NPS and PPF target the same outcome — a retirement corpus — but from opposite ends of the risk spectrum. The right choice depends on three things: your age, your appetite for market volatility, and how much you value liquidity.
Returns and risk
PPF currently earns 7.1% (revised quarterly by the Government). It is a fixed-income product backed by sovereign guarantee — your principal and interest are guaranteed in nominal rupees. NPS Tier-1 has delivered 9-11% over long horizons through a mixed equity-debt portfolio, but with year-to-year volatility. NPS auto-glides equity allocation down as you age, mechanically de-risking near retirement.
Tax treatment
Both are EEE-taxed at deposit and growth. The difference is at withdrawal: PPF maturity is fully tax-free. NPS lets you withdraw 60% as a tax-free lumpsum at age 60, but the remaining 40% must be used to buy an annuity — and the monthly annuity income is taxed as per slab. NPS unlocks an exclusive ₹50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) on top of the ₹1.5L 80C cap.
Liquidity
PPF has a 15-year lock-in with partial withdrawal allowed from year 7. NPS partial withdrawal is allowed from year 3 for specified reasons (education, home, medical). Premature NPS exit before 60 forces 80% into annuity — punishing.
A practical mix
For most salaried Indians, the right move isn't either-or. Use NPS to claim the extra ₹50K 80CCD(1B), PPF to fill ₹1.5L of 80C with a guaranteed return, and equity SIPs for the growth engine. Compare all three side-by-side in the PPF vs EPF vs NPS tool.