FD and RD
Bank deposits with a fixed rate. Interest is added to your income and taxed at your slab. Good for money you need within a few years.
PPF
A 15-year government scheme. Up to ₹1.5 lakh a year, deduction under 80C, and interest and maturity are tax-free. Locked in, so use it for long goals.
NPS
A pension account invested in shares and bonds until 60. At least 40% of the corpus buys an annuity that pays a monthly pension; the rest can be withdrawn.