PPF Calculator
Calculate your Public Provident Fund maturity amount and yearly interest for any investment period.
Current rate: 7.1% p.a. (Jul–Sep 2026)
What is PPF?
Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term government-backed savings scheme in India. It offers tax-free returns under the EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) category — your deposits qualify for 80C deduction, the interest earned is tax-free, and the maturity amount is fully exempt from tax.
Key PPF Rules
- Minimum deposit: ₹500 per year · Maximum: ₹1,50,000 per year
- Lock-in period: 15 years (extendable in 5-year blocks)
- Current interest rate: 7.1% per annum (compounded annually)
- Partial withdrawal allowed after 7th year
- Loan facility available from 3rd to 6th year
- Account can be opened at Post Offices and designated banks
What is PPF (Public Provident Fund)?
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a government-backed long-term savings scheme introduced in 1968, managed by the Ministry of Finance. It offers a unique triple tax benefit — tax deduction on investment (Section 80C), tax-free interest, and tax-free maturity. PPF currently offers 7.1% annual interest (compounded annually), making it one of the safest and most tax-efficient investment options in India.
PPF Interest Rate History
| Period | Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| April 2023 – Present | 7.10% |
| April 2020 – March 2023 | 7.10% |
| Oct 2018 – March 2020 | 7.90 – 8.00% |
| April 2016 – Sept 2018 | 7.60 – 8.10% |
PPF Calculator Formula
A = P x [{(1 + r)^n – 1} / r]
Where: P = Annual contribution, r = Annual interest rate, n = Number of years
Example: Rs. 1.5 Lakh/year for 15 years at 7.1%
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Investment (15 years) | Rs. 22,50,000 |
| Interest Earned | Rs. 18,18,000 |
| Maturity Amount | Rs. 40,68,000 |
PPF Rules and Features
- Lock-in period: 15 years (extendable in 5-year blocks)
- Minimum deposit: Rs. 500/year
- Maximum deposit: Rs. 1,50,000/year
- Deposit frequency: Lump sum or up to 12 installments/year
- Interest calculation: On lowest balance between 5th and last day of month
- Partial withdrawal: Allowed from 7th year onwards (50% of balance at end of 4th year)
- Loan facility: Available between 3rd and 6th year
- Account opening: Post offices, SBI, and select nationalized banks
PPF Tax Benefits (EEE Status)
PPF enjoys Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) tax treatment, which is the most favorable tax status any investment can have:
- Exempt 1: Investment up to Rs. 1.5 lakh qualifies for deduction under Section 80C
- Exempt 2: Annual interest earned is completely tax-free
- Exempt 3: Maturity amount is 100% tax-free
PPF vs Other Safe Investments
| Feature | PPF | EPF | Tax-Saving FD | NSC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate | 7.10% | 8.25% | 6.5-7% | 7.70% |
| Lock-in | 15 years | Till retirement | 5 years | 5 years |
| Tax on Interest | Tax-free | Tax-free* | Taxable | Taxable |
| Section 80C | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I deposit money in PPF for maximum interest?
Deposit before the 5th of every month. PPF interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and last day of each month. If you invest annually, deposit the full Rs. 1.5 lakh before April 5th to earn interest for the maximum number of months.
Can I open PPF account for my child?
Yes, a guardian (parent) can open a PPF account for a minor child. However, the combined deposit in parent’s own PPF and child’s PPF account cannot exceed Rs. 1.5 lakh per year. The 80C deduction is also shared.
What happens after 15 years? Can I extend PPF?
After 15 years, you can: (1) Withdraw the full amount tax-free, (2) Extend for 5-year blocks without fresh contributions (existing balance earns interest), or (3) Extend with fresh contributions of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh/year. Extensions can continue indefinitely.
Can NRIs invest in PPF?
NRIs cannot open new PPF accounts. However, if you had a PPF account before becoming an NRI, you can continue it till maturity (15 years) but cannot extend it. The account becomes a resident account after repatriation.
Is PPF better than ELSS mutual funds?
PPF offers guaranteed 7.1% tax-free returns with zero risk — ideal for conservative investors. ELSS offers potentially higher returns (12-15% historically) with a shorter 3-year lock-in but carries market risk and LTCG tax. A balanced approach includes both: PPF for safety and ELSS for growth.
Disclaimer: PPF interest rate is reviewed quarterly by the government and subject to change. The calculations above assume a constant interest rate throughout the tenure. Actual returns may vary if rates change.
How to Use This PPF Calculator
Using this PPF calculator is simple. Enter your yearly investment amount (minimum Rs 500, maximum Rs 1.5 lakh per financial year), select your investment period (minimum 15 years, extendable in 5-year blocks), and the current PPF interest rate. The PPF calculator instantly shows your maturity amount, total interest earned, and a year-by-year breakdown of how your corpus grows with annual compounding.
This PPF calculator is particularly useful when comparing different investment scenarios. For example, you can see how investing Rs 50,000 per year differs from investing the maximum Rs 1,50,000 per year over 15, 20, or 25 years. The PPF calculator also helps you understand the impact of PPF interest rate changes on your final maturity amount.
PPF Calculator: Trusted Resources and Official Guidelines
The PPF scheme is governed by the Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 and administered by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Interest rates are set quarterly by the government and published by the National Savings Institute (NSI). You can open a PPF account at any designated bank or through India Post offices across the country.
For tax benefits on PPF investments, refer to the Income Tax Department guidelines on Section 80C deductions. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also provides information on small savings schemes including PPF. For comparing PPF returns with mutual fund performance, visit AMFI India.
Related Financial Calculators and Articles
Explore more tools and guides on MoneyPundit to plan your finances better with our PPF calculator and other resources:
- SIP Calculator — Compare SIP returns with PPF maturity
- FD Calculator — See how fixed deposit returns compare with PPF
- NSC Interest Rate 2026 — Another popular small savings scheme
- Section 80C Deductions Guide — Maximize your tax savings with PPF
- PPF vs FD vs ELSS — Which tax-saving investment is best for you?
- Power of Compounding — Understand how PPF grows your wealth over time
Reviewed by: MoneyPundit Team | Last updated: July 2, 2026
Data source: Ministry of Finance quarterly Small Savings Schemes notification (indiapost.gov.in).
Methodology: Annual compounding applied to the current government-notified PPF rate. The government revises this rate quarterly — always confirm the live rate before making a large deposit.
