Investing

ELSS Lock-in vs Other 80C Options Calculator India

Compare illustrative ELSS, tax-saver FD and PPF values at their common statutory lock-in periods and over a shared 15-year horizon.

Last reviewed: August 2026

Educational estimate only

Results can vary based on company policy, lender terms, tax law, and personal assumptions.

See the Source and methodology section below for details.

Enter your values

Section 80C investmentRsExpected ELSS annual return%Expected PPF annual return%Expected tax-saver FD annual return%

Estimated results

ELSS value after 3-year lock-in

₹2,10,739

Tax-saver FD value after 5-year lock-in

₹2,10,383

PPF value after 15-year lock-in

₹4,19,695

ELSS value at common 15-year horizon

₹8,21,035

FD value at common 15-year horizon

₹4,13,855

ELSS minus PPF at 15 years

₹4,01,340

ELSS minus FD at 15 years

₹4,07,180

This calculator gives an educational estimate. Verify final numbers with your payslip, lender, tax advisor or official source.

💡 Educational Estimates Only

This visual breakdown and compounding model is for educational understanding only. Actual outcomes can vary depending on interest accrual dates, taxation brackets, processing fees, and individual employer/lender terms.

ELSS, PPF and Tax-Saver FD Lock-ins

Quick Answer

How do the Section 80C lock-ins compare? ELSS units have a 3-year lock-in, tax-saver bank FDs generally have a 5-year lock-in, and PPF has a 15-year base tenure. Returns, risk, liquidity and tax treatment differ.

Verify current rules and product terms before investing.

Answer Engine Summary

This calculator estimates ELSS value after 3-year lock-in, Tax-saver FD value after 5-year lock-in, PPF value after 15-year lock-in, and ELSS value at common 15-year horizon using Section 80C investment, Expected ELSS annual return, Expected PPF annual return, and Expected tax-saver FD annual return. Compounds a single investment at the entered return assumptions for the fixed 3-year ELSS, 5-year tax-saver FD and 15-year PPF lock-ins, then compares all three at 15 years. Results are educational estimates only and should be verified with official records, lender statements, payroll data, or filing utilities where applicable.

Formula used

Compounds a single investment at the entered return assumptions for the fixed 3-year ELSS, 5-year tax-saver FD and 15-year PPF lock-ins, then compares all three at 15 years.

Example calculation

The native lock-in outputs show when each option first becomes accessible; the 15-year outputs provide a like-for-like compounding horizon.

Related calculators and guides

You can cross-check this estimate using: salary in-hand calculator, Old vs New Tax Regime Calculator, 80C deduction calculator, EMI calculator, ITR-2 filing guide, emergency fund guide.

When this tool is useful

When you want a fast estimate before making a financial or salary decision.
When you want to compare different assumptions in seconds.
When you want to understand the formula behind the result.

Calculator Facts

Topic	RupeeKit explanation
Calculation type	Formula-based educational estimate from user-entered values
Key inputs	Section 80C investment, Expected ELSS annual return, Expected PPF annual return, and Expected tax-saver FD annual return
Primary outputs	ELSS value after 3-year lock-in, Tax-saver FD value after 5-year lock-in, PPF value after 15-year lock-in, and ELSS value at common 15-year horizon
Method reference	Compounds a single investment at the entered return assumptions for the fixed 3-year ELSS, 5-year tax-saver FD and 15-year PPF lock-ins, then compares all three at 15 years.
Advice boundary	RupeeKit provides educational information only and does not provide personalized financial, tax, legal, investment, or loan advice.

Source and methodology

Last reviewed: August 2026

This calculator uses user-entered values and the formula logic shown on this page to generate educational estimates. Method reference: Compounds a single investment at the entered return assumptions for the fixed 3-year ELSS, 5-year tax-saver FD and 15-year PPF lock-ins, then compares all three at 15 years.

Inputs are processed in-page to show planning outputs. RupeeKit does not provide personalized financial, tax, legal, investment, or loan advice.

FAQs

Is ELSS return guaranteed after three years?

No. ELSS is market-linked, and the 3-year lock-in is not a promised return period. Value can be above or below the investment.

Are these post-tax maturity values?

No. The calculator compares pre-tax compounding assumptions. Interest and capital-gains treatment can differ across ELSS, PPF and tax-saver FDs.