PPF, SSY: The month of March isn't just about the colors of Holi, but also about financial deadlines. If you're an investor in small savings schemes like the Public Provident Fund (PPF) or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), March 31, 2026, is a do-or-die date. If you haven't deposited a single rupee into these accounts this fiscal year (2025-26), your mobile account could be closed. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) This is the government's best scheme for your daughter's bright future, education, and marriage. Currently, it offers a robust interest rate of 8.2%, which is much higher than any other fixed deposit. To keep this account active, it's mandatory to deposit at least Rs 250 per financial year. If this amount is not deposited by March 31st, the account will become inactive, and you'll have to pay a penalty of Rs 50 per year to reactivate it. Public Provident Fund (PPF) PPF remains the top choice for Indians for retirement planning and tax savings. Currently, it offers an interest rate of 7.1%. PPF account holders are required to deposit a minimum of Rs 500 annually. After the March 31st deadline, the account will be considered closed. Reactivating it requires frequent bank visits and a penalty of Rs 50 per year. Disadvantages of account closure Penalties are not the only problem, you lose many facilities when your account is inactive: You will not be able to take a loan against your PF balance. You will lose the facility of partial withdrawal. There may also be problems in calculating the interest received on inactive accounts. What to do today? Don't wait. Even if you don't have a large sum of money, transfer at least Rs 500 for PPF and Rs 250 for Sukanya immediately online. In the era of Digital India, you can do this in seconds using your bank's app or UPI. Waiting for the deadline of March 31st can often be a difficult task, as bank servers are at risk of being down on that day. Protect your savings and check these accounts today.
