Prize Bond Prize Money & Categories

Prize Bond Prize Money & Categories

Pakistan's prize bond system offers several prize categories depending on the denomination of the bond.

When a prize bond draw takes place, winning numbers are generally divided into three main categories:

• First Prize
• Second Prize
• Third Prize

The first prize offers the highest amount but has the fewest winning numbers. The second prize is smaller but is awarded to more numbers, while the third prize has the lowest amount but normally has far more winners.

As of September 2026, National Savings lists the following prize bond denominations:

Ordinary Prize Bonds

• Rs. 100
• Rs. 200
• Rs. 750
• Rs. 1,500

Premium Prize Bonds

• Rs. 25,000
• Rs. 40,000

The Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 40,000 bonds are registered Premium Prize Bonds and work somewhat differently from ordinary bearer prize bonds.

This guide explains the current prize amounts, prize categories, number of winning numbers, withholding tax, and the difference between ordinary and Premium Prize Bonds.

What Are Prize Bond Categories?

A prize bond draw normally has three prize levels.

First Prize

The first prize is the highest-value prize available in the draw.

Only a very small number of winning numbers are selected for this category.

For example, an Rs. 750 prize bond currently has a first prize of:

Rs. 1,500,000

Second Prize

The second prize is smaller than the first prize but is awarded to more winning numbers.

For example, an Rs. 750 draw currently selects three second-prize common numbers, with each prize worth:

Rs. 500,000

The word each is important.

It means each successful second-prize number qualifies for the stated prize amount according to the scheme's draw structure.

Third Prize

The third prize has the largest number of winning numbers.

For example, the current Rs. 750 structure contains:

1,696 third-prize common numbers

with:

Rs. 9,300 each

The third-prize list is therefore much longer than the first- and second-prize sections.

Current Prize Bond Prize Money in Pakistan

The following summarizes the prize values shown in current National Savings/SBP draw material.

Current official draw documents confirm these structures for the ordinary Rs. 100, Rs. 200, Rs. 750 and Rs. 1,500 denominations, while National Savings and SBP publish the Premium Prize Bond structures separately.

Prize structures can be changed by the government, so these amounts should always be verified against the latest official information before relying on them.

Rs. 100 Prize Bond Prize Money

The Rs. 100 prize bond is the lowest-value ordinary prize bond currently listed by National Savings.

A 2026 official SBP draw document shows the following prize structure:

First Prize

Rs. 700,000

Number of common winning numbers per series structure:

1

Second Prize

Rs. 200,000 each

Number:

3

Third Prize

Rs. 1,000 each

Number:

1,199

The official February 2026 Rs. 100 draw showed a total of:

1,203 common winning numbers

consisting of:

1 + 3 + 1,199 = 1,203.

Example: Rs. 100 Prize Bond

Suppose you have:

Rs. 100 Bond No. 123456

If that number appears under:

First Prize

it qualifies for the Rs. 700,000 prize category, subject to the bond meeting the applicable eligibility and claim requirements.

If it appears under:

Third Prize

the applicable prize amount is:

Rs. 1,000

before applicable withholding tax.

Rs. 200 Prize Bond Prize Money

The current Rs. 200 prize structure is different from the Rs. 100 structure.

An official September 15, 2026 draw published by National Savings/SBP lists:

First Prize

Rs. 750,000

Number of first-prize common numbers:

1

Second Prize

Rs. 250,000 each

Number:

5

Third Prize

Rs. 1,250 each

Number:

2,400

The September 2026 official result specifically lists five second-prize winning numbers and 2,400 third prizes of Rs. 1,250 each.

This is important because older articles or third-party websites may show an older prize structure.

For current information, use the latest official draw documentation.

Rs. 750 Prize Bond Prize Money

The Rs. 750 prize bond currently offers:

First Prize

Rs. 1,500,000

Common winning numbers:

1

Second Prize

Rs. 500,000 each

Common winning numbers:

3

Third Prize

Rs. 9,300 each

Common winning numbers:

1,696

Total common winning numbers:

1,700

The official January 2026 Rs. 750 draw confirms this structure.

Example: Rs. 750 Prize Categories

Imagine a simplified result:

First Prize

111111

Second Prize

222222 333333 444444

Third Prize

1,696 additional numbers

If your eligible bond is:

333333

it falls under the second-prize category.

The gross prize would therefore be:

Rs. 500,000

before applicable tax.

Rs. 1,500 Prize Bond Prize Money

The Rs. 1,500 prize bond currently has one of the largest first prizes among ordinary bearer prize bonds.

