PPF Calculator (India)
Estimate maturity wealth and tax-free interest for the Indian Public Provident Fund.
PPF Calculator (India)
Maturity Projections
How PPF Compounding Works
PPF pays interest once a year — not monthly or quarterly like a bank FD. Interest is calculated on the lowest balance in your account between the 5th and the last day of each month, but credited only at the end of the financial year. That means depositing before the 5th of a month (ideally in April, at the start of the year) earns you interest on that deposit for the full year, while a late-month deposit earns nothing extra until the following year. The current rate is 7.1% per annum for the October–December 2026 quarter, reviewed and announced quarterly by the Ministry of Finance.
Formula & Worked Example
Depositing the maximum ₹1,50,000 every year at 7.1% for the full 15-year lock-in:
- Total invested over 15 years = ₹22,50,000
- Interest earned (tax-free) = ₹18,18,209
- Maturity value = ₹40,68,209
Maturity Value at Different Lock-in Lengths
PPF matures after 15 years, but can be extended in blocks of 5 years. Figures below assume the maximum ₹1,50,000 annual deposit at 7.1%:
| Years | Total Invested | Interest Earned | Maturity Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (original term) | ₹22,50,000 | ₹18,18,209 | ₹40,68,209 |
| 20 (1 extension) | ₹30,00,000 | ₹36,58,288 | ₹66,58,288 |
| 25 (2 extensions) | ₹37,50,000 | ₹65,58,015 | ₹1,03,08,015 |
| 30 (3 extensions) | ₹45,00,000 | ₹1,09,50,911 | ₹1,54,50,911 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum and maximum I can deposit in PPF?
The minimum deposit is ₹500 per financial year and the maximum is ₹1,50,000. You can deposit in a lump sum or in up to 12 installments across the year. Depositing above ₹1,50,000 earns no interest and no Section 80C benefit on the excess amount.
Is PPF really tax-free, or are there conditions?
PPF has EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status: your annual deposit (up to ₹1,50,000) is deductible under Section 80C, the interest earned every year is tax-free, and the maturity amount is also fully tax-free on withdrawal — with no conditions attached, unlike some other 80C instruments.
Can I withdraw from PPF before 15 years?
Partial withdrawal is allowed from the 7th financial year onward, capped at the lower of 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th preceding year or 50% of the balance at the end of the preceding year. Premature closure (before 15 years) is allowed only in specific cases — serious illness, higher education, or change of residency status — and attracts a 1% interest reduction.
What happens to my PPF account after 15 years?
You have three options: withdraw the full maturity amount and close the account, extend it in 5-year blocks while continuing to deposit (retaining Section 80C benefit), or extend it without making further deposits while it keeps earning interest on the existing balance.
Why did depositing on the 25th of a month earn me less interest than the 2nd?
PPF interest is computed on the lowest balance between the 5th and the last day of each month. A deposit made after the 5th does not count toward that month's interest calculation at all — it only starts earning from the next month. Depositing by the 5th (ideally in April, at the start of the financial year) maximizes the interest you earn.
Can I have more than one PPF account?
No. An individual can hold only one PPF account in their own name (a second account for a minor child, where you are the guardian, is allowed separately). If a second account is discovered, it is typically merged or closed, and no interest is paid on the second account beyond the original deposit.