Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 2026

Direct answer. SSY is the highest-interest small savings scheme in India — currently 8.2% per annum (Q1 2026), fully tax-free (EEE: investment, interest, withdrawal all tax-free). Open before the girl's 10th birthday, contribute for 15 years, mature at age 21 (or marriage post-18). Minimum ₹250/year, maximum ₹1.5 lakh/year. Section 80C eligible. One account per girl child, max 2 accounts per family (3 if twins/triplets).

• Interest rate: 8.2% (Q1 2026, reviewed quarterly)
• Tax: 100% tax-free under EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt)
• Min deposit: ₹250 per year
• Max deposit: ₹1,50,000 per year
• Open at: any post office or authorised bank
• Age limit: girl must be < 10 years old at opening
• Maturity: 21 years from opening (or marriage post-18)
• Helpline: 1800-266-6868 (India Post)

Launched 22 January 2015 as part of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Run by Department of Posts (Ministry of Finance). Operated through post offices + authorised banks (SBI, PNB, BoB, Axis, ICICI, HDFC, IDBI, Indian Bank, etc.).

• Highest small savings rate — beats PPF (7.1%), NSC (7.7%), KVP (7.5%).
• Triple tax exemption (EEE) — contribution: 80C; interest: tax-free; maturity: tax-free.
• Compounded annually — sample: ₹1.5L/year × 15 years @ 8.2% = ₹70+ lakh at maturity.
• Partial withdrawal at 18 — up to 50% for higher education or marriage.
• Loan-style — no collateral.
• Govt-backed — sovereign guarantee.

• Girl child < 10 years at the time of opening.
• Parent or legal guardian opens it (cannot be grandparent, sibling).
• One account per girl child.
• Max 2 accounts per family (i.e., max 2 daughters). Exception: 3 accounts if first birth is a single girl + second is twins (or vice versa).

1. Birth certificate of the girl child (mandatory)
2. Aadhaar of parent / guardian (mobile-linked)
3. PAN of parent
4. Address proof (Aadhaar)
5. Photograph — passport-size of girl + parent
6. Initial deposit — minimum ₹250

1. Visit your nearest post office.
2. Ask for “Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana” form.
3. Fill: girl's details, parent's details, nominee, deposit amount.
4. Submit documents + initial deposit (₹250+).
5. Account opens same day. Passbook issued in 1–7 days.

1. Visit any of the authorised banks (SBI, PNB, BoB, Axis, ICICI, HDFC, IDBI, Indian Bank, Canara Bank).
2. Same form-based process. Some banks offer online opening if you have existing relationship.

• Minimum ₹250 per financial year to keep account active.
• Maximum ₹1,50,000 per financial year.
• Contributions for first 15 years (deposit period). Account continues earning interest until maturity (year 21) without further contributions.
• Multiple deposits in a year allowed (up to ₹1.5L total).
• Default: if you miss ₹250 in any year, account is “irregular”. Pay ₹250 + ₹50 penalty per missed year to revive.

• Premature withdrawal generally not allowed before maturity (21 years from opening).
• Exception 1 — Partial withdrawal at age 18: up to 50% of preceding FY balance for higher education / marriage of girl child.
• Exception 2 — Premature closure allowed for: (a) death of girl child, (b) life-threatening illness of girl child, © death of parent/guardian, (d) extreme hardship (court-approved).
• Marriage of girl child after 18 + before 21: account can be closed early.

• Opening too late — must be before girl's 10th birthday. After that = ineligible.
• Multiple accounts — only one per girl. Second attempt blocked at PAN level.
• Missing the ₹250/year minimum — incurs penalty + irregular flag.
• Withdrawing before 18 — not allowed except in exceptional cases.
• Closing for “marriage at 25” — too late; marriage must be post-18 + pre-maturity to qualify for early closure.
• PAN of parent missing — banks/post offices reject SSY without parent PAN.

• Interest rate Q1 2026 = 8.2% (highest among Section 80C instruments).
• Online operation — some banks now allow online deposits via net banking (post office still requires branch visit for some operations).
• Inter-bank/post office transfer — allowed once during the account life.
• DigiLocker integration — passbook + statements pulled automatically.

Mostly no — visit post office or bank branch in person. SBI / ICICI / HDFC have started online opening for existing customers but most users still need branch.

Rate is reset quarterly by Ministry of Finance. Once your account opens, the rate applicable in any given quarter applies to your balance that quarter (not locked at opening rate).

SSY dedicated for girl child, higher rate (8.2% vs PPF 7.1%), shorter lock-in (21 vs 15 years from start; but PPF can extend in 5-year blocks). SSY wins on returns + tax + dedicated purpose.

Account must be opened by legal parent/guardian. But anyone (grandparent, relative) can deposit money into the account.

Account closed immediately. Balance + interest paid to the parent/guardian. Documentation: death certificate.

Yes — fully stackable. Both are 80C eligible (combined ₹1.5L cap on 80C). Separate accounts.

No — fully exempt (EEE). Both annual interest and final maturity amount are tax-free.

Account is “irregular” but revivable: pay ₹250 + ₹50 penalty for each missed year. Cannot be revived if more than 14 years passed since first default.

Yes — once during account life. Free. Visit current branch with transfer form.

No — account closes at maturity. Withdraw the full amount or it earns post-office savings rate (~4%) thereafter — much lower.

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao — state-specific girl-child cash schemes
• National Scholarship Portal — for daughter's education
• PMMVY — maternity benefit
• Ujjwala Yojana — free LPG (woman applicant)
• 👩 All women's schemes

• India Post — SSY official
• DFS — small savings rates (quarterly)
• Ministry of Women & Child Development
• Helpline: 1800-266-6868 (India Post)

{REVIEWED}

Last reviewed: 3 May 2026.