PPF Calculator — Estimate Your Public Provident Fund Returns
Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of India’s safest and most tax-efficient long-term savings schemes. Use this PPF calculator to see how your yearly contribution grows into a substantial tax-free corpus over 15 years — with the option to extend in 5-year blocks.
PPF Calculator
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About the Author
Mithun Srivastava is the founder of InvestWithMithun.com, a free stock market education platform for Indian investors. With a passion for making finance accessible to everyone, Mithun creates practical guides, calculators, and glossary resources to help beginners start their investing journey with confidence.
What Is PPF?
Public Provident Fund is a 15-year, government-backed savings scheme open to all Indian residents. Returns are guaranteed (currently 7.1% p.a. as of April 2026), interest compounds annually, and both contributions and maturity are tax-free — the highest EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status under Indian tax law.
How the PPF Calculator Works
Enter your annual contribution (₹500 to ₹1,50,000), PPF interest rate (7.1%), and tenure (15 years default, extendable by 5-year blocks). The calculator shows your yearly balance, interest earned, and final tax-free maturity value.
The PPF Formula
A = P × [((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) ÷ r] (for equal annual deposits)
Example: ₹1.5 Lakh Annual PPF for 15 Years at 7.1%
- Annual deposit: ₹1,50,000
- Rate: 7.1%
- Tenure: 15 years
- Total deposited: ₹22,50,000
- Maturity value: ₹40,68,209 (completely tax-free)
- Interest earned: ₹18,18,209
PPF vs ELSS vs FD — The Comparison
| Feature | PPF | ELSS | Bank FD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock-in | 15 years | 3 years | 5 years (for 80C) |
| Expected return | 7.1% (guaranteed) | 12–15% | 6.5–7% |
| Risk | Zero | High | Very low |
| Maturity tax | Tax-free (EEE) | 12.5% LTCG above ₹1.25L | Taxable at slab |
Key PPF Rules Every Investor Should Know
- Minimum contribution: ₹500 per financial year
- Maximum: ₹1,50,000 per financial year
- Loan facility: Available from year 3 to year 6
- Partial withdrawal: Allowed after year 5 (up to 50%)
- Extension: After 15 years, extend by 5 years
- Interest calc: On lowest balance between 5th and last day of each month — deposit before 5th of the month
- Only one account per person: Penalty if you open multiple accounts
Tax Benefits of PPF (EEE)
- E: Contributions eligible for 80C deduction (up to ₹1.5 L/year)
- E: Annual interest is tax-free
- E: Maturity amount is completely tax-free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current PPF interest rate in 2026?
The PPF rate is 7.1% p.a. (reviewed every quarter by the Ministry of Finance). Rates have been between 7.1% and 8.0% over the past 5 years.
Can I have two PPF accounts?
No. One PPF account per person. Duplicate accounts face penalty — the second is closed and interest is forfeited.
Is PPF maturity amount taxable?
No. The full maturity amount (contribution + interest) is completely tax-free under the EEE regime.
Can NRIs open a PPF account?
No. NRIs cannot open new PPF accounts. An existing account opened before becoming NRI can continue till maturity but cannot be extended.
What happens if I do not deposit in a year?
The account becomes inactive. You can revive it by paying ₹50 penalty per missed year plus the minimum ₹500 deposit for each inactive year.
When is the best date to deposit in PPF?
Before the 5th of April. PPF interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and last day of the month.
Can I withdraw PPF before 15 years?
Partial withdrawal is allowed from year 7 onwards, up to 50% of the balance at the end of year 4 preceding the withdrawal year.
What happens after PPF maturity?
Three options: withdraw the full tax-free amount, extend by 5 years with fresh contributions, or extend by 5 years without contributions.