New Delhi, Aug. 29 -- A Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term savings and investment scheme backed by the Indian government and offered by India Post as a part of small savings scheme. In effect since 1968, it offers a fixed interest income but comes with a lock in period of 15 years.

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are not allowed to open a new PPF account in India because of certain government regulations but those who already had a PPF before becoming NRIs can continue fresh contributions through their Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account till maturity provided Nationality remains Indian.

NRIs can continue investing through their NRO Account but cannot extend it in 5-year blocks beyond the initial 15-year term maturity period.

NRIs ...