Opening a PPF Account With SBI (2024)

One of the preferred retirement savings funds by the working class is the Public Provident Fund (PPF). The long-term investment horizon and the magic of compounding may be the key reasons for its popularity along with the income tax exemption available on it.

You might be wondering how to open a PPF account in one of your trusted banks, i.e. State Bank of India (SBI). In this article, we have provided some useful information on the Public Provident Fund (PPF) account and the stepwise procedure to open the account with SBI.

Public Provident Fund

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a popular long-term investment option scheme. It is backed by the Government of India and also offers attractive interest rates and returns with safety. These returns are fully exempt from Tax under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Investors can save tax from up to a maximum Rs.1,50,000 in one financial year. Customers can get facilities, such as loans, partial withdrawal, and extension of account. PPF is a good alternative for self-employed people or for those who are from unorganised sectors since EPF/GPF is not available for them.

Product Features of PPF

Attractive interest rate of 7.1% p.a. that is fully exempt from income tax under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Good long-term investment for 15 years.
Deposit amount can be as low as Rs.500 and a maximum Rs.1,50,000 per financial year.
Deposits can be done in up to 12 transactions for a financial year.
Loan can be availed between the third to sixth financial year.
Partial withdrawal facility is available from the seventh financial year onwards.
Account can be extended in a block period of 5 years after maturity.

Opening a PPF Account in SBI

Usually, a PPF account can be easily opened in a designated post office or a bank branch. If you are an SBI customer, you may want to open a PPF account with SBI so you can manage all accounts with one bank.

SBI has announced the launch of a digital service that enables customers to open a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account instantly in a completely online and paperless manner at any time, i.e. 24/7.

Open a PPF account conveniently anytime, anywhere, using the bank’s digital channels, Internet and Mobile Banking. As per SBI’s claim, it is one of the first banks in India to offer instant Public Provident Fund (PPF) account facility.

Prerequisites to Open a PPF Account Online with SBI

You should hold a savings bank account with SBI.
You should have Net Banking/Mobile Banking access
Your Aadhaar number should be linked to your account
Your mobile number which is linked to your Aadhaar should be active to receive one time password (OTP). This is necessary to e-sign/e-authorise the opening of a PPF account instantly.

Process to Open PPF Account

Step 1. Visit SBI portal at www.onlinesbi.com and log in with your credentials.

Step 2. Click and select ‘New PPF Accounts’ option.

Step 3. The ‘New PPF Account’ page appears. Customer details, such as name, address, CIF number, and PAN will be displayed.

Step 4. Click the checkbox if you are opening the account on behalf of a minor.

Step 5. Enter the bank branch code and branch name of your home branch. Further, enter up to five nominee details based on your choice. Click ‘Submit’.

Step 6. Once you verify all the details entered, click on ‘Proceed’.

PPF Calculator

Find out how much returns you can expect on investing in a PPF account through our easy-to-use PPF caclulator.

Important Points to Note When Opening a PPF Account

As per the Indian law, an individual is allowed to open only one PPF account.
Minimum deposit is Rs.500 as initial deposit amount.
NRIs can not open a PPF account.
You can visit the nearest SBI Bank branch and give the request for nomination updating/change whenever required.
Customers need to visit the branch to get the passbook for the PPF account opened online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to open a PPF account in SBI online

Step 1: Log in to the SBI’s internet banking portal at http://www.onlinesbi.com.
Step 2: Click the ‘New PPF Accounts’ option on the side menu.
Step 3: The ‘New PPF Account’ page will be displayed where your name, address, CIF number, and PAN details will be pre-filled.
Step 4: Enter your bank account number and branch code from which you would like to make the payment for the PPF account. Click on the ‘Get Branch Name’ button.
Step 5: Your personal and nomination details will be displayed for verification. Once done, click on ‘Proceed’.
Step 6: Your PPF account will be created in an instant and the account number will be displayed on the screen.

How 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.

Who can open a PPF account?

Any resident Indian adult can open a PPF account. In the case of a minor or a person with an unsound mind, a legal guardian can open the account on their behalf.

How to withdraw money from a PPF account?

Step 1: Fill in Form C with relevant details. You can download this from your bank or Post Office website or get the form at the branch.
Step 2: Submit the form to the bank or Post Office branch where your PPF account is held.

How to close a PPF account?

As per the rules governing PPF accounts, you cannot fully withdraw your PPF account balance only after the account completes its tenure of 15 years. Upon completion of the 15-year term, you can access the entire account balance, withdraw it fully, and close the account.

