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PPF calculator
Map tax-free corpus, EEE benefit, and the cost of stopping early.
Deposit details
Your PPF maturity
What your PPF is really worth
PPF is tax-free (EEE). See how inflation affects purchasing power.
Assumptions
Inflation
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Tax-free (EEE) No tax drag₹40,68,209 Interest stays fully yours
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Today’s Buying Power 6% inflation— What that money can buy in today’s rupees
How your PPF grows
Growth over tenure
Invested vs interest
Tax-free (EEE) split at maturity
Same annual outflow · real return side by side
PPF brochures show nominal maturity. What matters for goal planning is whether that corpus still buys your target after years of inflation — toggle inflation above, then compare against FD or equity SIP for the growth portion of your portfolio.
Where PPF fits vs FD / RD / SIP Open when you want the side-by-side
How PPF compares
PPF sits in the safe, tax-free corner of Indian savings. Use the same annual outflow in each calculator with realistic assumptions to see where it fits in your 80C and long-term plan.
| Dimension | PPF | FD / RD | Equity SIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax treatment | EEE — no tax on deposit, interest, maturity | Interest fully taxable at slab | LTCG on equity gains (rules vary) |
| Safety | Sovereign guarantee | Bank DICGC / Post Office | Market-linked — no guarantee |
| Typical return | ~7.1% p.a. (govt-set, quarterly) | ~5.5–7.5% p.a. | Historical ~12% CAGR — not promised |
| Liquidity | 15-year lock-in; partial withdrawal from yr 7 | RD/FD premature closure with penalty | Redeem anytime (exit load may apply) |
| After inflation | Often ~1% real p.a. — preserves wealth | Often near-zero or negative real yield after tax | Historically stronger over 10+ years |
| Best for | 80C + guaranteed tax-free corpus | Short fixed goals (1–3 years) | Retirement, education, 7+ year goals |
Compare side by side: FD calculator · RD calculator · SIP calculator
How to use this PPF calculator
Enter your numbers above — tax-free maturity, inflation impact, and charts update instantly in your browser.
- 1 Annual deposit, rate & tenure — match your PPF account (₹500–₹1.5L/yr; rate currently ~7.1%).
- 2 Read tax-free maturity — the summary under the inputs shows what the passbook quotes (EEE).
- 3 See real value — use Edit assumptions for CPI, then read Tax-free (EEE) → Buying Power.
- 4 Decide next — use the growth chart, then compare with SIP or read the extension guide.
Annual compounding model. Not tax advice — read the PPF extension without fresh contribution guide.
Learn more
What is PPF (Public Provident Fund)?
Government-backed, 15-year savings with EEE tax status: 80C deduction on contribution, tax-free interest, tax-free maturity.
Suits conservative long-term investors. Real growth after CPI is modest — often 1–2% p.a. — wealth preservation, not aggressive creation. PPF vs ELSS for 80C
PPF interest rate in India 2026
Set quarterly by the Ministry of Finance — currently 7.1% p.a. Interest is calculated on the minimum balance between the 5th and last day of each month, credited annually on March 31.
- Deposit window: ₹500–₹1.5 lakh per financial year.
- Best practice: Deposit before April 5 to earn interest for the full first month.
- Extension: After 15 years, extend in 5-year blocks — with or without fresh contributions.
PPF maturity examples (₹1.5L/year @ 7.1%)
| Tenure | Invested | Maturity (tax-free) | Real value @ 6% CPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 years | ₹22.5L | ~₹40.7L | ~₹17.0L |
| 20 years | ₹30.0L | ~₹65.9L | ~₹20.5L |
| 25 years | ₹37.5L | ~₹1.01Cr | ~₹23.5L |
Real values discount nominal maturity by cumulative inflation. Enter your own numbers above.
How PPF works
- Open at a nationalised bank, SBI, or post office — one account per person.
- Deposit annually ₹500–₹1.5L; before April 5 maximises first-year interest.
- 15-year lock-in — partial withdrawals from year 7; loans from year 3 under rules.
- Extend in 5-year blocks — without deposits, the full corpus keeps compounding tax-free.
How we calculate PPF maturity
Each year's deposit is added, then the balance compounds: Balancen = (Balancen−1 + deposit) × (1 + rate).
Real value = Maturity ÷ (1 + inflation)years. PPF has no income tax on interest — inflation is the primary adjustment for goal planning. All math runs in your browser.
FAQ
PPF calculator — frequently asked questions
Does PPF actually beat inflation?
At 7.1% nominal and historical CPI of 5–6%, PPF delivers a real return of roughly 1–2% p.a. That preserves purchasing power but doesn't significantly grow it. Turn on Apply inflation in the calculator to see exactly what your maturity is worth in today's rupees.
Is PPF risk-free?
Yes. PPF is backed by the Government of India with sovereign guarantee — among the safest savings instruments available in India.
PPF vs ELSS — which gives better returns?
ELSS has historically delivered 12–15% CAGR, well above PPF's 7.1%. But ELSS carries market risk and gains above ₹1.25L (LTCG) are taxed at 12.5%. PPF is for the risk-averse, guaranteed-return portion of your 80C allocation. Model an ELSS SIP with tax toggles for comparison.
What is the best PPF deposit strategy?
Deposit ₹1.5L before April 5 each year. PPF calculates monthly interest on the minimum balance between the 5th and last day of the month — an early deposit earns one extra month of compounding per year.
Should I extend PPF after 15 years?
Almost always yes. Extending without fresh deposits means your entire corpus keeps compounding tax-free. Every 5-year extension adds roughly 40% to your balance at 7.1%. Use the extension slider above to model it.
Is PPF better than FD?
PPF beats FD on tax efficiency (EEE vs fully taxable interest) but loses on liquidity. For a 30% bracket investor, 7.1% PPF is equivalent to roughly a 10% pre-tax FD rate. Compare in the FD calculator.
What is the PPF deposit limit?
Minimum ₹500 and maximum ₹1.5 lakh per financial year per account. A parent can open a minor's account, but combined deposits under the same PAN cannot exceed ₹1.5L/year.
How much will ₹1.5 lakh per year give after 15 years?
At 7.1% p.a., ₹1.5L/year for 15 years gives a tax-free maturity of approximately ₹40.7 lakh on ₹22.5L invested. After 6% inflation, real value is roughly ₹17 lakh in today's rupees.