PPF vs NSC vs KVP: which small savings scheme fits you?
One-line summaries
PPF - 15-year, EEE-tax-free, ~7.1%: the long-horizon retirement tool.
NSC - 5-year certificate, ~7.7%: mid-term with 80C deduction.
KVP - money doubles at a fixed rate (~115 months at ~7.5%): simple doubling promise.
Tax - the real separator
PPF is EEE: deposit gets 80C deduction, interest is tax-free, maturity is tax-free - the best tax deal in small savings. NSC gives 80C on deposit, but interest is taxable (though accrued interest counts as reinvested for 80C in years 1-4). KVP has no deduction and taxable interest - weakest on tax.
Lock-in reality
PPF runs 15 years (extendable in 5-year blocks, partial withdrawals from year 7). NSC locks 5 years, no premature exit except rare cases. KVP locks about 2.5 years before premature closure is allowed - most flexible of the three.
Who picks what
Retirement corpus, tax-saver, patient: PPF. Five-year goal with 80C room: NSC. Want a simple 'doubles in ~9-10 years' promise without needing 80C: KVP. Run your exact amounts on the PPF, NSC and KVP calculators side by side.
A note on rates
All three rates are government-set and revised quarterly - the numbers above are indicative snapshots. Our calculators read current rates each time; always verify the live notification before depositing.
Quick answers
Which is completely tax-free: PPF, NSC or KVP?
Only PPF is fully tax-free (EEE). NSC and KVP interest is taxable.
Can I hold PPF and NSC together?
Yes - there is no exclusivity. PPF has a ₹1.5 lakh/year cap; NSC has no upper limit.
How long does KVP take to double money?
At ~7.5% it doubles in roughly 115 months - the certificate prints the maturity amount upfront.