An official August 17, 2026 draw shows:

First Prize

Rs. 3,000,000

Common winning numbers:

1

Second Prize

Rs. 1,000,000 each

Common winning numbers:

3

Third Prize

Rs. 18,500 each

Common winning numbers:

1,696

Total:

1,700 common winning numbers

The official draw document also shows that the selected common numbers apply across the eligible series in circulation.

Comparing Ordinary Prize Bonds

Here is a simple comparison.

The larger denomination generally offers larger prize amounts, but purchasing a more expensive bond does not guarantee that it will win.

National Savings specifically states that there is no method to ensure that a purchased prize bond will win a prize.

What Does “Common Number” Mean?

Official draw documents sometimes use the term:

Common Number

This can be confusing.

Prize bonds are issued in different series.

Suppose the winning common number is:

123456

and several eligible series are in circulation.

The corresponding number in the eligible series can qualify according to the draw rules.

This is why an official draw document may show:

1 common first-prize number

but also show a much larger total number of physical prizes across all active series.

Example From the Rs. 750 Draw

The January 2026 Rs. 750 draw applied to:

177 series

and selected:

1 first-prize common number

Since the same successful number applies across eligible series, the document shows:

177 first prizes of Rs. 1,500,000 each

across all 177 series.

Similarly:

3 second-prize common numbers × 177 series = 531 prizes

and:

1,696 third-prize common numbers × 177 series = 300,192 prizes

The official document therefore showed:

300,900 total physical prizes

across the eligible series, even though only:

1,700 common numbers

were drawn.

Why This Can Be Confusing

You may see one website saying:

1 first prize

while an official draw document says:

177 prizes of Rs. 1,500,000

Both figures can describe different parts of the same draw.

The first refers to:

1 common winning number

while the second refers to that successful common number being applied across all eligible series.

For an individual bondholder, the practical question remains simple:

Does my exact eligible bond number correspond to a winning number in my denomination's official draw?

Rs. 25,000 Premium Prize Bond

The Rs. 25,000 Premium Prize Bond is a registered product.

It currently has three prize categories.

According to an official March 2026 SBP draw:

First Prize

Rs. 30,000,000 each

Number of common winning numbers per series:

2

Second Prize

Rs. 10,000,000 each

Number:

5

Third Prize

Rs. 300,000 each

Number:

700

Total common numbers:

707

The official draw covered three active series at the time, producing six physical first prizes, 15 second prizes, and 2,100 third prizes across those series.

Rs. 40,000 Premium Prize Bond

The Rs. 40,000 Premium Prize Bond currently offers the largest first prize among the listed prize bond products.

Its current structure is:

First Prize

Rs. 80,000,000

Number:

1

Second Prize

Rs. 30,000,000 each

Number:

3

Third Prize

Rs. 500,000 each

Number:

660

Total:

664 winning numbers

The current SBP Premium Prize Bond schedule confirms this structure, and official 2026 draw results show the Rs. 80 million first prize, Rs. 30 million second prize and Rs. 500,000 third prize categories.

Premium Prize Bond Comparison

These figures describe the published common prize schedule. The total physical prizes can depend on the series included in a particular draw.

Ordinary Prize Bond vs Premium Prize Bond

Ordinary and Premium Prize Bonds both provide prize-draw participation, but Premium Prize Bonds have additional features.

National Savings states that Premium Prize Bonds are registered, have quarterly prize draws and biannual profit payments, and their prize money and profit are credited directly to the investor's bank account.

Why Does the Third Prize Have More Winners?

The prize structure is designed so that large prizes are rare while smaller prizes are distributed among many more winning numbers.

For example, compare the Rs. 750 bond:

First Prize

1 common winning number

Second Prize

3 common winning numbers

Third Prize

1,696 common winning numbers

Therefore, most of the winning numbers in a draw belong to the third-prize category.

This is also why the third-prize section of a draw list is often several pages long.

Does a First-Prize Winner Also Receive the Bond Value?

The prize money and the face value of the bond are separate concepts.

For example, if an eligible:

Rs. 750 Prize Bond

wins a:

Rs. 1,500,000 first prize

the Rs. 1.5 million is the prize amount.

The Rs. 750 printed on the bond represents its face value.

The treatment of the original winning bond and subsequent encashment should be handled according to the official claim rules.

Is Prize Bond Prize Money Tax-Free?

No.

Prize money is currently subject to withholding tax.

