PPF Calculator
The Public Provident Fund is a government-backed long-term savings scheme with a 15-year lock-in that can be extended in blocks of five years. Deposits up to ₹1.5 lakh a year earn interest at a rate the Government sets every quarter, and the interest and the maturity amount are tax-free, which is why it features in so many conservative plans. This calculator estimates your maturity value for yearly or monthly deposits, using the way PPF actually computes interest: monthly on the lowest balance between the 5th and the end of each month, credited once a year. Rates change quarterly, so the calculator assumes the rate you enter stays constant.
How to use the ppf calculator
- Enter how much you deposit, and whether it is a lump sum before 5 April each year or a monthly deposit.
- Check the interest rate — it was 7.1% for the October–December 2026 quarter — and enter the number of years (15 or more).
- Read the maturity value, total invested and tax-free interest.
- Scan the yearly table to see how interest compounds.
Formula
Interest for each month = rate ÷ 12 × lowest balance between the 5th and month-end, credited at the end of the financial year. A lump-sum deposit made before 5 April therefore earns interest for all 12 months: year-end balance = (opening balance + deposit) × (1 + rate). Monthly deposits made by the 5th earn interest from the month they are deposited. Deposits are limited to ₹500–₹1.5 lakh a year.
Worked examples
₹1.5 lakh a year for 15 years at 7.1%
You invest ₹22,50,000.00 and the account matures at ₹40,68,209.22 — interest of ₹18,18,209.22, all tax-free.
Monthly deposits
Depositing ₹12,500 a month for 15 years (the same ₹1.5 lakh a year) gives ₹39,44,599.22 — slightly less, because the lump sum earns interest on the whole amount from April.
Extending to 25 years
Continuing the ₹1.5 lakh-a-year plan for 25 years gives ₹1,03,08,014.97.
PPF at a glance
| Years | Maturity (₹1.5 lakh a year, 7.1%) |
|---|---|
| 15 | ₹40,68,209.22 |
| 20 | ₹66,58,288.17 |
| 25 | ₹1,03,08,014.97 |
| 30 | ₹1,54,50,910.59 |
Key rules
- Minimum ₹500 and maximum ₹1.5 lakh a year.
- 15-year term, extendable in 5-year blocks.
- Interest rate reviewed quarterly by the Government.
- Interest and maturity are exempt from tax.
Compare with the FD calculator and RD calculator.
Practice problems
Try these yourself first, then check your answer. The answers come from the calculator above.
- ₹1 lakh a year for 15 years at 7.1% (lump sum before 5 April). What is the maturity value?
Show answer
Maturity value: ₹27,12,139.48 · Total interest earned (tax-free): ₹12,12,139.48
Common mistakes to avoid
- Depositing after the 5th of the month, which loses a month of interest.
- Assuming the rate is fixed. It is reviewed every quarter and can change.
- Depositing more than ₹1.5 lakh in a year. The excess earns no interest.
- Treating PPF as liquid. There is a lock-in with only limited partial withdrawals after the early years.
- Forgetting that the tax benefit on deposits depends on the tax regime you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current PPF interest rate?
The PPF rate was 7.1% for the October–December 2026 quarter and has been 7.1% for several years. It is reviewed every quarter.
Is PPF interest taxable?
No. PPF is exempt-exempt-exempt: the deposit may qualify for a deduction (under the old regime), the interest is tax-free and so is the maturity amount.
What is the lock-in period?
15 years, counted from the end of the financial year of opening. After that you can extend in five-year blocks.
When should I deposit in PPF?
Before the 5th of each month, and for lump sums before 5 April, so you earn interest for the full period.
How much can I deposit?
A minimum of ₹500 and a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is an educational estimate; check the latest rules with your bank or post office.
Sources and further reading
- Business Standard — PPF rate unchanged at 7.1% for the October–December 2026 quarter
- National Savings Institute (India) — small savings schemes
By Thomas M, Registered Investment Adviser (South Carolina), who launched his own financial advisory firm in 2010. Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Found a mistake? Tell us; see our editorial policy.