PPF Calculator
Calculate your Public Provident Fund maturity value, total interest and year-by-year growth at the latest 7.1% rate — with monthly or yearly deposits.
Your maturity value
100% tax-free (EEE)₹0
Invested
₹0
Total interest
₹0
Maturity value
₹0
In today’s money
₹0
Balance over time
Invested vs interest
- Total invested ₹0
- Total interest ₹0
- Maturity value ₹0
Year-by-year breakdown
How your balance and tax-free interest build up each year.
| Year | Deposit | Interest | Balance |
|---|
How PPF interest is calculated
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a government-backed savings scheme with a 15-year lock-in. Interest is calculated monthly on the lowest balance in your account between the 5th and the last day of each month, and then credited once a year on 31 March. Because the interest is credited annually and then compounds, PPF grows faster in the later years — exactly what the balance chart and year-by-year table above show.
One practical tip follows straight from this rule: deposit before the 5th of the month (or your entire yearly amount before 5 April) so that your money counts toward the minimum balance and earns interest for the full period. This calculator uses the same month-wise method, so switching between yearly and monthly deposits shows the real difference in returns.
PPF interest rate and the EEE tax benefit
The PPF interest rate is announced by the Government of India every quarter and is currently 7.1% per annum. PPF enjoys EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status, which makes it one of the most tax-efficient investments in India:
- Exempt on investment — deposits up to ₹1.5 lakh a year qualify for a deduction under Section 80C (old tax regime).
- Exempt on interest — the interest you earn each year is completely tax-free.
- Exempt on maturity — the entire maturity amount is tax-free in your hands.
PPF deposit, withdrawal and extension rules
You can invest a minimum of ₹500 and a maximum of ₹1,50,000 per financial year, in a lump sum or in instalments. Partial withdrawals are allowed once a year from the 7th year, and a loan can be taken between the 3rd and 6th year. On maturity you can withdraw the full amount tax-free or extend the account in blocks of 5 years, with or without fresh deposits.
PPF vs SIP: where PPF fits in your plan
PPF is best seen as the safe, guaranteed part of your portfolio. For long-term wealth creation, many investors pair it with a market-linked mutual fund SIP and track their overall journey with our FIRE calculator. PPF gives certainty and tax-free returns; an SIP adds growth potential.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current PPF interest rate?
The Public Provident Fund interest rate is set by the Government of India every quarter. As of the current quarter it is 7.1% per annum, compounded yearly. This calculator uses 7.1% by default, but you can change it to model a different rate.
How is PPF interest calculated?
PPF interest is calculated monthly on the lowest balance in your account between the 5th and the last day of each month, and then credited once a year on 31 March. Because of this rule, depositing before the 5th of the month (or the full year’s amount before 5 April) earns you the most interest. This calculator follows the same month-wise method.
What is the maximum and minimum I can invest in PPF?
You must deposit at least Rs 500 in a financial year to keep the account active, and you can invest a maximum of Rs 1,50,000 per financial year. Deposits above Rs 1.5 lakh do not earn any interest, so this calculator caps the yearly amount at Rs 1,50,000.
Is PPF tax-free?
Yes. PPF has EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status. Your deposits qualify for a deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C, the interest earned every year is fully tax-free, and the entire maturity amount is tax-free too. Note that Section 80C is only available under the old tax regime.
How much will I get if I invest Rs 1.5 lakh per year for 15 years?
Investing the full Rs 1,50,000 every year for 15 years at 7.1% grows to roughly Rs 40.68 lakh at maturity. Of this, Rs 22.5 lakh is your own investment and about Rs 18.18 lakh is tax-free interest. Enter your own numbers above to see the exact figure.
Can I withdraw from PPF before 15 years?
PPF has a 15-year lock-in. You can make one partial withdrawal per year from the 7th financial year onwards, and you can take a loan against the balance between the 3rd and 6th year. Premature closure of the full account is only allowed after 5 years for specific reasons such as serious illness or higher education, with a 1% interest penalty.
What happens after 15 years — can I extend my PPF account?
On maturity you can withdraw the full amount tax-free, or extend the account in blocks of 5 years — either with fresh contributions or without. If you extend without contributing, the balance keeps earning interest and you can withdraw once a year. Use the time-period slider above to project a 20, 25 or 30-year run.
Is PPF better than an SIP or FD?
They serve different goals. PPF gives a fixed, government-backed, tax-free return with a 15-year lock-in — ideal for the safe, debt part of your portfolio. An equity SIP can earn more over the long term but is market-linked and not guaranteed, while an FD is flexible but its interest is taxable. Many investors use PPF for stability and an SIP for growth.