PPF interest rate: 7.1% for October-December 2026
Valid 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. Last checked 29 October 2026. Next review: on or around 31 December 2026, for January-March 2027.
The Public Provident Fund pays 7.1% a year for October-December 2026, compounded yearly and tax-free. Unchanged from July-September 2026. Rates have now been held for ten consecutive quarters.
What 7.1% grows to in 15 years
| Yearly deposit | Total deposited | Tax-free interest | Maturity value |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹50,000 | ₹7,50,000 | ₹6,06,070 | ₹13,56,070 |
| ₹1,00,000 | ₹15,00,000 | ₹12,12,139 | ₹27,12,139 |
| ₹1,50,000 | ₹22,50,000 | ₹18,18,209 | ₹40,68,209 |
Assumes the deposit is made by 5 April each year and today's rate holds for all 15 years. Try your own figures in the PPF calculator.
Key rules
- Minimum deposit ₹500 a year, maximum ₹1.5 lakh a year.
- The account runs for 15 years and can be extended in blocks of 5 years.
- Interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and the end of each month, and credited once a year on 31 March.
- Deposits qualify for 80C in the old tax regime. Interest and maturity are tax-free in both regimes.
- The rate floats: a change applies to your whole balance from the next quarter.
Compare with every other scheme on the small savings rates page, or read which scheme suits whom.
Questions people ask
What is the PPF interest rate today?
7.1% a year for October-December 2026. Unchanged from July-September 2026. Rates have now been held for ten consecutive quarters.
Is the PPF rate the same in banks and the post office?
Yes. The rate is set by the Government of India and is the same whether you hold your PPF account with India Post, SBI or any other authorised bank.
When is the next PPF rate announcement?
On or around 31 December 2026, for January-March 2027.
Sources: Ministry of Finance notification on small savings rates for Q3 FY 2026-27, reported 30 September 2026; Business Today: Small savings rates unchanged for Q3 FY27.