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Public Provident Fund Scheme (PPF) - Interest Rate 2025, Tax Benefits, Withdrawal Rules & Account Opening

By CA Mohammed S Chokhawala

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Updated on: Jul 2nd, 2025

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5 min read

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a safe investment vehicle with lower risk that enables one to accumulate a retirement corpus through a steady return of 7.1% per annum. An investment in PPF also makes taxpayers eligible to claim tax deductions up to Rs. 1.5 lakh under Section 80C thus reducing tax liability. Anyone looking for a safe investment option to save taxes and earn guaranteed returns should open a PPF account.

Q2 FY 2025-26 Interest Rate Update

The PPF interest rate for Q2 (July-September) of FY 2025-26 remains the same at 7.1% p.a. 

What is PPF Account?

  • Public Provident Fund (PPF) scheme is a long-term investment option that offers an attractive rate of interest and returns on the amount invested.
  • The interest earned is not taxable under Income Tax
  • One has to open a PPF account under this scheme and the amount deposited during a year will be claimed under section 80C deductions.
FEATURES OF PPF

PPF Scheme Key Highlights

Any person wanting to invest in PPF can start with a minimum investment of Rs. 500. However, the maximum amount that one can invest is Rs. 1.5 per year. The following table provides some of the key information regarding PPF: 

Interest Rate7.1% per annum.
Minimum Investment AmountRs.500
Maximum Investment AmountRs 1.5 lakh per annum.
Tenure15 years
Risk ProfileOffers guaranteed, risk-free returns
Tax BenefitUp to Rs.1.5 lakh under Section 80C

Features of PPF Account

Eligibility

  • Individuals (adults or on behalf of minors).
  • Only one PPF account per person (excluding minors).

Account Opening

  • Minimum opening balance: ₹100.
  • Nomination is allowed at the time of opening or later.
  • Joint accounts are not allowed. Only individual accounts are permitted.
  • Parents or guardians can open a PPF account on behalf of a minor.

Tenure and Extension

  • 15 years (both tenure and lock-in period).
  • Post maturity: Extend in 5-year blocks (with/without contributions) or close the account.

Contributions

  • Minimum: ₹500/year.
  • Maximum: ₹1.5 lakh/year.
  • Frequency: At least once/year; up to 12 installments or lump sum.
  • Inactive Account Reactivation: ₹50 penalty + ₹500 deposit.

Risk

  • Government-backed, safe investment. Suitable for risk-averse investors.

Loan Against PPF

  • Available after 1 year of opening.
  • Max Loan: 25% of available balance.
  • Second loan only after first is fully repaid.
  • Interest: 1% if repaid within 36 months; 6% if not.

Withdrawals

  • Full: After 15 years.
  • Partial: After 5 years; max 50% of balance at end of 4th year or year before withdrawal.
  • Premature Closure: Allowed for serious illness or higher education.

PPF calculator can be used to estimate the maturity amount and interest earned based on your contributions.

Public Provident Fund Interest Rate

  • Rate (FY 2025–26): 7.1% p.a. (compounded annually).
  • Credited on: 31st March annually.
  • Calculation: Based on lowest balance between 5th and last day of each month.

Tax Benefits of Public Provident Fund

Apart from being a low-risk investment option and assist in retirement planning, this fund also results in tax benefits, thus reducing your tax burden as well. Find out how!

Deduction on Contribution - Section 80C 

  • Contribution to Public Provident Fund can be claimed as a deduction under section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
  • A maximum deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakhs can be claimed, but only under the old regime.
  • Deduction for contribution to Public Provident Fund is not available under the new tax regime.

Taxability of Interest on PPF

  • Interest on PPF is exempt for contributions made up to Rs. 5 lakh per annum.
  • Whereas, interest accruing on PPF deposited on or before 1st April, 2021, is fully exempt.

How Important is PPF?

The PPF (Public Provident Fund) is considered an excellent investment option, especially for people uncomfortable with taking risks. While the returns may not be very high because they depend on the market, they offer stability. Additionally, investing in PPF can help diversify your portfolio and has tax benefits.

How to Open a PPF Account?

A PPF account can be opened with either a Post Office or with any nationalized bank like the State Bank of India or Punjab National Bank, etc. These days, even certain private banks like ICICI, HDFC and Axis Bank among others are authorized to provide this facility.

You need to submit the below-mentioned documents:

  • Duly filled account opening application form
  • KYC documents such as Aadhaar, Voters ID, Driving license, etc.
  • Residential address proof
  • Nominee declaration form
  • Passport size photograph

Process to Open a PPF Account Online

Step 1: Log into your bank account on the internet banking or mobile banking platform.

Step 2: Select the ‘Open a PPF Account’ option.

