PPF Tenure and Extension Explained

How the PPF maturity period is defined and how continuation without deposits or extension with deposits works after maturity.

Published: Published 20 Aug 2026
Updated: Updated 20 Aug 2026
Reading time: 7 min read

Applicable scheme: Public Provident Fund Scheme, 2019 (as amended in 2020)
Last verified: 20 Aug 2026

This article is for education and general information. See the Financial Disclaimer before using it for an important decision.

The maturity clock starts from the end of the opening financial year

The PPF Scheme allows closure after the expiry of 15 years from the end of the financial year in which the account was opened. An account opening date and a generic 15-year calculator input therefore answer different questions.

The calculator accepts a whole number of years to build a mathematical projection. It does not calculate a statutory maturity date from an opening date or determine whether an account has matured.

An account may continue after maturity without further deposits

The verified scheme allows an account holder to retain the account after maturity without making further deposits. The balance continues to earn interest at the rate applicable to the scheme, subject to the operative rules.

Once the account has continued without deposits for more than a year, the scheme says the holder cannot later switch back to continuation with deposits. This is an account-rule decision, not a calculator setting.

Extension with deposits uses five-year blocks

After the initial maturity period, the scheme permits extension with deposits for a further block of five years. The account holder must exercise the option through the prescribed process before one year expires from maturity.

The five-year framework can apply again after an extended block, subject to the scheme. Current forms and account-office instructions should be checked when an actual election is made.

A 20-year projection is not an extension election

Entering 20 years in the PPF Calculator merely asks the engine to repeat its fixed annual contribution and constant-rate convention for 20 modeled years. It does not verify maturity, submission of the prescribed option, the one-year deadline or the status of an actual account.

Use the PPF Calculator only for numerical scenarios. Return to PPF Explained for the broad scheme overview, or read the interest calculation guide for the engine's timing convention.

Frequently asked questions

Is PPF maturity exactly 15 years from the opening date?

The scheme frames closure after 15 years from the end of the financial year in which the account was opened, so an exact maturity date should be checked from the account records and applicable rules.

Can PPF continue without further deposits after maturity?

Yes, the verified scheme provides for retention without further deposits, with the balance continuing to earn the rate applicable to the scheme.

Does selecting 20 years in the calculator complete a PPF extension?

No. It creates a mathematical projection only. It does not submit or validate the prescribed extension option for an actual account.

References

Authoritative sources used for facts that may change over time.

Public Provident Fund Scheme, 2019 — National Savings Institute, Ministry of Finance (accessed 2026-08-20)
Public Provident Fund Scheme, 2019 — scheme text — National Savings Institute, Ministry of Finance (accessed 2026-08-20)
Acts and Rules Governing Small Savings Schemes — Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (accessed 2026-08-20)
Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018 — Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (accessed 2026-08-20)

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PPF Explained: Contributions, Interest, Tenure and Maturity

How PPF contributions, notified rates, deposit timing and the statutory maturity framework relate to an illustrative calculator projection.