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By Ashutosh Joshi, PGDM (Finance), B.Com · Page last reviewed:
EPF interest for 2025-26 is 8.25%, notified by EPFO on 1 July 2026, the same as 2024-25 and 2023-24. At 6% inflation that is a real return of about 2.12%.
Key Highlights
- EPF interest for 2025-26 is 8.25%, notified by EPFO’s credit order of 1 July 2026.
- 8.25% was also the notified rate for 2024-25 and 2023-24.
- The highest rate was 12% (1989-90 to 1999-2000); the lowest since 1978-79 was 8.10% in 2021-22.
- Interest is worked out on the monthly running balance and credited once a year.
The EPF rate is set once a year. The EPFO Central Board of Trustees (CBT) recommends it, and the Government notifies it after Finance Ministry approval. Until then the rate is only a recommendation, which is why this page labels each year. Read: section 123 (80C) options
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Your next questions, answered
What is my real return after inflation?
At 8.25%, the real return is 2.12% against 6% inflation, and 2.57% against September 2026 CPI inflation of 5.54%.
When will 2025-26 interest reach my account?
EPFO told its offices to credit 8.25% in its order of 1 July 2026, so it is being credited now. Check your passbook on the EPFO member portal.
Should I add VPF?
VPF earns the EPF rate. 8.25% beats a 7% FD after tax (4.82% in the 30% slab), as long as your total contributions stay within the tax-free limit.
Diving Finance view: expert take by Ashutosh Joshi
- EPF is your retirement debt base. For growth, add equity SIPs and plan for 10–12%.
- Do not withdraw EPF when you change jobs; transfer it so it keeps compounding.
This is general guidance, not personal advice. Check your own goals, tax slab and risk appetite.
How it compares after tax and inflation
| Option | Pre-tax | Post-tax (30% slab) | Post-tax (20% slab) | Real return after 6% inflation (30% slab) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPF | 8.25% | 8.25% | 8.25% | 2.12% |
| PPF | 7.1% | 7.10% | 7.10% | 1.04% |
| Bank FD (illustrative) | 7.0% | 4.82% | 5.54% | -1.12% |
Assumptions in the comparisons: income-tax slabs of 30% and 20% plus 4% cess (31.2% and 20.8%), an illustrative bank FD at 7%, long-run inflation of 6% and equity SIP returns of 10–12%, as used by our author. These are planning assumptions, not forecasts.
Worked example
A year-end balance of ₹5 lakh at 8.25% earns ₹41,250 for the next year if nothing is added or withdrawn. If ₹1 lakh is added at the start of every year for 10 years at 8.25%, the balance is about ₹15.87 lakh. Real EPF credits use the monthly running balance, so actual figures will differ a little.
EPF interest rate history, 1952-53 to 2025-26
| Year | Rate | Status / remark | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 8.25% | Notified; EPFO credit order 1 Jul 2026 (No. INV-11/2/2021-INV/E-41960/2519) | PIB ↗ |
| 2024-25 | 8.25% | Notified; EPFO credit order 26 May 2025 | PIB ↗ · EPFO ↗ |
| 2023-24 | 8.25% | Notified; EPFO credit order 31 May 2024 | PIB ↗ · EPFO ↗ |
| 2022-23 | 8.15% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2021-22 | 8.10% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2020-21 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2019-20 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2018-19 | 8.65% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2017-18 | 8.55% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2016-17 | 8.65% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2015-16 | 8.80% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2014-15 | 8.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2013-14 | 8.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2012-13 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2011-12 | 8.25% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2010-11 | 9.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2009-10 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2008-09 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2007-08 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2006-07 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2005-06 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2004-05 | 9.50% | 9% interest + 0.5% Golden Jubilee bonus | EPFO ↗ |
| 2003-04 | 9.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2002-03 | 9.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2001-02 | 9.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 2000-01 | 12.00% | 12% then 11% (EPFO remark: 12% April–June, 11% from July, on monthly running balance) | EPFO ↗ |
| 1999-00 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1998-99 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1997-98 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1996-97 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1995-96 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1994-95 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1993-94 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1992-93 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1991-92 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1990-91 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1989-90 | 12.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1988-89 | 11.80% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1987-88 | 11.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1986-87 | 11.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1985-86 | 10.15% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1984-85 | 9.90% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1983-84 | 9.15% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1982-83 | 8.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1981-82 | 8.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1980-81 | 8.25% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1979-80 | 8.25% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1978-79 | 8.25% | 8.25% + 0.5% bonus (for members with no PF withdrawal in 1976-77 and 1977-78) | EPFO ↗ |
| 1977-78 | 8.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1976-77 | 7.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1975-76 | 7.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1974-75 | 6.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1973-74 | 6.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1972-73 | 6.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1971-72 | 5.80% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1970-71 | 5.70% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1969-70 | 5.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1968-69 | 5.25% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1967-68 | 5.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1966-67 | 4.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1965-66 | 4.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1964-65 | 4.25% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1963-64 | 4.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1962-63 | 3.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1961-62 | 3.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1960-61 | 3.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1959-60 | 3.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1958-59 | 3.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1957-58 | 3.75% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1956-57 | 3.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1955-56 | 3.50% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1954-55 | 3.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1953-54 | 3.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
| 1952-53 | 3.00% | Declared | EPFO ↗ |
Rate chart
How EPF interest works
- Interest is calculated on the monthly running balance and credited at the end of the year (para 60, EPF Scheme 1952).
- The Commissioner credits interest at the rate set by the Central Government after consulting the Central Board.
- For a final settlement, interest is paid up to the end of the month before payment is authorised.
Source: DivingFinance, EPF Interest Rate 2025-26 (8.25%) & History Since 1952, https://divingfinance.com/rates/epf-interest-rate/ (data: EPFO & PIB; updated 21 Oct 2026)FAQs
What is the EPF interest rate for 2025-26?
8.25%. The EPFO Board recommended it, the Finance Ministry approved it, and EPFO issued its credit order on 1 July 2026.
What was the EPF rate for 2024-25?
8.25%, notified, with EPFO's credit order dated 26 May 2025.
What was the highest EPF rate ever?
12%, from 1989-90 to 1999-2000.
How is EPF interest calculated?
On the monthly running balance, credited once a year.
What is my real return after inflation?
At 8.25%, the real return is 2.12% against 6% inflation, and 2.57% against September 2026 CPI inflation of 5.54%.
When will 2025-26 interest reach my account?
EPFO told its offices to credit 8.25% in its order of 1 July 2026, so it is being credited now. Check your passbook on the EPFO member portal.
Should I add VPF?
VPF earns the EPF rate. 8.25% beats a 7% FD after tax (4.82% in the 30% slab), as long as your total contributions stay within the tax-free limit.
Related rates
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Change log
- 21 Oct 2026 – Page created. History from EPFO (1952-53 to 2022-23) and PIB/EPFO orders (2023-24 to 2025-26).
How we collect this data
1952-53 to 2022-23 rates come from EPFO’s official table. Later years come from PIB releases (CBT recommendation) and EPFO credit orders (notified rate). Examples are our own calculations. Read our editorial policy and how we calculate. For information only, not investment advice.