Can NRIs invest in National Savings Certificate & claim tax benefits?

NRIs cannot open new National Savings Certificate (NSC) accounts or purchase fresh certificates, limiting their access to the scheme's tax benefits. However, NRIs who bought NSCs while resident Indians can continue holding them until maturity, but cannot renew them afterwards. NSC offers 7.7% annual interest for the July-September quarter and qualifies for Section 80C tax deductions for residents.