National Savings states that the current withholding tax rates on prize money are:

15% for filers

and:

30% for non-filers.

The tax is deducted from the prize amount at the time of payment.

Example: Tax on Rs. 1,500,000 Prize

Suppose an Rs. 750 bond wins:

Rs. 1,500,000

Filer

Current tax rate:

15%

Tax:

Rs. 1,500,000 × 15% = Rs. 225,000

Approximate amount after withholding:

Rs. 1,275,000

Non-Filer

Current tax rate:

30%

Tax:

Rs. 1,500,000 × 30% = Rs. 450,000

Approximate amount after withholding:

Rs. 1,050,000

The difference between filer and non-filer status in this example is:

Rs. 225,000

Example: Tax on Rs. 3 Million Prize

Suppose an Rs. 1,500 bond wins:

Rs. 3,000,000

Filer

Tax:

3,000,000 × 15% = Rs. 450,000

Approximate amount after withholding:

Rs. 2,550,000

Non-Filer

Tax:

3,000,000 × 30% = Rs. 900,000

Approximate amount after withholding:

Rs. 2,100,000

Tax status can therefore make a substantial difference to the net payment.

Example: Rs. 80 Million Premium Prize

Suppose someone wins the Rs. 40,000 Premium Prize Bond first prize:

Rs. 80,000,000

Using the currently stated rates:

Filer

Tax:

80,000,000 × 15%

= Rs. 12,000,000

Approximate amount after withholding:

Rs. 68,000,000

Non-Filer

Tax:

80,000,000 × 30%

= Rs. 24,000,000

Approximate amount after withholding:

Rs. 56,000,000

These figures are illustrative calculations based on the current withholding rates. Actual tax treatment should always be verified when the prize is paid.

Gross Prize vs Net Prize

When a draw says:

Prize = Rs. 1,000,000

this is generally the:

Gross Prize Amount

Your actual amount after withholding tax can be lower.

A useful formula is:

Net Prize = Gross Prize - Withholding Tax

For a filer at the current 15% rate:

Net Prize ≈ Gross Prize × 85%

For a non-filer at the current 30% rate:

Net Prize ≈ Gross Prize × 70%

These simplified calculations assume the current withholding rates apply without another relevant adjustment.

Does the Prize Get Shared Between Winners?

Usually, when the draw states:

Rs. 500,000 each

the amount is not divided among the listed winning numbers.

For example:

Second Prize: Rs. 500,000 each

with three winning common numbers means each qualifying winning number is associated with the Rs. 500,000 prize category.

It does not mean:

Rs. 500,000 ÷ 3

Always look for the word:

each

in the official result.

Why Are Premium Prize Amounts Much Higher?

Premium Prize Bonds have much higher face values.

Compare:

Ordinary Rs. 100 bond

with:

Premium Rs. 40,000 bond

The investment represented by one Premium Prize Bond is considerably larger, and its prize structure is correspondingly much larger.

For example:

Rs. 100 first prize: Rs. 700,000

while:

Rs. 40,000 Premium first prize: Rs. 80,000,000

However, the larger prize does not mean that winning is guaranteed.

Do More Expensive Prize Bonds Have Better Chances?

The relationship is not as simple as:

More expensive bond = guaranteed better chance

Each denomination has its own prize structure and number of winning numbers.

For example:

• Rs. 100 has many third-prize winning common numbers.
• Rs. 200 currently has 2,400 third-prize numbers.
• Rs. 750 and Rs. 1,500 each have 1,696 third-prize common numbers.
• Rs. 25,000 Premium has 700 third-prize common numbers.
• Rs. 40,000 Premium has 660.

The prize amount and the number of prizes must therefore be considered separately.

A more expensive denomination usually offers larger prizes, but that alone does not mean that a specific bond is more likely to win.

Can One Prize Bond Win More Than Once?

National Savings states that a bond that has won prize money in two different draws can have both claims lodged separately, provided they are within the applicable six-year claim period.

This means a valid bond is not necessarily permanently excluded simply because it previously won.

The holder should keep appropriate records and follow the official claim process for each draw.

How Long Do You Have to Claim Prize Money?

National Savings currently states that the maximum period for claiming a prize is:

Six years from the date of the draw.

For example, if a bond won in:

September 2026

you should not simply keep it unchecked for many years.

Verify the result and complete the claim well within the applicable deadline.

When Can You Submit a Prize Claim?

National Savings states that prize-money claims can normally be submitted a few working days after the draw.

