PPF Calculator India 2026 — Public Provident Fund Returns
Calculate your PPF maturity amount with yearly breakdown. Supports annual step-up, extensions beyond 15 years, and shows complete tax-free returns at current 7.1% rate.
Calculate PPF Returns
Year-by-Year PPF Growth
| Year | Opening Balance | Deposit | Interest Earned | Closing Balance |
|---|
PPF (Public Provident Fund) — Complete Guide 2026
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of India's most popular long-term savings schemes, backed by the Government of India. It offers guaranteed, risk-free, and completely tax-free returns — making it a cornerstone of any Indian investor's portfolio.
PPF Interest Calculation
PPF interest is calculated on the minimum balance between the 5th and the last day of each month, but credited at the end of the financial year. This is why experts recommend depositing your PPF contribution before the 5th of April to maximise interest for the full year.
PPF Tax Benefits — EEE Status
PPF enjoys the rare EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax treatment under the old tax regime:
Important: Under the new tax regime (Budget 2025), Section 80C deduction is NOT available. However, the interest and maturity remain tax-free under both regimes.
PPF Key Rules at a Glance
- Minimum deposit: ₹500 per year (account becomes dormant if skipped)
- Maximum deposit: ₹1,50,000 per year (amounts above this don't earn interest)
- Lock-in period: 15 financial years (partial withdrawal from 7th year)
- Loan facility: Available from 3rd to 6th financial year, at PPF rate + 1%
- Extension: After 15 years, extendable in 5-year blocks with or without contributions
- Where to open: Post office, SBI, or any nationalised bank. Also available online via SBI, ICICI, HDFC
- NRI status: NRIs cannot open new PPF accounts. Existing accounts before becoming NRI can continue until maturity
PPF vs Other Tax-Saving Investments
- PPF vs FD: PPF offers 7.1% tax-free vs FD at 6.5-7.5% taxable. After tax (30% bracket), FD effective return drops to ~4.9%. PPF clearly wins for long-term tax-saving but has a 15-year lock-in vs FD's 5-year lock-in for tax-saver FD.
- PPF vs ELSS: ELSS has only a 3-year lock-in with potential 10-14% returns, but gains above ₹1.25 lakh are taxed at 10%. PPF is risk-free with guaranteed 7.1%. Choose based on risk tolerance.
- PPF vs NPS: NPS offers additional ₹50K deduction under 80CCD(1B) and potentially higher returns (8-10% in equity), but partial maturity is taxable. PPF is fully tax-free. Many investors use both.
- PPF vs SSY: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers 8.2% (higher than PPF) but is only for girl children. If eligible, SSY is better on returns; PPF is more flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions — PPF Calculator
What is the current PPF interest rate in 2026?
The current PPF interest rate is 7.1% per annum, compounded annually. It has been at this rate since April 2020. The rate is reviewed quarterly by the Government of India.
How much can I invest in PPF per year?
Minimum ₹500 and maximum ₹1,50,000 per financial year. You can invest in lump sum or up to 12 monthly instalments. Deposits exceeding ₹1.5 lakh will not earn interest and cannot be withdrawn.
Is PPF completely tax-free?
Yes. PPF has EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status. The deposit gets 80C deduction (old regime), interest is tax-free, and maturity is fully tax-free. No TDS, no LTCG, no tax at any stage.
Can I withdraw from PPF before 15 years?
Partial withdrawal is allowed from the 7th year onwards — up to 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th year or preceding year, whichever is lower. You can also take a loan from the 3rd to 6th year at PPF rate + 1%. Full premature closure is only allowed in exceptional cases like serious illness.
What happens after 15 years?
You can extend in 5-year blocks — with fresh contributions (continues earning 80C + interest) or without contributions (existing balance just earns interest). You can also withdraw the full amount. There's no limit on extensions.
PPF vs ELSS — which is better for tax saving?
PPF: guaranteed 7.1% tax-free, 15-year lock-in, zero risk. ELSS: potential 10-14% returns, 3-year lock-in, market risk, gains taxed at 10% above ₹1.25L. PPF is better for conservative investors; ELSS for growth-oriented investors with 5+ year horizon. Note: Under new tax regime, neither gets 80C benefit.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. PPF interest rate is subject to quarterly revision by the Government of India. Actual returns may vary based on deposit timing (before/after 5th of month). Priyanka Personal Finance does not sell any financial product. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making investment decisions.