Step 3: If the account is for self, click on the ‘Self Account’ option. If you are opening the account on behalf of a minor, select the ‘Minor Account’ option.

Step 4: Enter the relevant details in the application form.

Step 5: Key in the total amount you want to deposit in the account per financial year.

Step 6: Submit the application. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number. Enter it in the relevant field.

Step 7: Your PPF account will get created in an instant! Your PPF account number will be displayed on the screen. An email will be sent to your registered email address with all the details confirming the same.

Process to Open a PPF Account in a Post Office

Step 1: Get an application form from your nearest post office or online.

Step 2: Fill up the form and submit it with the required KYC documents and a passport-size photograph.

Step 3: Make the initial deposit required to open a post office PPF account. The amount can range from Rs.500 up to Rs.1.5 lakh per financial year.

Step 4: Once your application is processed, a passbook will be given to you for the PPF account opened.

PPF Withdrawal Rules

In case you wish to partially or completely withdraw the balance lying in your PPF account.

Step 1: Get the application for withdrawal of PPF from the bank or post office where you opened the PPF account (Form 3/Form C).

Step 2: Fill in the application form with relevant information.

Step 3: Submit the application to the concerned branch of the bank or post office where your PPF account lies. 

PPF Withdrawal Form

An individual must file Form 3/Form C for the withdrawal of the PPF amount. This form has 3 sections:

Section 1: Declaration section where you must give your PPF account number and the amount of money you propose to withdraw. Along with that, you also need to mention how many years have actually passed since the account was first opened. 

Section 2: Office use section which comprises details like:

  • Date when the PPF account was opened
  • Total balance standing in the PPF account
  • Date on which the previously requested withdrawal was allowed
  • Total withdrawal amount available in the account.
  • The amount of money sanctioned for withdrawal.
  • Date and signature of the person in charge – usually the service manager.

Section 3: The bank details section asks for the details of the bank where the money is to be credited directly or the bank in whose favour the cheque or the demand draft is to be issued. It is also mandatory to enclose a copy of the PPF passbook along with this application.  

How to Close a PPF account?

  • As per the rules governing PPF accounts, you can fully withdraw your PPF account balance only after the account completes its tenure of 15 years. 
  • Before completing the full tenure, you cannot withdraw the entire account balance under any circumstances. 
  • However, premature withdrawal of up to 50% of the account balance is allowed after completing 5 years. This is permitted under special circumstances only.

The procedure to close a PPF account after completion of its tenure in the post office is given below:

Step 1: Fill up the relevant information in Form C and attach your PPF passbook.

Step 2: Submit this to the relevant Post Office/bank branch where the account is held.

Step 3: Your application will be processed and the account will be closed. You will receive the payment in your savings account linked to the PPF account

How to Transfer a PPF account?

You can transfer your PPF account to another branch of the bank/post office, switch from bank to post office or switch from post office to a bank. Please note that there is no online facility to transfer funds in PPF so far. Here is the offline procedure that needs to be followed.

Step 1: Visit the bank or post office branch where your PPF account is held.

Step 2: Request the application form to transfer the PPF account and fill it up with the relevant details.

Step 3: The branch representative will process your application and send it with the necessary documents and payment to the new branch.

Step 4: Once the new branch receives your application and supporting documents, you have to submit a new PPF account opening application along with the old PPF account’s passbook. You may change the nominee at this point.

Step 5: Once this application is processed, your PPF account is successfully transferred to the new branch.

Which Banks Provide PPF Account Services?

You can open a PPF account either at the post office branch nearest to you or at a participating bank branch based on your convenience. The participating banks that offer a PPF account are given below.

   

Bank of Baroda

HDFC Bank

ICICI Bank

Axis Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank

State Bank of India

Bank of India

Union Bank of India

Oriental Bank of Commerce

IDBI Bank

Punjab National Bank

Central Bank of India

Bank of Maharashtra

Dena Bank

Yes Bank

How to Link Aadhaar with a PPF Account Online?

Step 1: Log on to your internet banking account.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Registration of Aadhaar Number in Internet Banking’ option.

Step 3: Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number therein and click on ‘Confirm’.

Step 4: Select the PPF account to link it to the Aadhaar number and done.

Step 5: Click on the ‘Inquiry’ option on the homepage to check if the Aadhaar linking request is completed.

How to Activate an Inactive PPF Account?

In order to reactivate an inactive PPF account, you can follow the steps below:

Step 1: Submit a written letter to the bank or post office branch requesting to reactivate it.

Step 2: Pay a minimum amount of Rs.500 for each year you have not made any contributions along with the penalty of Rs.50 per inactive year.

Step 3: The bank or PO will process your request and reactivate the account.

