The PPF interest rate for Q1 FY 2025-26 (April–June 2025) is 7.1% per annum, compounded annually. The government reviews it each quarter. PPF has a 15-year lock-in with partial withdrawal allowed after the 7th year.

Absolute return shows total gain (e.g., ₹1L grew to ₹1.5L = 50% absolute return). CAGR shows the annualised rate — if it took 4 years, CAGR = (1.5/1)^(1/4) − 1 = 10.67% per year. CAGR is more useful for comparing investments over different time periods.

Use XIRR when your cashflows are irregular — like SIP with pauses, partial redemptions, or a mix of lumpsum and monthly investments. CAGR assumes a single investment at start and single redemption at end. XIRR handles any pattern of dated cashflows and gives the true annualised return.

SSY offers 8.2% vs PPF’s 7.1%, so it earns more. Both are EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) for tax. SSY has a higher return but is strictly for girl children. PPF is more flexible — anyone can open it, and partial withdrawals are simpler. Use SSY for girl child education/marriage goals; PPF for general retirement or longer-horizon savings.

PMAY-Urban covers households with annual income up to ₹18 lakh (EWS/LIG/MIG-I/MIG-II categories). The CLSS subsidy on home loan interest ranges from 3% to 6.5%. The PMAY calculator checks income, family size, and existing property ownership to determine your category and subsidy amount.