A PPF Calculator is a free online tool that helps you estimate your Public Provident Fund maturity value, total interest earned, year-wise schedule, and effective returns based on your annual investment, duration, and the prevailing Government interest rate.

The calculator applies annual compound interest to your PPF contributions year by year, following Government of India rules. It accounts for your existing balance, annual contribution step-ups, and extension periods to give an accurate maturity projection.

The current Government of India PPF interest rate is 7.1% per annum (as of 2024–25). The rate is reviewed quarterly by the Government and credited to your account on 31 March each year.

The minimum annual investment in a PPF account is ₹500. Your account will become inactive if you fail to deposit at least ₹500 in a financial year.

The maximum amount you can invest in PPF in a financial year is ₹1,50,000 (₹1.5 Lakh). Deposits above this limit do not earn interest and are not eligible for the Section 80C tax deduction.

Yes. PPF enjoys EEE (Exempt–Exempt–Exempt) tax status in India. Your contributions qualify for deduction under Section 80C, the interest earned is fully tax-free, and the maturity amount is completely exempt from tax.

Partial withdrawals are allowed from the 7th financial year onwards. You can withdraw up to 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th year preceding the year of withdrawal, or the balance at the end of the preceding year — whichever is lower.

Yes. After the initial 15-year lock-in, you can extend your PPF account in blocks of 5 years any number of times — either with fresh contributions (continuing to earn interest and deposit) or without contributions (letting the balance compound without adding new funds).

PPF interest is calculated on the minimum balance in your account between the 5th and the last day of each calendar month. It is compounded annually and credited to your account on 31 March. To maximize interest, always invest before the 5th of April (start of the financial year).

Yes. You can make up to 12 deposits per financial year in a PPF account. Monthly contributions help in disciplined saving and ensure maximum interest is earned when deposited before the 5th of each month.

PPF generally offers better post-tax returns than a Fixed Deposit because PPF interest is fully tax-free (EEE status), whereas FD interest is taxable as per your income slab. For investors in the 30% tax bracket, the effective FD return is significantly lower than its stated rate.

PPF is safer than a mutual fund SIP as it carries a sovereign government guarantee and guaranteed returns. However, equity SIPs historically deliver higher returns over 15+ years. PPF is ideal for risk-averse investors, tax savers, and those seeking guaranteed wealth for retirement.

PPF has a mandatory 15-year lock-in period from the end of the financial year in which the first subscription is made. The account can be extended in 5-year blocks after maturity.

Yes. You can avail a loan against your PPF balance from the 3rd financial year up to the 6th financial year. The loan amount is limited to 25% of the balance at the end of the 2nd financial year preceding the loan application year. The loan carries an interest rate of 1% above the prevailing PPF rate.

PPF investments qualify for deduction up to ₹1.5 Lakh per year under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The interest earned is fully exempt under Section 10(11), and the maturity proceeds are completely tax-free — making it one of the most tax-efficient investment instruments in India.

PPF is one of the safest investment instruments in India. It is backed by a Government of India sovereign guarantee, meaning there is virtually zero credit risk. It is ideal for conservative investors and those building a long-term retirement corpus.

Yes. While PPF earns a guaranteed nominal return (currently 7.1%), the real return (inflation-adjusted) depends on prevailing inflation. At 6% inflation, the real return is approximately 1.1%. Our calculator shows you the inflation-adjusted maturity value so you can plan accordingly.

This calculator follows the standard Government of India annual compounding formula and closely matches results from official bank and post office PPF calculators. Results are estimates — actual interest may vary slightly depending on the day of deposit each month and any changes in the Government-declared PPF rate.

An online PPF Calculator instantly shows you your projected maturity amount, total interest earned, effective CAGR, and year-wise growth without manual spreadsheet work. It helps you plan your annual contribution, evaluate extension scenarios, and compare PPF with other investment options.

Yes, this PPF Calculator is 100% free. There are no sign-ups, subscriptions, or hidden fees.