As per the statement released by the Indian Post, The Department of Post has issued a common form that can be used to open various small savings schemes accounts.

According to a circular dated April 15, instead of using separate forms, there will now be one common form that will be used to open post office savings accounts, Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi account, purchase of National Savings Certificate, etc.

India Post said it “has been receiving various references from field units and other stakeholders citing difficulties in the use of separate forms for each savings scheme as well as serious issues in printing/procurement and ensuring the availability of all these forms in all the Post Offices.”

 

It must be recalled that the finance ministry had revised rules and introduced separate forms for each small savings scheme via a notification in December 2019. As each small savings scheme had a separate form, many post offices were facing issues. However, the order has clarified that in case a depositor submits any of the notified forms as mentioned in the revised rules, then such forms may also be accepted.

 

Since this is a purely operational issue, India Post said it has decided to allow the use of the following common forms(mentioned below) by all Post Offices:

1. Application form for Opening of Account/Purchase of Certificate (AOF)

2. Pay-in Slip

3. Application form for Closure of Account on Maturity

4. Application form for Premature Closure of Account

5. Application form for Loan/withdrawal from RD/PPF and SSA Accounts (SB-7C)

6. Application form for extension of RD/TD/PPF/SCSS Accounts

India Post also clarified that for normal withdrawal from Post Office Savings/NSS-87 Accounts and withdrawal of periodical interest from TD/MIS/SCSS accounts, existing withdrawal form can continue to be used. It also clarified that in case any depositor submits any of the notified forms in revised schemes rules 2019, that form may also be accepted.

The government has eased deposit rules for some small savings schemes including PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi scheme in view of the lockdown. Investors who could not make deposits in the financial year 2019-20 due to lockdown can complete their deposits for FY20 till June 30, 2020.