New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- As a conservative investor, there are a few investment options that you can explore, including sovereign bonds, debt mutual funds, fixed deposits (FDs), small savings schemes and public provident fund (PPF), among others.

Here, we compare two popular investment options - PPF and fixed deposits - based on key parameters: rate of return, tax treatment and lock-in period.

These options are recommended for investors who are looking for safe and assured returns on their investment. Although most fixed deposits (FDs) deliver anywhere in the range of 6 to 7% annual return, the return is guaranteed, thus incentivising investors to allocate a portion of their portfolio to these schemes.

The reason to opt for PPF is to keep ...