Nifty 50 index fundNSCShort duration fundBank FD
You'd have after 5 yrsIn today's money after 5 yrs✓₹1,76,234 (middle)–₹1,30,894–₹1,27,696 (middle)✕₹1,24,092
A year, after taxA year, after tax & inflation✓12.0%–5.3%–5.0%✕4.3%
How safe is the money?✕SEBI-regulated, can fall sharply✓Backed by the Government of India–SEBI-regulated, small ups and downs–Insured up to ₹5L per bank
Take money out early?✓Any time✕No, locked for 5 years✓Any time–Yes, with a small penalty
How it is taxed✓12.5% on gains above ₹1.25L a year (20% within a year)✕Slab rate on interest, every year–Slab rate on gains, when you sell✕Slab rate on interest, every year
Costs✕Fund fee, already in the return✓None✕Fund fee, already in the return✓None
Old-regime tax deduction✕No✓Yes, up to ₹1.5L a year✕No✕No (the 5-year tax-saver FD does)