80C Tax-Saving Investment Selector
Tell us your risk appetite, lock-in preference and goal — get a live recommendation across ELSS, PPF, NPS, Sukanya, NSC and more, plus the tax you save.
- Free — no sign-up
- Instant, on-screen results
- Built by our CA · CS team
- Rules cited on the page
Fill in the details — the answer on the right updates as you go.
All 80C / 80CCD instruments compared
Highlighted row = your match| Instrument | Risk | Lock-in | Returns | Taxation of returns |
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Get a personalised 80C plan from a CA
We map your ₹1.5L across the right instruments for your goal and lock in the tax saving.
Disclaimer: Educational tool, not investment advice. Returns shown are indicative historical/declared rates and are not guaranteed. Section 80C deduction is available only under the old tax regime. Consult a professional before investing.
How this selector works
There is no single "best" 80C investment — the right one depends on how much risk you can take, how long you can lock money away, and what you are saving for. This tool scores every eligible instrument against your three choices and surfaces the strongest match plus two backups.
Set your risk
Low keeps capital safe (PPF, NSC, FD); high accepts market swings for higher growth (ELSS).
Set lock-in
ELSS has the shortest lock-in (3 years). PPF locks for 15 years; Sukanya until the girl turns 21.
Pick a goal
Retirement nudges NPS & PPF; child future nudges Sukanya & PPF; general wealth favours ELSS.
See tax saved
Your 80C deduction (up to ₹1.5L) times your slab rate is the tax you save this year.
Key terms explained
The ₹1.5 lakh 80C cap
Section 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD(1) together allow a maximum deduction of ₹1,50,000 per year. Investing more is fine, but only ₹1.5L reduces your taxable income. NPS gives an extra ₹50,000 under 80CCD(1B).
EEE — Exempt-Exempt-Exempt
The gold standard: the amount invested is deductible, the interest earned is tax-free, and the maturity payout is tax-free too. PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi and EPF are EEE. NSC and tax-saver FD are taxed on the interest.
Lock-in period
The minimum time your money must stay invested. ELSS at 3 years has the shortest lock-in of all 80C options; PPF is 15 years and Sukanya runs until the girl child turns 21.
Why ELSS is popular
ELSS is the only 80C option that is equity mutual fund based — highest long-term return potential with the shortest lock-in (3 years). Gains above ₹1.25L a year are taxed as LTCG at 12.5%.
Questions people ask
Short answers on Tax-Saving Investment Selector. Tap a question to open it.
01Which 80C options should I consider?
EPF and VPF, PPF, ELSS equity funds, five-year tax-saving fixed deposits, NSC, Sukanya Samriddhi for a girl child, life insurance premium, principal repayment on a home loan, and tuition fees for two children — all within the combined ₹1.5 lakh limit.
02Which has the shortest lock-in?
ELSS, at three years. PPF runs 15 years, NSC and tax-saving FDs five years, and Sukanya Samriddhi until the child is 21. Lock-in is the main trade-off against the potential return.
03Which are completely tax free at maturity?
PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi and EPF within the prescribed limits fall in the exempt-exempt-exempt category. NSC and tax-saving FD interest is taxable, and ELSS gains are taxed as equity capital gains.
04Does 80C matter if I am on the new regime?
No. Section 80C is not available under the new regime, so investments made only for the deduction lose their purpose. Choose those instruments on their own merits, or reallocate.
05What should drive the choice?
Your horizon and risk appetite, not the deduction. A 25-year-old saving for retirement is better served by ELSS or EPF than by a five-year FD, while someone needing certainty in three years should not be in equity at all.
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Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.