Tax-Saving Investments Under 80C: ELSS, PPF, NSC – Which is Best?
Tax-Saving Investments Under 80C: ELSS, PPF, NSC – Which Is Best in 2026 ? Every March, salary slips start showing “Proposed Tax”, HR bombards you with mails about proofs, and suddenly everyone is asking the same question: “Where should I invest under Section 80C – ELSS, PPF, or NSC?” Section 80C is still the most popular tax-saving section in India, letting you claim deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh per year on specified investments like ELSS, PPF, NSC, EPF, life insurance, home loan principal and more. But not all 80C investments are equal. Some are safe but slow, others are powerful but volatile, and one might fit you better in 2026 depending on your age, goals, and risk appetite. In this guide, you’ll learn: How Section 80C actually works in FY 2025–26. What ELSS, PPF, and NSC really are (in plain English). A side‑by‑side comparison of risk, returns, lock‑in, and tax treatment. Which one is “best” for salaried beginners, conservative investors, and wealth builders. Section 80C Basics in...