PPF Calculator
Estimate your Public Provident Fund maturity with live slider inputs
tuneAdjust Inputs
Maturity Amount
₹40,68,209
≈ 40.7 Lakh
Total Interest Earned
₹18,18,209
Growth Ratio: 1.81×
Total Invested
₹22,50,000
55.3% of maturity
Interest Earned
₹18,18,209
44.7% of maturity
Tenure
15 Years
Annual compounding
Interest Rate
7.1% p.a.
Govt. set quarterly
Interest
44.7%
Invested
₹22,50,000
Interest
₹18,18,209
functions PPF Formula
M = P × [(1+r)ⁿ − 1] × (1+r) / r
P = Annual investment | r = Rate/100 | n = Years
What is a PPF Calculator?
Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of India's safest long-term tax-saving investments, backed by the government with a current interest rate of 7.1% p.a. Interest is compounded annually and fully tax-free, including the maturity amount.
PPF has a 15-year lock-in period and you can invest between ₹500 and ₹1.5 lakh per year. This calculator shows your total maturity amount and the interest earned over the chosen tenure — all updating live as you adjust the sliders.
lightbulb Example Calculation
Scenario: Ms. Priya Gupta, 25-year-old teacher from Bhopal — opens a PPF account and invests ₹1,50,000 per year (maximum limit) at 7.1% p.a. for 15 years to build a tax-free retirement corpus
1P = ₹1,50,000, r = 0.071, n = 15 years
2M = 1,50,000 × (1.071) × [(1.071)¹⁵ − 1] / 0.071
3Total Invested = ₹1,50,000 × 15 = ₹22,50,000
✓ Result: Maturity Value ≈ ₹40.68 Lakhs | Tax-free Interest Earned ≈ ₹18.18 Lakhs
help_outlineHow to Use the PPF Calculator
- Enter your Yearly Investment — you can invest between ₹500 and ₹1,50,000 per year in a PPF account.
- Drag the Tenure slider to set the number of years — minimum is 15; PPF extends in 5-year blocks after that.
- Adjust the Interest Rate slider — pre-set at the current 7.1% government rate. Update if revised quarterly.
- All results update live — maturity amount, interest, and chart refresh instantly as you adjust any input.
Types of PPF
Understanding the different forms and phases of a PPF account
📘
Regular PPF
Opened by any Indian citizen (self). Minimum tenure of 15 years. All contributions, interest earned, and the maturity amount are completely tax-free under the EEE status.
Most Popular
👶
PPF for Minors
A parent or guardian can open a PPF account on behalf of a child under 18. The combined annual investment across the parent's and child's account cannot exceed ₹1.5L per year.
For Children
📆
PPF Extension (Block)
After 15 years, extend in 5-year blocks. With contributions: earns interest and new deposits continue. Without contributions: corpus earns interest with no new deposits needed — flexible for retirees.
Post-Maturity
💳
PPF Loan Facility
Borrow against PPF balance in years 3–6, at the PPF interest rate + 1%. Loan must be repaid within 36 months. You can borrow up to 25% of the balance at the end of the 2nd preceding year.
Liquidity
🏦
PPF Partial Withdrawal
From year 7 onwards, withdraw up to 50% of the balance at the end of year 4 or the year preceding the withdrawal year (whichever is lower). Only one withdrawal is permitted per financial year.
From Year 7
🔒
Discontinued PPF
If the annual minimum contribution (₹500) is missed in any year, the account becomes "discontinued." Revive it by paying ₹500 penalty per missed year plus the minimum ₹500 contribution for each missed year.
Inactive
8 PPF Mistakes to Avoid
Small errors in timing or strategy can significantly reduce your tax-free PPF corpus
1
Not Depositing Before the 5th of the Month
PPF interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and last day of the month. If you deposit on the 6th or later, you lose that entire month's interest. Depositing between April 1–5 earns you 12 months of interest for the year.