Conclusion 

If you prefer low-risk investments and value the security provided by government-backed instruments, PPF can be a suitable choice. 

Bank Wise PPF Calculators

Bank PPF Calculators
HDFC Bank PPF CalculatorAxis Bank PPF CalculatorCanara Bank PPF CalculatorPost Office PPF Calculator
ICICI Bank PPF CalculatorCentral Bank of India PPF CalculatorAllahabad Bank PPF CalculatorYes Bank PPF Calculator
Vijaya Bank PPF CalculatorAndhra Bank PPF CalculatorIOB PPF CalculatorUCO PPF Calculator
IDBI PPF CalculatorUnion Bank PPF CalculatorBOM PPF CalculatorBOI PPF Calculator
Kotak PPF CalculatorIndian Bank PPF CalculatorBOB PPF CalculatorPNB PPF Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to start a PPF investment?

In the case of minors, parents are recommended to start a PPF account as soon as the baby is born so that they can take benefits of a PPF when the child becomes 15 years. For adults, the best time to open a PPF account would be when they get their first job and start earning.

What will happen if I do not contribute to the PPF account in a financial year?

When you fail to pay the minimum subscription amount of Rs.500 in a financial year, the account will be treated as discontinued, but it will not be closed. In such cases, you cannot obtain a loan or withdraw the PPF amount unless the PPF account is revived. You also cannot open another PPF account in addition to the discontinued one.

How to revive a discontinued PPF account?

When you miss paying the minimum subscription amount for a financial year, your PPF account will be treated as discontinued. You must revive the PPF account to activate it and withdraw your PPF investment. You can revive your discontinued PPF account by paying the minimum subscription amount of Rs.500 for each missed year, along with a penalty of Rs.50 for each year of default.

Can I change the PPF account nomination?

Yes, you can change the previous nomination by applying for a fresh nomination.

Can a female subscriber change her name in the PPF account on account of marriage?

Yes, a female subscriber can request a change in the name in the PPF account in the event of her marriage by submitting documentary evidence. 

Can the parents partially withdraw an amount from a minor PPF account?

Yes, parents or guardians can make partial withdrawals from a minor's PPF account after submitting a declaration that the amount withdrawn is required for the minor's use. Thus, parents can only withdraw from a minor's PPF account when that amount is used to benefit the minor, like paying for the minor's education or the medical illness of a minor.

How to convert a minor PPF account to a major?

When a minor PPF account holder becomes a major or turns 18 years old, you can submit a revised application form along with necessary documents stating the age of the account holder to change the status of the account from minor to major. The guardian can submit the application along with the account holder’s signature on the application form as an attestation. 

When to deposit money in a PPF account?

There is no specific due date as to when you should deposit money in a PPF account. However, it is beneficial for you to deposit money between 1 April and 5 April of a financial year. If it is not possible for you to make the full year’s deposit at the beginning of the year, you can make monthly deposits within the 5th of the month to earn maximum benefits. 

I don’t think I can continue to contribute to my PPF account anymore. Can I close my account?

Individuals are allowed to close their PPF account only after completing five years. Also, there are certain criteria to be satisfied in order to close the account.

Is it mandatory to withdraw the PPF account balance at the end of the 15 years?

It is not mandatory for you to withdraw the PPF balance at the end of the maturity period, i.e. 15 years. You can let the money stay in the account so that it accrues interest as long as you close the account.

Can I extend the tenure of the account for 3 years and not 5 years?

No. You can only extend the account tenure in the blocks of five years only upon maturity.

How many times am I allowed to extend the PPF tenure in the blocks of five years?

There is no upper limit on the number of times you can extend the tenure of the account as long as you extend it in the blocks of five years. However, you can only extend the tenure upon the maturity of each block.

How to know your PPF account number?

The passbook contains all the necessary information about the PPF account, such as the PPF account number, bank/PO branch details, account balance, transactions made in the account, and others. You can also login to your internet banking portal to know your PPF account number.

How to check PPF account balance online?

  • Log in to your internet banking account.
  • Open the PPF account details to check the latest PPF balance and the recent transaction details.
Which bank is the best for a PPF account?

PPF accounts are offered by the Government of India and are not specific to a bank. Also, all banks provide the same set of features and benefits when you open a PPF account. The interest rate is set by the government and it remains the same wherever the PPF account is held. Therefore, there is no best bank that offers a PPF account. 

About the Author
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CA Mohammed S Chokhawala

Content Writer
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I'm a chartered accountant, well-versed in the ins and outs of income tax, GST, and keeping the books balanced. Numbers are my thing, I can sift through financial statements and tax codes with the best of them. But there's another side to me – a side that thrives on words, not figures. Read more

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