PPF Calculator
Estimate the maturity value of your Public Provident Fund (PPF) account based on how much you contribute each year, the interest rate, and how long you stay invested. PPF is one of India's most widely used long-term, government-backed savings schemes, and this calculator shows how your yearly contributions grow with annual compounding.
Fill in the form and select "Calculate" to see your results here.
What is PPF?
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term savings scheme backed by the Government of India, available at banks and post offices across the country. It requires a minimum yearly contribution of ₹500 and allows a maximum of ₹1,50,000 per financial year, with a standard lock-in period of 15 years. Interest is set by the government every quarter and compounded annually, though in practice it is calculated monthly on the lowest balance held between the 5th and the last day of each month.
Why PPF is popular in India
PPF is one of the few investment options in India with "EEE" (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status: the amount you contribute is eligible for deduction under Section 80C (up to ₹1,50,000 per year), the interest earned every year is tax-free, and the final maturity amount is also tax-free on withdrawal. Combined with a sovereign guarantee that removes market risk, this makes PPF a common choice for conservative, long-term goals such as retirement or a child's education — even though its returns are typically lower than equity-linked investments over the same period.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the amount you plan to invest each year (between ₹500 and ₹1,50,000).
- Enter the interest rate you expect to apply — the government-notified rate is a reasonable starting point, but you can adjust it since the rate changes every quarter.
- Enter your investment period in years (at least 15, the standard PPF lock-in).
- Select "Calculate" to see your total investment, total interest earned, and maturity value.
Formula
This models one contribution per year with annual compounding, which is the standard simplified convention used for PPF projections. The actual PPF scheme compounds monthly on the lowest balance in each month, so real-world results can differ slightly from this estimate.
Example
Suppose you invest ₹1,50,000 every year in your PPF account for 15 years, at an assumed interest rate of 7.1% per annum. Over the 15-year period, you would invest a total of ₹22,50,000 (₹1,50,000 × 15 years). At 7.1% annual compounding, this grows to a maturity value of approximately ₹40,68,209 — meaning you would earn roughly ₹18,18,209 in interest (₹40,68,209 − ₹22,50,000 = ₹18,18,209) on top of what you contributed. Try the calculator above with your own contribution amount, rate, and time period.
Factors that affect PPF returns
- Interest rate changes. The government revises the PPF rate every quarter, so the rate that applies over a 15-year period will not stay constant. This calculator uses a single rate you enter for the whole period as a simplification.
- Contribution limits. You must contribute at least ₹500 per financial year to keep the account active, and cannot contribute more than ₹1,50,000 per year across all your PPF accounts.
- Lock-in and extension. The standard tenure is 15 years, but the account can be extended in blocks of 5 years after maturity, either with further contributions or without.
- Partial withdrawals. Partial withdrawals are permitted from the 7th financial year onward under specific conditions and limits. This calculator does not model partial withdrawals — it assumes contributions continue uninterrupted for the full period entered.
- Timing of contributions. Contributing early in the financial year (ideally by April 5) earns interest for more of that year, since interest is calculated monthly on the lowest balance in the month. This calculator assumes one contribution per year and does not model intra-year timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Full withdrawal is only allowed at maturity, after 15 years. Partial withdrawals are permitted from the 7th financial year onward, subject to limits based on your account balance. Premature closure before maturity is allowed only in specific circumstances, such as medical emergencies or higher education, and usually comes with a reduced interest rate.
Yes. After the initial 15-year term, you can extend your PPF account in blocks of 5 years, either continuing to contribute (with the same annual limits) or keeping the existing balance invested without further contributions. You can also simply withdraw the full amount at maturity and close the account.
Yes. PPF has "EEE" tax status — your contribution is eligible for a Section 80C deduction (subject to the overall ₹1,50,000 limit across all 80C investments), the interest credited each year is exempt from tax, and the maturity amount you eventually withdraw is also tax-free.
Your account becomes inactive (a "discontinued" account) if you don't contribute at least ₹500 in a financial year. You can reactivate it by paying the missed minimum contributions along with a small penalty for each defaulted year. This calculator assumes uninterrupted contributions and does not model missed years or penalties.
The PPF interest rate is not fixed for the life of your account — it is reviewed and set by the government every quarter and can go up or down. Making the rate editable lets you model different scenarios, including the current rate, a historical rate, or a conservative estimate for future quarters.
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Calculations are estimates based on the information entered, assuming a constant interest rate and one contribution per year. They do not account for monthly compounding on the lowest balance, partial withdrawals, missed contributions, or future changes to the government-notified interest rate, and are not a substitute for your actual PPF passbook or professional financial advice. See our full disclaimer.