PPF Calculator 2026
Calculate your Public Provident Fund (PPF) maturity amount, interest earned, and year-wise growth. Plan your tax-free retirement corpus with India's safest investment.
Current PPF Interest Rate: 7.1% p.a. (Q1 2026)
Enter Your Details
Min: ₹500 | Max: ₹1,50,000 per year
Min: 15 years | Can extend in 5-year blocks
Current rate: 7.1% (Jan-Mar 2026)
Your PPF Returns
Total Investment
₹22,50,000
Total Interest Earned
₹18,18,209
Maturity Amount
₹40,68,209
Wealth Gained
1.81x
| Year | Deposit | Interest | Balance |
|---|
What is PPF (Public Provident Fund)?
Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a government-backed savings scheme introduced in 1968. It is one of the safest investment options in India, offering guaranteed returns and complete tax exemption under the EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) category.
Key Benefit: PPF offers triple tax benefits — your investment is tax-deductible under Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh), the interest earned is tax-free, and the maturity amount is completely tax-exempt.
PPF Interest Rate History
| Period | Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| Jan 2026 - Mar 2026 | 7.1% |
| Oct 2025 - Dec 2025 | 7.1% |
| Apr 2025 - Sep 2025 | 7.1% |
| Apr 2024 - Mar 2025 | 7.1% |
| Apr 2023 - Mar 2024 | 7.1% |
| Apr 2020 - Mar 2023 | 7.1% |
| Jan 2019 - Mar 2020 | 8.0% |
How PPF Interest is Calculated
PPF interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and the last day of each month. This means if you want to maximize your interest, you should deposit your money before the 5th of each month.
The formula for PPF interest calculation is:
Interest = P × r × n/12
Where P = Principal, r = Annual interest rate, n = Number of months
Where P = Principal, r = Annual interest rate, n = Number of months
PPF vs Other Investment Options
| Feature | PPF | FD | ELSS | NPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns (Expected) | 7.1% (Guaranteed) | 6-7% | 12-15% (Market-linked) | 9-12% |
| Lock-in Period | 15 years | 5 years (tax-saving) | 3 years | Till age 60 |
| Tax on Interest | Exempt | Taxable | 10% LTCG above ₹1L | Partially taxable |
| Risk Level | Zero (Govt. backed) | Very Low | High | Medium |
| Section 80C Benefit | Yes (₹1.5L) | Yes (5-yr FD only) | Yes (₹1.5L) | Yes (₹1.5L + ₹50K extra) |
PPF Withdrawal Rules
- Partial Withdrawal: Allowed from 7th financial year onwards. You can withdraw up to 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th year or the previous year (whichever is lower).
- Loan Against PPF: Available from 3rd to 6th financial year. Maximum loan amount is 25% of the balance at the end of the 2nd preceding year.
- Premature Closure: Only allowed after 5 years under specific conditions (serious illness, higher education, NRI status change).
Who Should Invest in PPF?
- Conservative Investors: If you prefer guaranteed returns over market-linked risks.
- Retirement Planning: PPF is excellent for building a tax-free retirement corpus.
- Tax Savers: If you want to maximize Section 80C benefits with tax-free returns.
- Long-term Savers: If you can commit money for 15+ years without needing it.
- Parents: You can open a PPF account for minor children (counts under parent's 80C limit).
Pro Tip: To maximize returns, invest your yearly amount as a lump sum before April 5th. This ensures you earn interest for the entire financial year on your full investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current PPF interest rate in 2026?
The current PPF interest rate for Q1 2026 (January-March) is 7.1% per annum, compounded yearly. The rate is revised quarterly by the Government of India based on government bond yields.
What is the minimum and maximum PPF investment limit?
The minimum annual investment in PPF is ₹500, and the maximum is ₹1,50,000 per financial year. You can invest in lump sum or up to 12 installments per year. If you invest less than ₹500, your account will become inactive.
Is PPF interest taxable?
No, PPF enjoys EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status. Your investment qualifies for Section 80C deduction (up to ₹1.5 lakh), the interest earned is tax-free, and the maturity amount is also completely tax-free. This makes PPF one of the most tax-efficient investments in India.
Can NRIs invest in PPF?
NRIs cannot open new PPF accounts. However, if you had a PPF account as a resident and later became an NRI, you can continue the account until maturity but cannot extend it beyond 15 years. The account will continue to earn interest.
Can I extend my PPF account after 15 years?
Yes, you can extend your PPF account in blocks of 5 years indefinitely. You can choose to extend with or without fresh contributions. You must submit Form H within one year of maturity to extend with contributions, otherwise it will be extended without contributions.
Where can I open a PPF account?
You can open a PPF account at any post office or authorized banks including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, and others. Many banks also allow online PPF account opening through net banking.