Your PPF, NPS, or Sukanya Samriddhi Account May Become Inactive After March 31! Know Why

31 March 2026 Deadline: If you hold an account in PPF, NPS, or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, make sure to finish an important task before March 31. If not, your account will become inactive. These accounts require a minimum annual deposit. Failing to deposit funds this financial year could lead to your account being closed or frozen, and you might incur a penalty to reactivate it later. Thus, it’s advisable to complete this task before March 31, 2026.

How much is required to be deposited in PPF?

You must deposit at least Rs 500 into the Public Provident Fund (PPF) each financial year. Not depositing this amount in any given year will make the account inactive. When the account is inactive, investors cannot access loans or make partial withdrawals. However, reactivation is possible. This involves depositing Rs 500 along with a penalty of Rs 50 for each year missed.

Rules of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a well-known government initiative aimed at saving for a girl’s future. A minimum deposit of Rs 250 each year is necessary. If this amount is not deposited during a financial year, the account is classified as a default account. To reactivate it, you need to deposit Rs 250, plus a penalty of Rs 50 for every year missed.

Minimum investment in NPS

The National Pension System (NPS) requires a minimum annual investment of at least Rs 1,000. A minimum annual deposit in an NPS Tier-I account is essential. If this amount is not deposited, the account may be frozen. To reactivate it, you must pay the outstanding amount along with a penalty of Rs 100.

Opportunity to save tax

Investing in these schemes also provides tax-saving advantages. Under the old tax regime, you can claim a tax deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C. Additionally, investments in NPS are eligible for an extra deduction of up to Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B).

Don’t forget the last date

If you haven’t yet deposited the minimum amount in these schemes, be sure to do so before March 31, 2026. Doing so will keep your account active and allow you to reap the full benefits of tax savings.