Its FAQ currently describes claims as being accepted approximately:

3 to 5 working days after the draw

depending on completion of the necessary processing.

There is therefore normally a short processing period between the draw date and the start of claims.

What Documents Are Needed?

For ordinary prize bonds, National Savings currently identifies documentation including:

• Original winning prize bond
• Valid CNIC copy
• Prescribed prize claim form
• Signed photocopy of the winning bond

The exact payment channel can depend on the prize amount and current rules.

Always confirm the latest requirements before visiting a claim office.

Premium Prize Bond Winners Work Differently

Premium Prize Bonds are registered to the investor.

National Savings states that:

No separate prize claim application is normally required.

Instead:

Prize Money → Registered Investor's Bank Account

The same general direct-credit system applies to Premium Prize Bond profit payments.

This is one of the major advantages of the registered structure.

Can You Win Without Meeting the Eligibility Period?

Simply matching a winning number is not enough if the bond was not eligible for that draw.

National Savings currently states that bonds generally need to have been issued at least:

60 days before the draw date

to be entitled to prize money.

For example:

Winning number:

123456

Your bond:

123456

But if the bond was issued too recently to satisfy the eligibility requirement, the numerical match alone does not necessarily create a valid prize claim.

Prize Amount vs Prize Bond Value

Do not confuse:

Prize Bond Denomination

with:

Prize Money

For example:

Rs. 750 Prize Bond

Bond face value:

Rs. 750

Potential first-prize category:

Rs. 1,500,000

Rs. 1,500 Prize Bond

Face value:

Rs. 1,500

Potential first prize:

Rs. 3,000,000

Rs. 40,000 Premium Prize Bond

Face value:

Rs. 40,000

Potential first prize:

Rs. 80,000,000

The denomination is the amount represented by the bond itself.

The prize is a separate amount awarded through the draw.

First Prize vs Second Prize vs Third Prize

The easiest way to remember the categories is:

First Prize

Highest amount + Fewest winning numbers

Second Prize

Medium amount + More winners than first prize

Third Prize

Smaller amount + Largest number of winning numbers

This pattern is visible across almost all current denominations.

Why the First Prize Is Harder to Win

There may be only:

1

or a very small number of first-prize common numbers in a draw.

By comparison, there can be hundreds or thousands of third-prize winning numbers.

For example, the Rs. 1,500 draw contains:

1 first-prize number

compared with:

1,696 third-prize numbers.

This is why the top prize is much rarer than the third prize.

Does Buying More Bonds Guarantee a Prize?

No.

Suppose:

Person A owns:

1 prize bond

Person B owns:

100 different prize bonds

Person B has more numbers participating and therefore more opportunities for one of those numbers to match a winning number.

However:

100 bonds do not guarantee a prize.

National Savings explicitly says there is no method to ensure that a prize bond will win.

Can Someone Predict Which Prize Category You Will Win?

No reliable method can predict future winning numbers.

Historical draw lists can tell you:

• Which numbers won previously
• How many prizes were awarded
• Which prize categories existed

They cannot guarantee:

• The next first-prize number
• The next second-prize number
• The next third-prize number

Be cautious of websites, WhatsApp groups, or individuals selling:

“Guaranteed winning numbers”

or:

“100% prize bond formulas.”

How to Check Which Category Your Bond Won

Suppose your number appears in an official draw.

You should check the heading immediately above it.

For example:

First Prize of Rs. 1,500,000

123456

means:

123456 → First Prize

If the number appears under:

Third Prize of Rs. 9,300 each

then it belongs to the third-prize category.

Do not identify a prize category from an unofficial message alone.

Always Check the Complete Result

People sometimes look only at the first-prize number because it is displayed prominently in news reports.

However, most winning numbers are in the third-prize section.

For example, the Rs. 750 draw has:

1 first-prize common number

but:

1,696 third-prize common numbers.

Therefore, checking only the headline winners could cause you to miss a genuine third-prize result.

Where Can You Check Official Prize Amounts and Results?

National Savings publishes:

• Current prize bond denominations
• Draw schedules
• Draw Search
• Downloadable draw results
• Premium Prize Bond information
• Tax information

Its official Download Draws section currently covers:

Rs. 100, Rs. 200, Rs. 750, Rs. 1,500, Rs. 25,000 Premium and Rs. 40,000 Premium.

Official results should be your primary reference when a prize is involved.

Common Misunderstandings About Prize Bond Categories

“First Prize Means Only One Person in All of Pakistan Can Win”

Not necessarily.