2
Investing Less Than ₹1.5L/Year
PPF is the only instrument with full EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status. By not maximising your contribution to ₹1.5 lakh, you miss out on the full Section 80C deduction of up to ₹46,800 per year (at the 30% tax slab), in addition to leaving compounding power on the table.
3
Skipping the Annual Contribution
Missing even one year's minimum deposit (₹500) makes the account inactive/discontinued. You must pay ₹50 penalty per missed year plus the minimum ₹500 contribution per year to revive it. Interest continues to accrue only on the existing balance — no new interest on the deficit.
4
Opening Multiple PPF Accounts
Only one PPF account is permitted per individual (plus one for a minor child). If the Income Tax Department or bank discovers a second account, it earns zero interest and the deposits are returned. The combined investment limit of ₹1.5L applies across both accounts.
5
Withdrawing Before Year 7
Partial withdrawals are only allowed from year 7 onwards. Before that, you can only take a loan (years 3–6). Planning short-term financial goals with PPF money is a mistake — use liquid funds or RDs for near-term goals instead.
6
Not Extending After 15 Years
Many people close their PPF at the 15-year mark and reinvest elsewhere. But an extended PPF with fresh contributions remains one of the best risk-free instruments available — tax-free, government-backed returns that beat most fixed-income alternatives in the same risk class.
7
Assuming the Interest Rate Is Fixed
PPF interest is set by the government every quarter and can change. It has historically ranged from 7.1% to 12%. Always model your projections using a conservative rate (like 7% or 7.1%) so you are not caught off guard by a rate revision. The sliders in this calculator help you stress-test different rate scenarios.
8
NRI Continuing PPF After Becoming NRI
Once you become an NRI, you cannot extend your PPF account after its maturity date. You can continue contributing until the existing maturity date, but no extensions are permitted. Plan your PPF contributions carefully if you are likely to move abroad — especially if maturity is approaching.
Benefits of PPF
- Triple tax exemption (EEE) — investment, interest, and maturity are all tax-free
- Government-backed safety — zero credit risk, unlike corporate FDs or market-linked products
- Section 80C deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh per year on your contribution
- Partial withdrawal allowed from Year 7 — useful for emergencies without full closure
- Loan against PPF balance available from Year 3 to Year 6 at low interest rates
- Extendable indefinitely in 5-year blocks — one of the best post-retirement debt instruments
Key Terms
- PPF (Public Provident Fund)
- A long-term, government-backed savings scheme with a 15-year lock-in and tax-free returns under Section 10(11).
- EEE Status
- Exempt-Exempt-Exempt — tax benefit at all three stages: investment deduction (80C), interest earned (tax-free), and maturity amount (tax-free).
- Section 80C
- Income tax deduction for various investments — PPF, ELSS, NSC, life insurance premium — up to ₹1.5 lakh annually.
- Extension Block
- After the initial 15 years, PPF can be extended for 5 years at a time — with or without fresh contributions — and continues earning tax-free interest.
- Annuity Due
- PPF deposits are treated as made at the start of each year, earning interest for the full year — this is the "annuity due" formula used in this calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed answers to the most common PPF questions
What is PPF and who can open it?
PPF (Public Provident Fund) is a long-term, government-backed savings scheme introduced in 1968 that offers guaranteed, tax-free returns. Any Indian resident individual can open a PPF account — at a post office, nationalised bank, or select private banks like HDFC and ICICI. NRIs, HUFs, and non-residents cannot open new accounts, though existing accounts can continue until maturity. You can open one account in your own name and one more in the name of a minor child you are the guardian of.
What is the EEE status of PPF?
EEE stands for Exempt-Exempt-Exempt — meaning PPF enjoys tax benefits at all three stages of the investment lifecycle. First, the contribution (up to ₹1.5 lakh/year) is deductible under Section 80C. Second, the interest credited each year is completely exempt from income tax. Third, the entire maturity amount — principal plus accumulated interest — is tax-free under Section 10(11). No other common savings instrument in India offers this triple exemption.
What is the minimum and maximum investment in PPF?
