PPF Calculator

The PPF rate for 2026 is 7.1% p.a., compounded annually. The rate is reviewed quarterly by the government but has been stable at 7.1% since Q1 2020. Interest is credited on March 31 every year.

Minimum ₹500/year, maximum ₹1.5 lakh/year (aggregate across all PPF accounts of an individual). Contributions above ₹1.5L in a year don't earn interest and can't be withdrawn as 80C.

Yes — PPF has Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) status: (1) Contribution qualifies for 80C deduction up to ₹1.5L (old regime); (2) Annual interest is tax-free; (3) Maturity amount is 100% tax-free. One of the very few fully tax-free instruments.

Partial withdrawal allowed from year 7 onwards — up to 50% of the balance at the end of year 4. Loans available from year 3-6 (up to 25% of year-2 balance). Full premature closure only in specific cases (terminal illness, higher education of children) with 1% interest penalty.

Yes, in blocks of 5 years. Options: (1) Extend without further contribution — balance keeps earning interest; (2) Extend with contribution — continue depositing ₹1.5L/year for more compounding.

Lump sum before April 5 each year maximizes interest (entire ₹1.5L earns full-year interest). Monthly deposits earn partial-year interest — deposit before 5th of each month to count that month. Over 15 years, yearly lump sum vs monthly makes ~₹60,000 difference.

Yes. Minor can have a PPF opened by parent/guardian. The ₹1.5L limit applies combined across parent + minor accounts — not separately.

Any post office or authorized bank (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, PNB, BoB, Canara, etc.). Most banks offer online PPF with auto-debit. You can have only one PPF account per person (multiple accounts merge automatically).