Section 80C

Section 80C of the Income Tax Act allows up to ₹1.5 lakh of qualifying investments and expenses to be deducted from taxable income under the Old Regime. Eligible items include PPF, EPF, ELSS funds, NSC, life insurance premiums (if cover ≥ 10× premium), home loan principal repayment, and children's school tuition fees.

80C is removed under the New Regime. For tax savers picking 80C instruments, ELSS (equity, 3-year lock-in) usually offers the best long-term return; PPF gives the safest tax-free compound; NSC and ULIPs are usually suboptimal.