Loading suggestions…
Loading suggestions…
Retirement
15 years, then 5-year blocks — the withdrawal and loan windows in the 2019 scheme text.
The Public Provident Fund runs 15 years at the notified small-savings rate — 7.1% since April 2020, unchanged through the Q2 FY 2026-27 revision — and then extends in five-year blocks if you choose. Most PPF mistakes come from not knowing which window is open when: loans in early years, one partial withdrawal a year after year five, and different limits inside an extension. The Public Provident Fund Scheme, 2019 text behind this guide is linked below.
From year two to year five, you can take a loan of up to 25% of the balance of the second-preceding year. From the year after the end of the fifth year, one partial withdrawal a year is allowed — the lower of 50% of the balance at the end of the fourth preceding year or the preceding year. Deposits are capped at ₹1.5 lakh a year, qualify for 80C, and interest plus maturity are tax-free (EEE).
After 15 years the account can be extended in five-year blocks, with or without fresh contributions. Inside an extension, withdrawals are limited to 60% of the balance at the start of the block if you keep contributing (or 60% of the balance at the start of each single extension year without contributions), once a year. Miss the window and the money simply keeps compounding — PPF has no mandatory payout.
PPF's tax treatment (EEE) and sovereign small-savings status make it the debt sleeve of many retirement portfolios, but the rate is notified quarterly and moves — 7.1% has held since April 2020, yet nothing freezes it. The honest model is: no live rate feed here, run the PPF calculator on the notified rate and re-check it each quarter against the Department of Economic Affairs' revision orders.
Project PPF maturity and extension →
From the year after the end of the fifth year of the account, once a year — capped at the lower of 50% of the balance at the end of the fourth preceding year or the preceding year. Before that, only loans (years 2–5, up to 25% of the second-preceding-year balance) are available.
The full balance can be withdrawn tax-free, or the account can be extended in five-year blocks. Inside an extension you can withdraw up to 60% of the block-start balance (once a year) if you continue depositing, or of each year's opening balance if you don't.
7.1% a year, notified quarterly by the Ministry of Finance — unchanged since April 2020 and through the Q2 FY 2026-27 revision dated 30.06.2026. This site has no live rates feed: check the DEA or India Post pages for the current quarter before acting.
Reviewed 24 Sept 2026. Rates are notified quarterly and rules change — PFRDA, EPFO, India Post and the Department of Economic Affairs are the authority, and this hub links straight to them.