Can I withdraw before 15 years?

Partial from 5th year, full only after 15.

Can I open PPF online?

Yes, via most banks and post office net banking.

What if I miss a yearly deposit?

Account becomes discontinued; revive with penalty.

Can I take a loan against PPF?

Yes, from 3rd to 6th year up to 25% of balance.

What formula does the calculator use?

A = P × [ ((1+i)^n – 1)/i ] × (1+i), annual compounding.

🏦 Public Provident Fund (PPF) Calculator

Calculate maturity, tax‑free interest, and plan your retirement | Step‑up strategy included

🔍

⚡ Fast 🔒 Secure 📈 Tax‑Free

Yearly Contribution (₹)

Min ₹500, Max ₹1,50,000 per financial year

PPF Interest Rate (% p.a)

Current rate: 7.1% (quarterly compounded, annual calculation)

Tenure (Years)

Minimum lock‑in 15 years, can extend in blocks of 5 years

Annual Step‑Up (%) (optional)

Increase contribution yearly by this percentage

Total Invested₹0

Total Interest (Tax‑Free)₹0

Maturity Amount (Tax‑Free)₹0

📊 Year‑wise Corpus Growth (Tax‑Free)

💰 Maturity amount year by year (including step‑up if applied)

Tax‑Free Returns

EEE status – deposit, interest, maturity all tax‑free.

Government Backed

100% safe, sovereign guarantee.

Compound Interest

Interest earned also earns interest.

80C Deduction

Up to ₹1.5L tax deduction under Section 80C.

Parameter	PPF	FD	RD	ELSS
Returns	~7.1% (tax‑free)	5.5-7.5% (taxable)	5.5-7.5% (taxable)	Market linked (12-15%)
Risk	Very low	Very low	Very low	Moderate
Lock‑in Period	15 years	None (penalty)	None (penalty)	3 years
Tax Benefit	80C + tax‑free	Only 5‑year FD	None	80C
Liquidity	Low (partial after 5y)	High (penalty)	High (penalty)	Low (3y lock)
Best for	Retirement & tax saving	Emergency funds	Monthly savings	Tax saving + growth

📘 Complete PPF Guide (AY 2025-26)

📌 How PPF Works

Public Provident Fund is a government-backed, 15-year lock-in investment with tax-free returns (EEE status). Interest is compounded annually, but calculated quarterly.

Formula: A = P × [ ((1+i)^n - 1)/i ] × (1+i) (where P = yearly contribution, i = annual rate, n = years)

💰 Tax Benefits (EEE Status)

Deposit up to ₹1.5L deductible under Section 80C
Interest earned is completely tax‑free
Maturity amount is tax‑free

⚡ Step‑Up Strategy

Increase your yearly contribution by 5-10% annually. Starting with ₹50,000 and 10% step‑up for 15 years yields ~₹32.5L instead of ₹13.8L – more than double!

⚠️ Important Rules

Minimum ₹500/year, maximum ₹1.5L/year
Partial withdrawal allowed from 5th year onwards
Loan facility available from 3rd to 6th year
Can extend in 5‑year blocks after maturity

💡 Example: ₹50,000 yearly at 7.1% for 15 years → Total invested ₹7.5L, Maturity ≈ ₹13.8L, Interest ₹6.3L (tax‑free). With 10% step‑up, same period gives ~₹32.5L.

📚 PPF Knowledge Hub

PPF vs FD vs ELSS – Which is Better for Tax Saving?
Step‑Up Strategy to Maximize PPF Returns
PPF Tax Benefits – Section 80C & EEE Status Explained
PPF Extension & Partial Withdrawal Rules

📖 Read Full PPF Guide (Single Post) →

🔗 One detailed blog covering all PPF topics, examples, and calculators.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current PPF interest rate? ▼

As of June 2025, the PPF interest rate is 7.1% per annum. The government revises rates quarterly, but the calculator allows you to adjust.

What is the minimum and maximum deposit in PPF? ▼

Minimum ₹500 per financial year, maximum ₹1,50,000 per year. You can deposit in lump sum or in up to 12 instalments.

Is PPF completely tax‑free? ▼

Yes, PPF follows EEE (Exempt‑Exempt‑Exempt) status – deposit qualifies for 80C deduction, interest earned is tax‑free, and maturity amount is tax‑free.

Can I withdraw money from PPF before 15 years? ▼

Partial withdrawal allowed from the 5th financial year onwards (up to 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th year). Full withdrawal only after 15 years.

Can I extend PPF after 15 years? ▼

Yes, you can extend in blocks of 5 years with or without further contributions. Interest continues to accrue.

Can I open a PPF account online? ▼

Yes, most banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI) and the post office allow online PPF account opening through net banking.

What happens if I miss a yearly deposit? ▼

If you miss a deposit in any year, the account becomes discontinued. You can revive it by paying a ₹500 penalty per defaulted year plus the minimum subscription for that year.

Can I take a loan against my PPF account? ▼

Yes, loan facility is available from the 3rd to the 6th financial year (up to 25% of the balance at the end of the 2nd year). Interest on the loan is 1% above the PPF rate.

Is PPF better than FD for retirement? ▼

For long‑term retirement goals, PPF is better because it offers tax‑free returns and government backing. FD is more liquid but returns are taxable.

Can I have multiple PPF accounts? ▼

No, only one PPF account per individual. However, you can open a separate PPF account for a minor child.

What formula does this calculator use? ▼

We use the standard future value of annual payments formula: A = P × [ ((1+i)^n – 1)/i ] × (1+i). This assumes deposit at the beginning of each year and annual compounding.