National Savings Certificates (NSC) are fixed-income investment schemes offered by the Government of India. They are designed to encourage savings among individuals and provide a safe investment option with guaranteed returns. NSCs can be purchased from post offices and have a fixed maturity period, typically ranging from 5 to 10 years. Investors can buy NSCs in denominations of ₹1000, ₹5000, ₹10,000, and ₹50,000. The interest earned on NSCs is compounded annually and is payable at maturity. Additionally, the investment qualifies for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making it an attractive option for tax-saving purposes.