PPF Calculator — Public Provident Fund Returns

The Public Provident Fund remains one of the most attractive investment options for risk-averse Indian investors. Its EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status is unmatched — your investment qualifies for Section 80C deduction, the interest earned is tax-free, and the maturity amount is completely exempt from income tax. With a current rate of 7.1%, PPF significantly outperforms post-tax FD returns. For someone in the 30% tax bracket, a 7% FD gives only 4.9% post-tax return, while PPF gives the full 7.1% tax-free.

To maximize PPF returns: 1) Deposit the full ₹1.5 lakh annually. 2) Invest before April 5th each year to earn interest for the full year. 3) Invest as a lump sum rather than monthly if possible. 4) After 15 years, extend in blocks of 5 years — your existing corpus continues to earn interest even without new deposits. 5) Combine PPF with equity SIPs for a balanced long-term portfolio.