What is the Public Provident Fund (PPF)?+
PPF is a long-term small savings scheme backed by the Government of India, offered through designated banks and post offices. It combines a 15-year investment horizon with tax benefits under Section 80C and tax-free interest and maturity proceeds (EEE status) for resident individuals.
How do I use this PPF calculator?+
Choose contribution mode: With deposits (initial tenure or Form-4 extension with fresh contributions) or Interest only (extension without deposits). For deposits, pick monthly/quarterly/yearly frequency within the ₹1.5 lakh yearly cap. Enter amount, years (up to 50 for long extensions), rate, optional current balance, and optional inflation.
How is PPF interest calculated?+
PPF interest is credited yearly. Yearly mode models a lump-sum deposit at the start of each year. Monthly and quarterly modes approximate the official method: interest accrues on the lowest balance between the 5th and month-end, with deposits assumed before the 5th. Small differences from bank/post-office passbooks are normal.
What is the current PPF interest rate?+
The Ministry of Finance notifies PPF rates quarterly along with other small savings schemes. As of the latest notification referenced on this page, the indicative rate is 7.1% p.a. — verify the current rate on the National Savings Institute or India Post website before depositing.
How much will I get after 15 years in PPF?+
It depends on how much you deposit each year and the prevailing rate. At the maximum ₹1.5 lakh per year for 15 years at 7.1% p.a. (yearly mode), maturity is about ₹40.7 lakh. Use the calculator for your own deposit amount, frequency and opening balance.
What does EEE tax status mean for PPF?+
EEE stands for Exempt-Exempt-Exempt: contributions up to ₹1.5 lakh per year qualify for deduction under Section 80C (within the overall 80C cap), interest earned is not taxed, and the maturity amount is tax-free in the hands of a resident individual, subject to scheme rules.
What is the PPF lock-in period?+
The initial maturity period is 15 financial years from the end of the year in which the account was opened. After maturity you may withdraw fully, extend with deposits (Form-4 / Form H within one year, in 5-year blocks), or keep the account without fresh deposits while interest continues. Use With deposits or Interest only in this calculator, with your current balance for extension projections.
What is extension without contributions?+
If you do not opt to continue depositing within one year of maturity, the account typically continues earning the notified PPF interest with no fresh deposits (and usually one withdrawal per year). Choose Interest only, enter your matured balance, and set how many years to leave it invested. If you want to keep depositing, you must file Form-4 for a 5-year block and use With deposits instead.
Can I withdraw from PPF before 15 years?+
Partial withdrawals are permitted from the 7th financial year onward, subject to limits prescribed in the PPF scheme (linked to balances in preceding years). Premature closure is allowed only in specific circumstances such as serious illness or higher education, per government rules.
Can I take a loan against my PPF balance?+
Yes. A loan against PPF is available between the 3rd and 6th financial years, up to a percentage of the balance at the end of the second preceding year. Loan interest is charged at a rate prescribed in the scheme. A second loan is not allowed until the first is repaid.
Can NRIs open a PPF account?+
NRIs cannot open a new PPF account. If residential status changes to NRI after an account was opened, the account may be continued until maturity per existing rules — confirm current RBI and Ministry of Finance guidance.
How do I open a PPF account?+
Visit a designated bank branch or post office with KYC documents (PAN, Aadhaar, photographs) and complete the account opening form. Many banks also offer online PPF opening for existing customers. Only one PPF account is permitted per individual. Accounts can usually be transferred between authorised banks/post offices.
Can I project from my current PPF balance?+
Yes. Enter your current passbook balance and the years remaining (or extension years). With deposits compounds the opening balance plus fresh contributions; Interest only grows the opening balance with annual interest and ₹0 deposits.
Can I deposit monthly or quarterly instead of yearly?+
Yes. The calculator supports monthly, quarterly and yearly deposits (capped so total stays within ₹1.5 lakh per financial year). Earlier deposits within a year usually earn slightly more under the official minimum-balance method than a late lump sum; yearly mode assumes deposit at the start of each year.
What does the inflation adjustment show?+
Optional inflation (e.g. 4%, 6%, 8%) discounts the maturity amount to today's purchasing power so you can see real returns after price rise. It does not change your actual PPF balance.
What does the invested vs corpus chart show?+
The area chart compares cumulative deposits (plus opening balance, if any) with the growing PPF corpus over time. The schedule table lists year-wise opening, deposit, interest and closing.
PPF vs FD — which gives better post-tax returns?+
PPF offers tax-free interest and maturity for eligible residents, which improves post-tax returns when you stay invested for the full horizon. FD interest is taxable at your slab rate. Compare gross and post-tax figures using our PPF and FD calculators for your tenure and tax bracket.
PPF calculator — maturity value if I invest ₹1.5 lakh every year for 15 years?+
Enter yearly contribution (max notified limit), current PPF rate and 15-year tenure. Interest is compounded annually per PPF rules. Rate can change by government notification; projection is not a guarantee.
Can I continue PPF after 15 years with or without contribution in India?+
Yes — you can extend in 5-year blocks with or without fresh deposits, subject to account rules. Use extension options in the calculator for illustration and confirm bank/post-office procedures.