GOI kept Interest Rates on Small Savings Scheme Unchanged for Q2 2021-22

Current Context: To grant the relief to savers, the GOI announced to keep interest rates on small savings schemes including NSC and PPF unchanged for the second quarter of 2021-22. The decision was taken amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Public Provident Fund (PPF) will continue to carry an annual interest rate of 7.1%.
• The National Savings Certificate (NSC) will continue to carry an annual interest rate of 6.8%.
• The interest rate associated with the Post Office Saving account will be 4%.
• The 5 year Post office recurring deposit account will have an interest rate of 5.8%.
• The girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account will have an interest rate of 7.6%. The Kisan Vikas Patra will be associated with an interest rate of 6.9%.
• The interest rate on the five-year senior citizen's savings scheme would be retained at 7.4 %.
• The Term deposits of one to five years will have an interest rate in the range of 5.5-6.7%, which is to be paid quarterly.

Question: 

Q.1 What is the interest rate charged on the Public Provident Fund (PPF), as per the announcement made by GOI for the interest rate charged in the second quarter of 2021-22?
a. 7.2%
b. 7.1%
c. 7.3%
d. 7.4%