PPF Account for Minors

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PPF Scheme Overview

The Government of India introduced the Public Provident Fund (PPF) as a long-term savings scheme to encourage savings and provide tax benefits under Section 80C. This scheme is suitable for individuals looking to build a secure financial future, and it also extends its benefits to minors by allowing their parents or guardians to open a PPF account on their behalf.

A PPF account for minors helps in securing a child’s financial future by accumulating savings with a fixed interest rate and tax exemptions.

The Objective of the PPF Account for Minors

The primary aim of opening a PPF account for a minor is to help parents or guardians create a corpus for the child’s education, marriage, or other significant life goals. Since PPF is a long-term investment scheme with a 15-year lock-in period, it is a beneficial financial instrument to accumulate wealth for a minor’s future needs.

PPF Age Limit

Parents or legal guardians can open a PPF account for a minor from birth. While there is no specific age limit to open the account, they must operate it until the minor turns 18. Upon turning 18, the minor can take full control of the PPF account.

You may also want to know the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate

Minor PPF Account Rules and Eligibility

To open a PPF account for a minor, the following rules and eligibility criteria apply:

A minor can have only one PPF account across all banks and post offices in India.
A parent or legal guardian must operate the account until the minor turns 18.
The account holder can start managing the account independently once they attain 18 years of age.
A minor’s PPF account has the same maturity tenure of 15 years, extendable in blocks of 5 years.
Contributions to the minor’s PPF account are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Documents Required to Open a Minor’s PPF Account

The following documents are required to open a PPF account for a minor:

Birth certificate of the minor to establish age and identity.
Parents’ or guardians’ KYC documents, including PAN card and Aadhaar card.
Address proof of the parent or guardian.
Photographs of both the minor and the guardian.
PPF account opening form, duly filled and signed.
Initial deposit slip (Minimum deposit of Rs. 500 required).

Considerations Before Opening a PPF Account for Minors

Consider these key factors before opening a child’s PPF account:

The total deposit in a financial year (including the parents’ and minors’ PPF accounts) cannot exceed Rs. 1.5 lakh.
The guardian must operate the account responsibly until the minor attains adulthood.
The account can be transferred to any bank or post office across India.
Withdrawals are only allowed after the completion of 7 financial years.

PPF Investments: Deposit Limits and Interest Rate

A PPF investment requires a minimum yearly deposit of Rs. 500 and allows a maximum deposit of Rs. 1.5 lakh. The government determines the PPF interest rate and revises it every quarter. It compounds annually, ensuring higher returns over time.

How to Open a Minor’s PPF Account

Online Process

Visit the official website of the chosen bank that offers PPF accounts.
Log in to the net banking portal.
Navigate to the PPF account opening section.
Enter the minor’s details, upload the required documents, and select the nominee.
Make the initial deposit.
Apply, and the bank will verify it before activating the account.

Offline Process

Visit the nearest bank or post office that provides PPF services.
Collect and fill out the PPF account opening form.
Attach the necessary documents and submit them to the bank/post office official.
Make the initial deposit (minimum Rs. 500).
After verification, the account details and passbook will be issued.

Withdrawal and Loan Facility from Minor’s PPF Account

Partial Withdrawals

You can make a partial withdrawal only after completing seven financial years from the account opening date.
A maximum of 50% of the PPF balance can be withdrawn.

Loan Against PPF

You can avail a loan against PPF between the 3rd and 6th financial year.
The maximum loan amount is 25% of the PPF balance at the end of the second financial year.
You must repay the loan within 36 months, and the bank charges a nominal interest rate (1% more than the PPF rate).

Conclusion

A PPF account for minors is a safe and lucrative investment avenue to build a financial corpus for a child’s future. With tax benefits, guaranteed returns, and a disciplined savings approach, parents can ensure a financially secure future for their children. Since the government guarantees the PPF scheme, it is one of the most trusted long-term investment options. Parents should consider their financial goals and plan investments accordingly to maximize the benefits of the PPF scheme.