PPF Calculator India 2026
Calculate your PPF maturity amount at the current 7.1% interest rate with year-by-year breakdown. Learn the optimal deposit timing strategy, plan post-maturity extensions, and understand Section 80C tax benefits with EEE status.
📊 PPF Calculator India
Min ₹500 · Max ₹1,50,000
Current: 7.1% (Q1 2026)
Min 15 years (5yr extensions)
PPF Maturity Summary
Total Invested
₹22.50 L
Interest Earned
₹18.18 L
Maturity Value
₹40.68 L
💰 You invest ₹22,50,000 over 15 years and earn ₹18,18,208 in tax-free interest. Your money grows by 81% — all completely exempt under EEE status.
📊 Year-by-Year Breakdown (15 years)
What Is PPF (Public Provident Fund)?
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is India's most popular long-term, government-backed savings scheme. Established under the Public Provident Fund Act, 1968, it offers a combination of safety, guaranteed returns, and triple tax exemption (EEE) that no other investment instrument matches.
Key characteristics:
- Sovereign guarantee: Backed by the Government of India — zero risk of default
- Current rate: 7.1% per annum (compounded annually, reviewed quarterly)
- Lock-in: 15 years (extendable in 5-year blocks)
- Tax status: EEE — Exempt at investment, interest, and maturity
- Deposit limits: ₹500 minimum to ₹1,50,000 maximum per financial year
PPF Calculator Formula
A = P × [((1 + r)n − 1) / r] × (1 + r)
Where:
- A — Maturity amount
- P — Annual investment amount
- r — Annual interest rate (e.g., 7.1% = 0.071)
- n — Number of years
Worked Example — ₹1.5 Lakh per Year for 15 Years
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Investment | ₹1,50,000 |
| Interest Rate | 7.1% per annum |
| Tenure | 15 years |
| Total Invested | ₹22,50,000 (₹1.5L × 15) |
| Total Interest Earned | ₹18,18,209 (tax-free) |
| Maturity Amount | ₹40,68,209 |
| Effective Growth | 81% above invested amount |
The "5th of Month" Rule — Maximize Your PPF Returns
This is the single most important tip for PPF investors that most calculators and guides miss:
PPF interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and the last day of each month.
What this means practically:
- Best strategy: Deposit your entire ₹1.5 lakh on April 5 (or before the 5th of April). This ensures your full balance earns interest for all 12 months.
- Next best: If you can't manage a lump sum, deposit before the 5th of each month.
- Worst strategy: Depositing at the end of March means your investment earns interest for only ~1 month in that financial year.
- Impact: Over 15 years, the timing difference between an April 5 lump sum and a March deposit can be ₹2–3 lakh for a ₹1.5L annual contribution.
PPF Interest Rate History — 2012 to 2026
The PPF interest rate has been revised quarterly since 2016, but has remained at 7.1% for an unusually long period:
| Period | Rate (% p.a.) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2020 – Mar 2026 | 7.1% | Unchanged for 6 years |
| Jan 2020 – Mar 2020 | 7.9% | ↓ 0.8% |
| Jul 2019 – Dec 2019 | 7.9% | Maintained |
| Apr 2019 – Jun 2019 | 8.0% | ↓ 0.1% |
| Oct 2018 – Mar 2019 | 8.0% | ↑ 0.4% |
| Jan 2018 – Sep 2018 | 7.6% | ↓ 0.2% |
| Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 | 7.8% | ↓ 0.1% |
| Apr 2017 – Jun 2017 | 7.9% | ↓ 0.1% |
| Oct 2016 – Mar 2017 | 8.0% | ↓ 0.1% |
| Apr 2016 – Sep 2016 | 8.1% | ↓ 0.6% |
| Apr 2015 – Mar 2016 | 8.7% | Maintained |
| Apr 2014 – Mar 2015 | 8.7% | ↓ 0.1% |
| Apr 2013 – Mar 2014 | 8.7% | ↓ 0.1% |
| Apr 2012 – Mar 2013 | 8.8% | — |
Key Trend: PPF rates have fallen from 8.8% (2012) to 7.1% (2020–2026) — a decline of 1.7 percentage points. Despite this, PPF remains attractive because the 7.1% is completely tax-free. For someone in the 30% tax bracket, a PPF at 7.1% is equivalent to a pre-tax return of ~10.1%.
