PPF Calculator
Model yearly contributions (up to ₹1.5 lakh/year), tenure, and annual interest. See total invested, interest, maturity, and a year-by-year breakdown — illustrative only; verify with your bank or post office.
Inputs
PPF annual ceiling is ₹1,50,000 (verify current limit).
Minimum block is typically 15 years; extensions possible under rules.
Default 7.1% — update when GOI notifies a new rate.
Results
Maturity amount (estimated)
Year-by-year breakdown
| Year | Invested that year | Interest | Closing balance |
|---|
Understanding the Public Provident Fund (PPF)
The Public Provident Fund is one of India’s most popular long-term debt instruments for individuals who want a government-backed wrapper with tax advantages. You can open a PPF account at designated banks and post offices, subject to eligibility (resident individuals; rules for minors via guardian). The account has a minimum tenure (often quoted as 15 years) with options to extend in blocks — this calculator lets you set any horizon between 15 and 50 years so you can stress-test retirement planning scenarios, but always confirm extension mechanics with your account provider.
Interest rate is notified by the government and can change quarterly. As of common references around 2025–2026, 7.1% per annum is widely cited for PPF, but you must replace the default in this tool whenever a fresh notification appears. Interest is not paid as simple interest on each deposit in isolation; balances compound over time. This page uses an annual compounding model with yearly contributions at the start of each year, then interest applied for that year — a standard teaching simplification. Real PPF interest accrual uses monthly balance rules (e.g., lowest balance between the 5th and last day of the month) with annual credit; small differences versus your passbook are normal.
Tax treatment (EEE conceptually): contributions up to the Section 80C limit (₹1.5 lakh/year shared with other 80C instruments) may be deductible in the old tax regime subject to conditions. Accrued interest and maturity proceeds have enjoyed tax-free treatment under existing law for qualifying accounts — verify each year’s Finance Act and your CA, especially if rules change. This is not tax advice.
Withdrawals and loans: PPF is illiquid by design. Partial withdrawals are permitted after a certain number of years subject to caps; loans against balance were traditionally available in early years under rules. Premature closure is allowed only in specific situations such as medical emergencies or higher education — again, confirm with current operational guidelines. That illiquidity is exactly why PPF pairs well with retirement planning: it discourages impulsive spending while building a corpus.
Why PPF stays popular: predictable sovereign-linked returns (relative to equity), simplicity, and tax treatment have made it a default first step for many salaried investors before they add equity via mutual funds. Compare PPF with EPF, NPS, and fixed income funds on risk, liquidity, and post-tax return — use our SIP and lumpsum tools for equity-side scenarios. Nothing here recommends a product; numbers are for learning only.
FAQ
Is maturity guaranteed?
PPF is a defined contribution scheme with notified rates; returns aren’t “guaranteed” forever because rates change, but principal is sovereign-backed subject to scheme rules.
Can I invest monthly?
Many people deposit monthly; this calculator aggregates to a yearly total for simplicity. Spread contributions before the 5th if you follow common optimization advice — validate with your bank.
Does this include tax saved on 80C?
No — it shows corpus growth only, not your personal tax benefit from deduction.