PPF Calculator
Plan your tax-free retirement corpus.
Total Maturity Value
Total Invested
Total Interest Earned
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Opening Balance | Invested | Interest | Closing Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enter details to see growth. | ||||
What is PPF (Public Provident Fund)?
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term, government-backed savings scheme in India. It is popular for building a retirement corpus due to its safety and tax benefits.
The EEE Tax Benefit
PPF falls under the Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) category:
- Exempt 1: Investment up to ₹1.5 Lakhs/year is tax-deductible u/s 80C.
- Exempt 2: Interest earned every year is tax-free.
- Exempt 3: The final maturity amount is 100% tax-free.
Key Features
- Tenure: Mandatory 15-year lock-in. Can be extended in blocks of 5 years.
- Investment Limit: Min ₹500, Max ₹1.5 Lakhs per financial year.
- Compounding: Interest is compounded annually.
- Risk: 100% Risk-free (Sovereign Guarantee).
PPF vs. ELSS
PPF: Safe, guaranteed returns (~7.1%), 15-year lock-in. Best for conservative investors.
ELSS (Mutual Funds): Market-linked, higher potential returns (~12-15%), 3-year lock-in. Higher risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I withdraw money before 15 years?
Partial withdrawals are allowed from the 7th financial year onwards. You can withdraw up to 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th preceding year.
Q. When should I deposit money to get maximum interest?
To maximize returns, deposit your money before the 5th of the month. Interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and the last day of the month.