You must invest a minimum of ₹500 per financial year to keep the PPF account active — failing to do so makes the account inactive. The maximum annual contribution is ₹1,50,000 across all your PPF accounts combined (including a minor child's account if you are the guardian). You can make the deposit in one lump sum or up to 12 installments per year. Amounts above ₹1.5 lakh are returned without any interest.
Can I withdraw from PPF before 15 years?
Full premature closure is only allowed after 5 complete financial years from account opening, and only for specific reasons — life-threatening illness of the account holder, spouse, or dependent children; higher education of the account holder or children; or change in residency status (becoming an NRI). A 1% interest penalty is levied on premature closure. Partial withdrawals are available from year 7 onwards without any such restrictions (up to 50% of the eligible balance).
Can I take a loan against PPF?
Yes, you can take a loan against your PPF balance between the 3rd and 6th financial year from account opening. The loan amount cannot exceed 25% of the balance at the end of the 2nd year preceding the loan application year. The interest rate on the loan is PPF rate + 1% per annum. The loan must be repaid within 36 months; if not, the remaining balance attracts a higher interest rate of PPF rate + 6%. Only one loan is permitted at a time.
Can a minor have a PPF account?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can open and operate a PPF account in the name of a minor child. The minor's account is managed by the guardian until the child turns 18, after which the child takes full control. Importantly, the combined annual contribution across the guardian's own PPF account and the minor's account must not exceed ₹1.5 lakh. Once the minor turns 18, they can continue the account independently with their own PAN.
Can NRI continue their PPF account?
An existing PPF account holder who subsequently becomes an NRI can continue contributing to and maintaining the account until its original 15-year maturity date. However, after maturity, an NRI cannot extend the account in 5-year blocks — the account must be closed. NRIs also cannot open a new PPF account. If you anticipate becoming an NRI, plan your PPF strategy around your likely maturity date to avoid losing out on post-maturity extensions.
What happens after the 15-year PPF maturity?
At maturity, you have three options: (1) Withdraw the entire corpus tax-free and close the account. (2) Extend the account for 5 years with fresh contributions — you continue investing up to ₹1.5 lakh/year and earn tax-free interest. (3) Extend without contributions — the corpus continues to earn interest at the prevailing PPF rate without you depositing anything new. Option 3 is ideal for retirees who want a risk-free, tax-free income without locking in new funds.
What if I miss depositing in a PPF year?
If you fail to deposit at least ₹500 in any financial year, your PPF account is classified as "discontinued" or inactive. The account continues to earn interest on the existing balance, but you lose the ability to take loans or make partial withdrawals until the account is revived. To reactivate it, you must pay a penalty of ₹50 per discontinued year plus the minimum deposit of ₹500 for each missed year. The overall 15-year maturity tenure is not extended — it runs from the original account opening date.
Is PPF a good investment compared to ELSS?
PPF and ELSS serve different investor profiles. PPF offers guaranteed, government-backed, tax-free returns with zero market risk — ideal for conservative investors or as the debt portion of a portfolio. ELSS is equity-linked (market risk), has a 3-year lock-in, and has historically delivered 12–14% CAGR — better for aggressive long-term wealth creation. Many financial planners recommend combining both: PPF for guaranteed EEE returns and ELSS for higher growth potential. The right mix depends on your risk tolerance and tax bracket.
How many PPF accounts can I have?
Each individual is allowed only one PPF account in their own name. If you accidentally open a second account (at a different bank or post office), the second account will not earn any interest and the deposits will be returned. Additionally, you may operate one PPF account as guardian of a minor child — but the combined investment in both accounts must stay within the ₹1.5 lakh annual cap. Spouses can each have their own PPF account independently.
How is PPF interest calculated — is it monthly or annual?
PPF interest is calculated on a monthly basis but credited to the account only once a year — at the end of each financial year (March 31). The interest for each month is based on the lowest balance in your account between the 5th and the last day of that month. This means if you deposit after the 5th of a month, you effectively lose that month's interest. To maximise returns, always deposit your yearly contribution between April 1–5, which ensures you earn interest for all 12 months of the financial year.