Contributing early in the financial year can increase the time money earns interest.
Public Provident Fund Calculator
Project PPF maturity, contributions and tax-efficient long-term growth. Adjust the assumptions, inspect the chart and read the complete guide below.
02 Your projection
Projected value₹40.68 LUpdates instantly as you edit
Total invested / base₹22.50 L
Growth / cost₹18.18 L
Assumed annual rate7.10%
Projection journeyHover to inspect a year
This is an educational projection based on the assumptions entered above.
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Five smart nudges
Use the result with context.
The statutory annual contribution ceiling remains a hard limit in this tool.
PPF can be extended in five-year blocks after maturity.
Do not use a long-lock-in account as your only emergency reserve.
Revisit the estimate when notified small-savings rates change.
Understanding PPF in India
Editorially reviewed 12 July 2026 · Rules and assumptions can change
How PPF actually compounds
A Public Provident Fund account runs for an initial 15-year term and accepts deposits subject to the statutory annual limits. Interest is notified by the Government for each quarter but is credited annually. The operative balance used for monthly interest is linked to the balance between the close of the fifth day and month-end, so a deposit made before the fifth generally earns for that month. This calculator simplifies the cash flow to one annual contribution and compounds at the selected annual rate; it is a planning approximation, not an account passbook replica.
PPF is often described as a fixed-return product, but its rate is not fixed for the entire 15 years. A projection using 7.1% assumes that every future quarter remains equivalent to 7.1%. A better plan runs a lower-rate case as well. The legal annual contribution ceiling is enforced by this calculator because increasing the input beyond the permitted amount would create an impossible maturity illustration.
Worked PPF example: timing and extensions
Suppose an investor deposits ₹1.5 lakh at the start of every financial year for 15 years and models 7.1% throughout. Total deposits are ₹22.5 lakh, while the maturity estimate is materially higher because early instalments compound for much longer than later instalments. If the same annual amount is deposited near year-end, the statutory contribution is identical but the interest experience can be lower because each deposit spends less time in the account.
At maturity, an eligible account can be extended in five-year blocks, with or without further contribution, under the applicable rules and required procedure. An extension is not the same as reopening a fresh 15-year projection. When modelling an extension, retain the existing balance, use a five-year increment and recheck the notified rate rather than blindly continuing the original assumption.
PPF tax treatment and liquidity
PPF is commonly treated as an EEE product for eligible investors: qualifying contributions may be considered within the applicable section 80C framework under the old tax regime, interest is exempt, and qualifying maturity proceeds are exempt. Tax benefit depends on the regime and taxpayer circumstances; depositing ₹1.5 lakh does not automatically create an additional deduction if the taxpayer has already used the relevant limit or is using a regime where that deduction is unavailable.
Liquidity is deliberately restricted. Loans and partial withdrawals follow account-age, amount and purpose rules; premature closure is available only in specified circumstances and can involve an interest adjustment. PPF should therefore not hold the emergency fund or money required for a near-term house purchase. Nomination and continuity records also matter because a 15-year product often spans major family changes.
PPF versus EPF, NPS and debt funds
PPF is an individual voluntary small-savings account with sovereign backing and a long lock-in. EPF is employment-linked and contribution rules differ. NPS is market-linked, includes asset allocation and exit rules, and may require annuitisation depending on the applicable exit framework. Debt mutual funds offer market liquidity but their NAV can move with interest rates and credit events. Comparing only displayed rates ignores contribution rules, liquidity, tax treatment and the source of risk.
For a conservative retirement allocation, PPF can complement rather than replace growth assets. A household with a 20-year goal may use PPF for part of the stable allocation while keeping equity exposure appropriate to risk capacity. The relevant comparison is the after-tax, inflation-adjusted outcome and access to money, not whether one product had the highest rate in a single quarter.
Inputs that deserve a stress test
Run the rate at least one percentage point below the current notified figure and compare the maturity gap. Then test contribution consistency: ₹1.5 lakh every year is unrealistic if the household normally saves ₹8,000 per month. A smaller contribution that can actually be maintained is more useful than a maximum-limit illustration. If retirement is the goal, convert the maturity amount into future purchasing power using the Inflation Calculator.
The chart assumes smooth annual crediting and does not capture intra-year quarterly rate changes, exact deposit dates, missed deposits, revival fees, withdrawals or loans. Keep the PPF passbook and official rules as the source of truth. Review the calculation after every rate notification or major change in planned contribution.
PPF decision checklist
Confirm residency eligibility, account status, financial-year contribution already made across permitted PPF accounts, nomination, maturity date and whether an extension form is required. Decide which bank or post office records will be accessible to the family. Separate the emergency reserve before committing the annual deposit.
Use this calculator to size a conservative long-term bucket, not to predict the exact maturity rupee. Record the selected rate, contribution date assumption and whether the figure includes a five-year extension. That written assumption trail makes the projection auditable when the notified rate or tax regime changes.
Official sources used for this guide
- Department of Economic Affairs — current small-savings rates ↗
- India Post — Post Office savings schemes and closure rules ↗
- Income Tax Department — exempt interest reporting guidance ↗
Rates, thresholds and rules can change after the review date. Check the linked authority and the provider’s current documents before acting.
PPF calculator FAQs
Why can this PPF calculator not accept more than ₹1.5 lakh a year?
The input reflects the statutory annual contribution ceiling. Depositing above a product limit would make the illustration operationally impossible.
Does today’s PPF rate apply for all 15 years?
No. The Government notifies small-savings rates periodically. The calculator holds your chosen rate constant only to create a comparable projection.
When should a PPF contribution be made?
Because monthly interest calculation depends on the eligible balance around the fifth day, an early-month contribution generally earns for longer. Verify the current scheme rules and bank processing date.
Is the entire PPF maturity amount tax-free?
Qualifying PPF interest and maturity proceeds are generally exempt under applicable rules, while contribution deductions depend on the tax regime and available limit. Check the law for the relevant tax year.
Can PPF replace an emergency fund?
No. Withdrawal and premature-closure conditions make PPF unsuitable as the first source of emergency liquidity.