Worked example
Deposit ₹1,50,000 a year for 15 years at 7.1% and the PPF balance is ₹40,68,209. Extend it by 10 more years and keep depositing, and it grows to ₹1,03,08,015. Extend it but stop depositing, and the balance grows to ₹80,77,891 on interest alone.
- Yearly deposit
- ₹1,50,000
- Interest rate (per year)
- 7.1%
- Balance at 15 years
- ₹40,68,209
- Balance at 25 years, with deposits
- ₹1,03,08,015
- Balance at 25 years, without deposits
- ₹80,77,891
| Years | Keep depositing | Stop depositing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | ₹40,68,209 | ₹40,68,209 | ₹0 |
| 20 | ₹66,58,288 | ₹57,32,587 | ₹9,25,701 |
| 25 | ₹1,03,08,015 | ₹80,77,891 | ₹22,30,124 |
Maturity and extension
- The account matures 15 years after the end of the financial year in which it was opened.
- At maturity you can close it and take the full balance, keep it without new deposits, or extend it with deposits.
- Without deposits: keep the account for as long as you like. It keeps earning interest and you can withdraw any amount once a year. Once you have continued without deposits for more than a year, you cannot switch back to deposits.
- With deposits: apply within one year of maturity to extend in blocks of 5 years. You cannot cancel the extension later. During each block you can withdraw up to 60% of the balance at the start of the block in total, in one go or yearly.
- If you deposit after maturity without applying for an extension within a year, those deposits are refunded without interest.
From the PPF Scheme, 2019 as amended. The full set of PPF rules is on the PPF calculator page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend a PPF account after 15 years?
Yes. At maturity you can close the account, keep it without new deposits, or extend it with deposits in blocks of 5 years. To extend with deposits you must apply within one year of maturity.
How much could my PPF grow with an extension?
Depositing ₹1,50,000 a year at 7.1% gives about ₹40.68 lakh after 15 years, about ₹66.58 lakh after 20 years and about ₹1.03 crore after 25 years. The rate changes every quarter, so this is an illustration for the current Oct–Dec 2026 rate.
What if I extend but stop depositing?
The balance keeps earning interest at the PPF rate and you can withdraw once a year. In the table above, the “Stop depositing” column shows how much the 15-year balance grows to on interest alone.
Can I withdraw money during the extension?
With deposits, you can withdraw up to 60% of the balance you had at the start of the block, in total, in one go or yearly. See the rules below for the full text.
Is the interest during the extension still tax-free?
Yes. PPF interest and the maturity amount are tax-free. The result here is an illustration, not investment, tax or legal advice.