PPF ACCOUNT - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Can I maintain more than 1 Public Provident Fund (PPF) account under my name?

Only one PPF account can be maintained by an Individual, except an account that is opened on behalf of a minor.

Q. What is the eligibility for investing under Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme, 1968?

A Public Provident Fund (PPF) account can be opened by resident Indian Individuals and individuals on behalf of minors.

Only one Public Provident Fund (PPF) account can be maintained by an Individual, except an account that is opened on behalf of a minor.

A Public Provident Fund (PPF) account can be opened either by the Mother or Father on behalf of their minor Son or Daughter; however the Mother and Father both cannot open Public Provident Fund (PPF) accounts on behalf of the same minor.

Grand-parents cannot open a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account on behalf of minor grand-child; however, in case of death of both the Father and Mother, Grand-parents can open a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account as guardians of the Grand-child.

Q. What is the minimum and maximum amount that can be invested under the Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme, 1968, in a financial year?

The minimum deposit amount is Rs. 500 per annum and the upper ceiling limit is Rs. 1,50,000 per annum. Earlier the limit was Rs. 1,00,000/- which is enhanced to Rs. 1.50 Lakh vide Notification No.G.S.R. 588 (E) dated 13th August, 2014.

Q. What happens if I fail to deposit any amount in one or more Financial Years?

A penalty of Rs. 50 will be levied per year of default, if the customer doesn’t deposit the minimum deposit amount of Rs. 500 on the completion of the financial year.

Q. What is the Interest earned in Public Provident Fund (PPF) account?

The current rate of interest on Public Provident Fund (PPF) is 8.8%, which is compounded annually .

Q. When does a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account mature?

A Public Provident Fund (PPF) account gets matured after the completion of 15 years from the end of the year in which the account was opened.

Q. Can I extend the tenure of a Public Provident Fund (PPF) investment beyond the Maturity Period?

A customer can extend the tenure of a Public Provident Fund (PPF) investment for a block period of 5 years beyond the maturity period by submitting Form H within one year from the date of maturity.

Q. Can I terminate or closed the Public Provident Fund (PPF) account before before maturity?

No premature withdrawal is allowed for Public Provident Fund (PPF) accounts. Only in the case of the death of a customer, their nominee /legal heir can close the account by submitting the required documents as guided by the Ministry of Finance.

Q. Can I withdraw funds from my Public Provident Fund (PPF) Account?

Customer can make one withdrawal every year, from the 7th financial year, of an amount that does not exceed 50% of the balance of the customer credit at the end of the fourth year immediately preceding the year of withdrawal or the amount at the end of the preceding year, whichever is lower.

Q. Can I avail of Loan facility on my Public Provident Fund (PPF) investment?

Customers can avail of the loan facility between third financial year to sixth financial year ie. from third financial year upto end of fifth financial year.

Q. What is the process for transferring my existing Public Provident Fund (PPF) account maintained with another bank/post office to Bank of Your Choice?

As per the PPF scheme of the Government, subscribers can transfer their PPF account from one authorised bank or Post office to another. In such a case, the PPF account will be considered as a continuing account. To enable customers to transfer their existing PPF accounts to Bank of your choice, the following process must be followed.

The customer approaches the bank or the Post office where his current PPF account is held and makes an application for transfer of PPF account to another Bank’s branch.

Once the application is processed, the existing bank/Post office arrange to send the original documents such as a certified copy of the account, the account opening application, nomination form, specimen signature etc. to another Bank branch address provided by the customer, along with a cheque/DD for the outstanding balance in the PPF account.

Role of another Bank Branch:

Once transfer in documents are received at another Bank branch, customers are required to submit fresh PPF account opening form and Nomination form, along with their original passbook . Also customer is required to submit a fresh set of KYC documents.

Q. Can I withdraw funds from my Public Provident Fund (PPF) Account?

Anytime after the expiry of 5 years from the end of the financial year in which initial subscription was made, a subscriber may withdraw 50% of the balance to his credit at the end of 4th year immediately preceding the year of withdrawal or amount at the preceding year which ever is lower. However, not more than one withdrawal is permitted in one financial year.

(REPUBLISHED WITH AMENDMENTS)