Public Provident Fund - 15-year tax-saving investment. Min ₹500, Max ₹1.5L per year. Current rate 7.1%. EEE status (deposit, interest, withdrawal all tax-free).
PPF interest rate 2025?+
7.1% per annum (Q4 FY 2024-25). Quarterly revised by Govt. Compounded annually. Tax-free returns. Higher than most savings options for risk-free investment.
How to open PPF account?+
At any bank (SBI, ICICI, HDFC, etc.) or post office. Online via netbanking. Need Aadhaar, PAN, address proof. Min deposit ₹500 to open. Online deposits possible.
PPF withdrawal rules?+
Premature withdrawal allowed from 7th year. Up to 50% of 4-year-back balance. After maturity (15 years): full withdrawal tax-free. Can extend in 5-year blocks.
PPF for tax saving?+
Section 80C deduction up to ₹1.5L. Interest tax-free. Maturity tax-free. Best risk-free tax saver. Equity-linked options give higher returns but with risk.
Can I take loan against PPF?+
Yes - between 3rd and 6th year. Loan up to 25% of balance at end of 2-year-back. Interest 1% above PPF rate. Repay within 36 months.
PPF vs FD which is better?+
PPF: 7.1% tax-free, 15-year lock. FD: 6-7% taxable, flexible. PPF wins for tax-payers in 30% bracket. FD better for short-term needs.
PPF maturity options?+
After 15 years: 1) Withdraw entire amount, 2) Extend 5 years with deposits, 3) Extend without deposits (gets interest only). Extension in 5-year blocks unlimited.