PPF account: Eligibility Criteria, Age Limit, Documents Required

People who want to build a retirement corpus for their post-retirement phase generally open PPF accounts. The PPF scheme offers tax advantages, making it one of the most appealing investment options. Deposits up to Rs. 1.5 lakh in a PPF account are tax-free, and the amount received after maturity is also tax-free.

It should be noted that the PPF account has a 15-year lock-in period. Partial withdrawals from a PPF account before maturity are only permitted under certain conditions. The scheme encourages individuals to save while also earning interest on the principal amount. However, before investing money in a PPF account with a 15-year lock-in period, it is best to understand a few fundamentals about it, such as the age limit, documentation process, forms associated with it, and so on.

In this blog, we will discuss the age limit, documents required, and other details to open a PPF account.

What is the Eligibility Criteria to Open a PPF Account?

Below is the eligibility criteria to open a PPF account-

Eligibility Criteria to Open PPF Account

Only Indian resident

An Indian citizen settled abroad can continue operating his/her PPF account

Parents/guardians on behalf of their minor children

Only one PPF account per individual can be opened

Hindu Undivided Families cannot open PPF account

What is the Age Limit to Open a PPF Account?

Though there is no minimum age to open a PPF account, minors under the age of 18 can open one by following the steps below:

The individual must be an Indian citizen
A minor’s guardian can open a PPF account on his or her behalf
Grandparents cannot open a PPF account on behalf of their grandchildren unless they are the minors’ legal guardians
A minimum of Rs. 500 and a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh can be deposited into the PPF account by the minor’s guardian in a financial year

Documents Required to Open PPF Account

Following is the list of documents that are required to be submitted to open a PPF account-

Documents to Open PPF Account

PPF account opening form

ID proof – PAN card, Driving license, Passport, Voter ID card, Aadhaar card

Address proof, Electricity bill, Telephone bill, Aadhaar card, Ration card

Passport size photographs

Pay-in-slip at the bank branch to transfer the amount to the PPF account or a signed cheque

Birth certificate to open minor PPF account

Note-

To open a PPF account offline, you must bring self-attested and original documents
The procedure to open a PPF account online may differ; however, the basic documentation and application submission remain the same

Documents Required to Open a Minor’s PPF Account

Parents/guardians of the minor are required to submit the following documents-

Documents to be Submitted for Minor’s PPF Account

Details of the minor and guardian in the form

KYC documents of the guardian along with the photograph

A cheque of minimum value as an initial contribution

Minor’s proof of age/Aadhaar card/Birth certificate

List of Forms associated with PPF Scheme

Following are the forms that are required to be used when opening a PPF account or to avail its related services-

Forms	Meaning
Form A	To open a PPF account
Form B	To make a deposit into the account or to make repayment of the loan
Form C	To obtain the partial withdrawal
Form D	To request a loan
Form E	To make a nominee
Form F	To make changes to the account details
Form G	To claim funds in the account either by a legal heir or a nominee
Form H	To extend the tenure of the account

FAQs

Where can I find the PPF account statement?

Get the PPF account statement by using internet banking.

Is it mandatory to visit the bank to open a PPF account?

An individual can open a PPF account either by visiting the bank or by using the bank’s net banking facility.

What is the lock-in period of a PPF account?

The lock-in period of a PPF account is 15 years.

Can I open 2 PPF accounts?

No, an individual is allowed to open only one PPF account.

Can I close my PPF account after 2 years?

No, the PPF account can only be closed after 5 years and that too under specific circumstances.

What documents do I need to submit to open a minor’s PPF account?

Child’s proof of age/Aadhaar card/birth certificate is required to be submitted to open a minor’s PPF account.

Priyanka Juyal

Priyanka Juyal- a Writer with a curious mind & vision to create the best out of words. Other times, see her playing the guitar, sketching or narrating folk tales!