PPF Account Rules — Complete Reference
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Resident Indians only (NRIs cannot open new accounts) |
| Accounts per person | One account only (duplicates are merged) |
| Minor accounts | Guardian can open on behalf of minor (combined limit ₹1.5L) |
| Joint accounts | Not allowed — individual accounts only |
| Min deposit | ₹500 per financial year |
| Max deposit | ₹1,50,000 per financial year |
| Deposit frequency | Any number of times (min 1/year to keep active) |
| Tenure | 15 years (from end of FY of opening) |
| Extension | 5-year blocks (unlimited, with/without contributions) |
| Where to open | Post offices, SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, PNB, and authorized banks |
| Transfer | Between post offices and banks freely |
| Nomination | Mandatory — one or more nominees |
PPF vs EPF vs NPS vs ELSS — Comparison for Tax Saving
All four instruments qualify for Section 80C deduction. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | PPF | EPF | NPS | ELSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | 7.1% (fixed) | 8.15% (fixed) | 8–14% (market) | 12–18% (market) |
| Risk | Zero | Zero | Low–Medium | High |
| Lock-in | 15 years | Till retirement | Till age 60 | 3 years |
| 80C Benefit | ₹1.5L | ₹1.5L | ₹1.5L + ₹50K (80CCD) | ₹1.5L |
| Tax on Interest | Exempt | Exempt (if <₹2.5L/yr) | Partially taxable | LTCG >₹1L taxed |
| Tax on Maturity | EEE (Exempt) | EEE (if 5+ yrs) | 60% exempt | LTCG above ₹1L |
| Who Can Open | Any Indian | Salaried (mandatory) | Any Indian | Any Indian |
| Best For | Risk-averse, long-term | Salaried employees | Extra ₹50K deduction | Wealth creation |
PPF Tax Benefits — EEE Status Explained
| Stage | Tax Treatment | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | Tax deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh under Section 80C (old regime only) | Section 80C |
| Interest | Completely tax-free — no TDS, no income tax | Section 10 |
| Maturity | Entire maturity amount exempt from income tax | Section 10 |
New vs Old Tax Regime: Under the new tax regime, Section 80C deduction is not available, so PPF deposits don't reduce your taxable income. However, the interest and maturity amount remain tax-free under both regimes. If you opt for the new regime, PPF is still a good savings tool — just not a tax-saving one.
PPF Partial Withdrawal Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Earliest withdrawal | 7th financial year (after 5 full years of deposits) |
| Maximum amount | 50% of balance at end of 4th preceding year OR 50% of previous year balance — whichever is lower |
| Frequency | One withdrawal per financial year |
| Repayment | Not required — it's a withdrawal, not a loan |
| After extension | Up to 60% of balance at start of extension block (if extended with contributions) |
Loan Against PPF
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility period | 3rd to 6th financial year of account opening |
| Maximum loan | 25% of balance at end of 2nd preceding financial year |
| Interest rate | PPF rate + 1% (currently 7.1% + 1% = 8.1%) |
| Repayment | Within 36 months (principal + interest) |
| Second loan | Only after first loan is fully repaid |
| After 6th year | Loan facility stops — partial withdrawal begins from year 7 |
PPF Extension After 15 Years
After the 15-year maturity, you have three options:
| Option | How | Key Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Full Withdrawal | Close account, withdraw entire balance | Tax-free. Submit closure form to bank/PO. |
| Extend WITH contributions | Submit Form H within 1 year of maturity | Continue depositing ₹500–₹1.5L/year. One withdrawal of up to 60% per 5-year block. |
| Extend WITHOUT contributions | Do nothing (automatic) | Existing balance earns interest at prevailing rate. No new deposits allowed. Withdraw any amount, any time. |
Premature Closure Rules
- When: Only after completing 5 financial years of active deposits
- Reasons: Medical emergency (self/spouse/children/parents), Higher education (self/children), Change of residency status (NRI)
- Penalty: Interest rate reduced by 1% from the date of account opening on the entire balance
- Documentation: Medical certificates / admission letters / passport/visa proof required
Where to Open a PPF Account
- Post Office: Any post office. Visit with KYC documents + ₹500 initial deposit
- SBI: Online via SBI YONO or any SBI branch
- HDFC Bank: Net banking or branch (existing customers only)
- ICICI Bank: Online via iMobile or net banking
- Axis Bank, PNB, BoB: Branch or net banking
Documents required: PAN card, Aadhaar card, Address proof, Passport-size photo, Cheque/DD for initial deposit (min ₹500)
NRI & Minor Account Rules
| Category | Can Open? | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| NRI | ❌ Cannot open new | Existing accounts continue till maturity. Cannot extend. Must close after 15 years. |
| Minor (Indian) | ✅ Through guardian | Parent/guardian opens. Combined limit with parent's own PPF = ₹1.5L/year. |
| HUF | ❌ Not eligible | Hindu Undivided Family accounts discontinued since 2005. |
Related Calculators & Tools
- Home Loan EMI Calculator — Planning to buy a house? PPF can serve as partial down payment after 7 years.
- Personal Loan EMI Calculator — Consider PPF loan (8.1%) vs personal loan (10–24%) for short-term needs.
- Car Loan EMI Calculator — PPF partial withdrawal can fund car down payment.
- Age Calculator — Track your retirement age and align PPF maturity with retirement planning.