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PPF vs NPS — which retirement vehicle wins?

PPF is fully guaranteed and tax-free at maturity. NPS lets you take on equity exposure for potentially higher growth, with different withdrawal and annuity rules at retirement. See both projected side by side.

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PPF Calculator vs Sukanya Samriddhi20-year comparison

Opens Compare Lab pre-loaded with both, in your own currency — adjust any input and the chart updates instantly.

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How each one actually works
PPF (Public Provident Fund)

A government-backed, long-term savings scheme with a 15-year lock-in, a capped annual contribution, and fully tax-free interest and maturity.

PROS
Fully tax-free — contribution, interest, and maturity (EEE status)
Government-guaranteed, effectively zero credit risk
Rate is typically higher than most bank FDs
CONS
15-year lock-in with only limited partial withdrawal after year 7
Annual contribution capped (currently ₹1.5 lakh)
Rate is revised quarterly by the government and can fall

Best for: The guaranteed, tax-free core of a long-term goal like retirement, where you can commit to the lock-in.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

A government scheme specifically for a girl child, with a higher interest rate than PPF, contributions required for 15 years, and maturity at 21 years from account opening.

PROS
Typically the highest rate among government-backed schemes
Fully tax-free, same EEE status as PPF
Specifically designed for education/marriage goals for a daughter
CONS
Only available for a girl child, with an account-opening age limit
Longer effective horizon than PPF (matures at 21 years)
Contribution required for the first 15 years to keep the account active

Best for: A guaranteed, tax-free fund built specifically for a daughter's education or marriage goal.

Questions
Why is Sukanya Samriddhi shown instead of NPS above?

NPS isn't yet part of the shared multi-asset comparison engine (its age-based equity glide path works differently from a fixed-rate accumulation), so this page currently compares PPF against Sukanya Samriddhi as the two guaranteed government-backed options. Use the standalone NPS Calculator to model NPS on its own terms.

Where do these numbers actually come from?

The same calculation engine that powers our standalone calculators and Compare Lab — nothing here is a separate or simplified estimate. Every assumption (rate, tenure, tax) is visible and adjustable once you open the comparison with your own numbers.

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All figures are illustrative projections based on the assumptions you select, not guaranteed returns. Validate tax and scheme rules before making financial decisions.