Any time before completing the full tenure of the account, you cannot withdraw the entire account balance in any circ*mstances. However, premature withdrawal of up to 50% of the account balance is allowed after completing 5 years. This is permitted under special circ*mstances only.

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. Here is the procedure.

Step 1: Visit the bank or Post Office branch where your PPF account is held.
Step 2: Request for 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 forward it along with the certified copy of the account, nomination form, account opening application, specimen signature, and the cheque/DD for the outstanding balance of the PPF account 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.

How to link an SBI PPF account to an SBI account online?

There is no need to link a PPF account held with SBI to an SBI savings account. At the time of opening the PPF account, either online or offline, you will have provided your existing savings account number held with the bank.

This means, your new PPF account is created under the existing customer ID. By default, your PPF account will be linked to your savings account.

Therefore, you can use the same login credentials for internet banking and access both your savings account and PPF account details under a single platform.

How to know your PPF account number?

When you open a PPF account offline, the bank or Post Office will provide you with a passbook. 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 get the passbook updated regularly to access the latest data.

On the other hand, you can log into your account on the internet banking portal. On the home page, choose the PPF account to see the account details, such as the account number, account balance, recent transactions, and others.

Where to open a PPF account?

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

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 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 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.

How to check PPF account balance online?

Step 1: Log in to your internet banking account.
Step 2: Open the PPF account details to check the latest PPF balance and the recent transaction details.

What is a PPF account? What are its benefits?

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a retirement savings scheme offered by the Government of India with the aim of providing a secure post-retirement life to everyone. The minimum deposit you must make in the account per financial year is Rs.500 and it can go up to Rs.1.5 lakh. In addition to providing retirement savings, you can also claim income tax benefits on the amount you invest in the account.

Here are the benefits you can expect from a PPF account.

Risk-free returns as the returns are not dependent on the market volatility.
Compounded interest rate.
Income tax deduction u/s 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Long-term investment for 15 years.
Loans and advances against PPF balance.
Low investment amount of Rs.500.
Unlimited extension facility of PPF account in the blocks of five years upon maturity.
Partial withdrawal facility from the seventh financial year onwards.

How many years can a PPF account be extended?

A PPF account can be extended in the blocks of five years any number of times upon the maturity of the account after 15 years from the date of opening the account.

How to withdraw money from a PPF account before maturity?

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for premature withdrawal.
Step 2: If you are eligible, get Form C from the bank or Post Office and fill it up with relevant details.
Step 3: If the account is in the name of a minor, you will have to provide an additional declaration stating the money you are withdrawing is for the sake of the minor and that the minor is alive.
Step 4: Submit the form and any supporting documents to the bank or Post Office branch.
Step 5: If all the information and documents you have provided are satisfactory, the bank or PO will process it and release the payment.

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.

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.

How many times can a PPF account be extended?

A PPF account can be extended any number of times without any restrictions.

How many PPF accounts can be opened?

An individual can open only one PPF account across the country either in a bank or Post Office.

How much money can be withdrawn from a PPF account?

You can withdraw the money partially after completing five years from the date of opening the account. However, you can only withdraw up to 50% of the total account balance at the end of the fourth year from the date of opening.

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 with necessary documents 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.

What is the minimum lock-in period for a PPF account?

The minimum lock-in period for a PPF account is 15 years, the actual tenure of the PPF account.

How does the PPF account work?

A PPF account can be opened by an adult for self or on behalf of a minor. The account tenure is 15 years and the lock-in period for the account is 15 years. You can make a deposit to a PPF account ranging from Rs.500 up to Rs.1.5 lakh per financial year.

The deposit can be made in a lump sum or in instalments. There is no restriction on the number of instalments per financial year. The deposits must be made every financial year during the tenure and such deposits are exempt from income tax u/s 80C.

You are required to make a minimum deposit of Rs.500 per financial year to keep the account active. If you fail to make this deposit, the account will be discontinued. You will have to pay a penalty of Rs.50 along with the minimum deposit of Rs.500 to reactivate the account.

An interest rate of 7.1% p.a. (Q1 FY22) is applied to the deposit and is compounded annually. A loan facility is available on the PPF balance. Also, you can make partial and premature withdrawals on the PPF account subject to certain conditions.

Upon completing the tenure, you can choose to extend the account with or without making additional contributions. You also have the option to close the account.

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 PO 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.

Opening a PPF account in HDFC

Opening PPF Account in Post Office

Opening a PPF Account in ICICI Bank