Ordinary prize bond draws can use a common-number system across multiple series.

One common number can therefore correspond to multiple physical bonds across eligible series.

“Second Prize Is Divided Among All Second-Prize Winners”

No.

If the draw says:

Rs. X each

each qualifying winning number receives the stated prize amount under the applicable structure.

“Every Prize Bond Eventually Wins”

No.

There is no guarantee that an individual bond will ever win.

“Higher Denomination Means Guaranteed Better Chance”

No.

Higher denominations generally have larger prize amounts, but each denomination has its own number of prizes and draw structure.

“Prize Money Is Paid Without Tax”

No.

Current National Savings policy states that withholding tax applies.

“The Number on an Old WhatsApp List Is Enough Proof”

No.

Verify the number against an official National Savings result.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three prize bond categories?

The main categories are:

First Prize

Second Prize

Third Prize

The first prize has the highest value, while the third prize generally has the largest number of winners.

What is the first prize for an Rs. 100 bond?

The current first-prize amount is:

Rs. 700,000.

What is the first prize for an Rs. 200 bond?

The current first prize is:

Rs. 750,000.

What is the first prize for an Rs. 750 bond?

The current first prize is:

Rs. 1,500,000.

What is the first prize for an Rs. 1,500 bond?

The current first prize is:

Rs. 3,000,000.

What is the first prize for an Rs. 25,000 Premium Prize Bond?

The current first-prize amount is:

Rs. 30,000,000 each

with two first-prize common numbers in the published prize schedule.

What is the first prize for an Rs. 40,000 Premium Prize Bond?

The current first prize is:

Rs. 80,000,000.

How many third prizes does an Rs. 750 bond have?

The current draw structure contains:

1,696 third-prize common numbers

at:

Rs. 9,300 each.

How many third prizes does an Rs. 1,500 bond have?

The current structure contains:

1,696 third-prize common numbers

at:

Rs. 18,500 each.

How many third prizes does an Rs. 200 bond have?

The September 2026 official draw lists:

2,400 third prizes of Rs. 1,250 each.

How much tax is deducted from a prize bond?

National Savings currently states:

15% for filers

and:

30% for non-filers.

Is tax deducted from Premium Prize Bond winnings?

Yes.

National Savings states that withholding tax applies to Premium Prize Bond prize money as well as profit.

How long can I claim an ordinary prize bond prize?

The current maximum claim period is:

Six years from the draw date.

Does a Premium Prize Bond winner need to submit a claim form?

National Savings states that Premium Prize Bond prize money is credited directly to the registered bank account without a separate claim form.

Can a prize bond win in more than one draw?

National Savings states that claims for the same bond winning in different draws can be submitted separately within the applicable claim period.

Is winning guaranteed?

No.

National Savings specifically states that there is no way to ensure a purchased prize bond will win.

Conclusion

Pakistan's prize bond system is built around three main prize categories:

First Prize → Highest prize amount

Second Prize → Medium prize amount

Third Prize → Smaller prize amount but many more winning numbers

The current ordinary prize bond first prizes range from:

Rs. 700,000 for the Rs. 100 bond

to:

Rs. 3,000,000 for the Rs. 1,500 bond.

Premium Prize Bonds offer significantly larger prizes, including:

Rs. 30 million for the Rs. 25,000 Premium Prize Bond

and:

Rs. 80 million for the Rs. 40,000 Premium Prize Bond.

However, the amount shown in the draw result is the gross prize.

Under the current National Savings policy, withholding tax is:

15% for filers

and:

30% for non-filers.

It is also important to understand the common-number and series system. A draw may select one first-prize common number, but that number can correspond to winning bonds across multiple eligible series. This is why official documents sometimes show a much larger total number of physical prizes than the number of common winning numbers drawn.

When checking a result, always confirm:

Denomination → Draw Date → Exact Bond Number → Prize Category → Eligibility → Tax → Claim Procedure

And remember:

A larger prize bond can offer a larger prize, but no denomination guarantees that a particular bond will win.

Disclaimer: Prize bond denominations, prize amounts, number of prizes, active series, draw schedules, eligibility requirements, withholding tax rates, profit rates, and claim procedures may change over time. Figures in this article are based on current official National Savings and State Bank of Pakistan information available at the time of writing and are provided for educational purposes. Winning a prize is not guaranteed. Always verify the latest prize structure, official draw result, tax treatment, eligibility requirements, and claim procedure through National Savings, the State Bank of Pakistan, or another authorized Government of Pakistan source before taking any financial action.