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Tax-Saving Investments Compared

How much tax 80C and NPS investments save you, whether the old regime is still worth it, and how the options compare.

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Interest, rent and other income at slab rates.

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HRA exemption, health insurance (80D), home loan interest and others.

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Your EPF, children's school fees, home loan principal, existing premiums.

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Up to ₹50,000 on top of 80C.

Tax saved in the old regime
₹40,560

On ₹1,30,000 of new investments

Old regime, with them
₹1,95,000

₹2,35,560 without

New regime
₹1,50,800

No 80C or NPS (own) deductions

The new regime costs ₹44,200 less, even with these investments. If you're in the new regime, they don't cut your tax; invest for the returns and lock-in that suit you, not for 80C.

Compare the full picture with the income tax calculator.

The options compared
Government rates for Oct–Dec 2026. Facts, not recommendations.

  • Public Provident Fund (PPF)

    80C

    PPF Calculator

    Returns: 7.1% a yearGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: 15 years (part withdrawals from year 7)

    Tax on returns: Tax-free

  • ELSS (tax-saving mutual funds)

    80C

    SIP Calculator

    Returns: Market-linked; can fall in a bad yearMarket-linked

    Lock-in: 3 years, the shortest

    Tax on returns: Gains over ₹1.25 lakh a year taxed at 12.5%

  • National Pension System (NPS)

    80CCD(1B) · Extra ₹50,000 on top of 80C

    NPS Calculator

    Returns: Market-linked (equity, bonds, government securities)Market-linked

    Lock-in: Until 60

    Tax on returns: 60% tax-free at 60; the pension from the rest is taxable

  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

    80C · A daughter under 10

    Sukanya Samriddhi Calculator

    Returns: 8.2% a yearGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: Until the girl turns 21 (part at 18)

    Tax on returns: Tax-free

  • Tax-saver bank FD

    80C

    Fixed Deposit Calculator

    Returns: The bank's rate for 5 yearsBank deposit

    Lock-in: 5 years

    Tax on returns: Interest taxed at your slab rate

  • Post Office 5-year Time Deposit

    80C

    Fixed Deposit Calculator

    Returns: 7.5% a yearGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: 5 years

    Tax on returns: Interest taxed at your slab rate

  • National Savings Certificate (NSC)

    80C

    NSC Calculator

    Returns: 7.7% a yearGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: 5 years

    Tax on returns: Interest taxed at slab; the reinvested interest of years 1–4 also counts for 80C

  • Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme (SCSS)

    80C · Aged 60 or more

    Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme Calculator

    Returns: 8.2% a yearGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: 5 years

    Tax on returns: Interest taxed at your slab rate

  • EPF and VPF (your own contribution)

    80C · Salaried

    EPF Calculator

    Returns: Set by EPFO each yearGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: Until you leave a job or retire

    Tax on returns: Tax-free, except interest on your contributions above ₹2.5 lakh a year

  • Life insurance premiums

    80C

    Term Insurance Cover Calculator

    Returns: Term plans pay nothing back; others usually earn littleGovernment-backed

    Lock-in: The policy term

    Tax on returns: Usually tax-free if the premium is within the limits

Track your tax-saving investments with Portfolio — free for 10 days

Add your mutual funds, FDs and Sukanya Samriddhi once and see their value and maturity dates, next to your whole net worth.

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Check the regime first

Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh a year) and the extra ₹50,000 for NPS reduce tax only in the old regime. Since the new regime's slabs and its ₹12 lakh rebate limit, many people pay less tax in the new regime even after investing the full amount. The calculator compares both before showing what you save.

Choosing between the options

  • Lock-in: ELSS 3 years; most deposits 5; PPF 15; NPS until 60.
  • Tax on returns: PPF, SSY and EPF are tax-free; FD, NSC, SCSS and Post Office deposit interest is taxed at your slab.
  • Risk: government schemes are fixed; ELSS and NPS are market-linked and can fall.

You may already be using much of the limit: your EPF, children's school fees, home loan principal and life insurance premiums count towards it. See this quarter's small savings rates.

Results are estimates for illustration only, not financial advice. Banks and schemes may round, apply TDS or use slightly different day counts — confirm figures with your bank or employer. Written by the Welthr team; last reviewed on .

Frequently asked questions

Do 80C investments save tax in the new regime?

No. Section 80C and the extra NPS deduction (80CCD(1B)) apply only in the old regime. In the new regime the only common deduction left is your employer's NPS contribution (80CCD(2)).

Which tax-saving investment has the shortest lock-in?

ELSS mutual funds, at 3 years. Tax-saver FDs, NSC, SCSS and the Post Office 5-year deposit lock in for 5 years; PPF for 15; NPS until 60.

Which tax-saving options are tax-free?

PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi are tax-free on deposit, interest and maturity (EEE). EPF is too, except interest on your own contributions above ₹2.5 lakh a year.

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