SBI's Amrit Vrishti FD Scheme Revised: Lower Returns for General Investors, Seniors Still Benefit

India's largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has revised the interest rates for its special Fixed Deposit (FD) scheme, Amrit Vrishti. The new rates will come into effect from June 15, 2025, and reflect a reduction in returns for general investors. This move follows the RBI’s recent 50 basis points repo rate cut, which has prompted many banks — including HDFC, ICICI, and Canara Bank — to lower their deposit rates as well.

🏦 What is SBI’s Amrit Vrishti FD Scheme?

This is a special term deposit offered for a specific 444-day tenure. It is designed for investors looking for medium-term, fixed, and safe returns.

Earlier, general depositors were getting 6.85% annual interest under this scheme. It has now been reduced to 6.60%.

👵🏻 Senior Citizens Still Earn More

• Senior citizens (above 60 years) will now get 7.10% annual interest.

• Super senior citizens (80 years and above) will earn an additional 10 basis points, bringing their total to 7.20% per annum.

⚠️ Premature Withdrawal Penalty

SBI has outlined penalties for early withdrawal of this FD:

• For deposits up to ₹5 lakh: 0.50% penalty.

• For deposits above ₹5 lakh and below ₹3 crore: 1% penalty.

• No interest will be paid for FDs withdrawn before 7 days.

📊 Current SBI Regular FD Interest Rates (As of June 2025)

FD Tenure	General Public Rate	Senior Citizen Rate
7 to 45 days	3.30%	3.80%
46 to 179 days	5.30%	5.80%
180 to 210 days	6.05%	6.55%
211 days to <1 year	6.30%	6.80%
1 to <2 years	6.50%	7.00%
2 to <3 years	6.70%	7.20%
3 to <5 years	6.55%	7.05%
5 to 10 years	6.30%	7.30%

SBI’s “We Care” scheme continues to offer additional interest benefits for senior citizens.

📉 Impact of Repo Rate Cut

The RBI's recent repo rate reduction has led to lower deposit and lending rates across banks. While this may reduce returns for short- to medium-term FD investors, senior citizens still benefit from better rates, making these FDs attractive for retirement planning.

📌 What Should Investors Do Now?

• Evaluate tenure and early withdrawal penalties before investing.

• Senior citizens should consider longer tenures to maximize returns.

• Compare rates with other banks to find the best options.

Conclusion:
With the reduced rate, SBI’s Amrit Vrishti FD may offer slightly lower appeal for general investors, but it remains a stable and reliable option for senior and super senior citizens seeking secure returns in a volatile market.

Sources: SBI Official Website | RBI | Financial News Portals