Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026
Your Complete Guide to Securing Your Daughter’s Future
What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)?
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings program launched in 2015 as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. This scheme is specifically designed to help parents and guardians build a substantial financial corpus for their daughters’ education and marriage expenses. With attractive interest rates and excellent tax benefits, SSY has become one of India’s most popular investment options for girl children.
Current Interest Rate: 8.2% per annum
The interest rate for Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is reviewed quarterly by the government based on Government Security yields. The current rate of 8.2% per annum for Q2 FY 2025-26 is significantly higher than most fixed deposits and other government-backed savings schemes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Account can be opened by parents or legal guardians of a girl child
- The girl child must be under 10 years of age at the time of account opening
- Only one account per girl child is permitted
- Maximum of two accounts per family (except in case of twins or triplets)
- The account holder must be an Indian resident
- NRIs are not eligible to open SSY accounts
Investment Details
Minimum and Maximum Investment
Minimum Annual Deposit: Rs. 250
Maximum Annual Deposit: Rs. 1,50,000
Deposit Increment: Multiples of Rs. 50
Account Opening Amount: Rs. 250
Deposit Flexibility
The scheme offers remarkable flexibility in making deposits. You can make contributions through cash, cheque, demand draft, or online transfer. There is no restriction on the number of deposits you can make in a month or year, allowing you to invest according to your financial convenience.
Lock-in Period and Maturity
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Maturity Period | 21 years from the date of account opening |
| Active Contribution Period | 15 years from account opening |
| Interest Earning Period | Full 21 years (even after contributions stop) |
| Partial Withdrawal Allowed | After girl turns 18 years and completes 10th standard |
| Premature Closure | After girl turns 18 years for marriage purposes |
For the first 15 years, you must make at least one annual contribution to keep the account active. Between years 15 and 21, no contributions are required, but your existing deposits continue to earn interest at the prevailing rate.
SSY Calculator – Calculate Your Returns
Calculate Your Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Maturity Amount
Example Calculations
Example 1: Maximum Investment
Annual Investment: Rs. 1,50,000
Investment Period: 15 years
Total Investment: Rs. 22,50,000
Interest Rate: 8.2% per annum
Maturity Period: 21 years
Total Interest Earned: Approximately Rs. 42,00,000
Maturity Amount: Approximately Rs. 64,50,000
Example 2: Moderate Investment
Annual Investment: Rs. 50,000
Investment Period: 15 years
Total Investment: Rs. 7,50,000
Interest Rate: 8.2% per annum
Maturity Period: 21 years
Total Interest Earned: Approximately Rs. 14,00,000
Maturity Amount: Approximately Rs. 21,50,000
The interest is compounded annually and calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th day of the month and the end of the month. This compounding effect significantly boosts returns over the long term.
Taxation Benefits
EEE Status
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana enjoys Exempt-Exempt-Exempt status, making it one of the most tax-efficient investment options available.
Section 80C Deduction
Annual contributions up to Rs. 1.5 lakh are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Tax-Free Interest
The interest earned on your SSY deposits is completely exempt from taxation under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act.
Tax-Free Maturity
The entire maturity amount, including principal and interest, is completely tax-free when withdrawn.
Important: SSY offers triple tax benefits, which means you save tax at the time of investment, during the accumulation phase, and at maturity. This makes it superior to many other investment options where maturity proceeds may be taxable.
Key Benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- Highest Interest Rate: At 8.2% per annum, SSY offers better returns than PPF, fixed deposits, and most other savings schemes
- Government Guarantee: Being a government-backed scheme, your investment is completely safe with guaranteed returns
- Compounding Benefits: Annual compounding ensures your money grows exponentially over the 21-year period
- Long-term Wealth Creation: Perfect for accumulating a substantial corpus for your daughter’s education and marriage
- Flexible Investment: Invest as little as Rs. 250 or as much as Rs. 1.5 lakh annually based on your capacity
- Easy Transfer: Account can be transferred from one post office or bank to another anywhere in India
- Partial Withdrawal: Up to 50% withdrawal allowed for higher education expenses after the girl turns 18
How to Open an SSY Account
Where to Open
You can open a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account at any post office or authorized branches of public and private sector banks across India. Major banks including SBI, ICICI, HDFC, PNB, and others offer this facility.
Documents Required
- Birth certificate of the girl child
- Identity proof of parent/guardian (Aadhaar, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License)
- Address proof of parent/guardian
- Passport-size photographs of the girl child and parent/guardian
- Duly filled SSY account opening form
- Initial deposit amount (minimum Rs. 250)
Important Rules and Regulations
Default Account Status
If you fail to deposit the minimum amount of Rs. 250 in any financial year within the first 15 years, the account will be considered as defaulted. However, you can revive a defaulted account by paying the penalty amount along with the minimum contribution for each defaulted year.
Premature Closure
The account can be closed prematurely in exceptional circumstances such as the death of the account holder or in case of extreme medical emergencies. For marriage purposes, the account can be closed after the girl attains 18 years of age.
Account Transfer
The SSY account can be freely transferred from one authorized bank or post office to another anywhere in India. This is particularly useful if the guardian relocates to a different city or state.
Why Choose Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana stands out as one of the best long-term investment options for parents of girl children. The combination of high interest rates, complete tax exemption, government backing, and the power of compounding makes it an unbeatable choice for securing your daughter’s financial future.
Whether you’re planning for her higher education at a prestigious university or saving for her wedding, SSY helps you build a substantial corpus systematically over time. The scheme’s flexibility allows you to invest according to your financial capacity while ensuring your daughter has a strong financial foundation when she needs it most.
Start Securing Your Daughter’s Future Today!
Visit your nearest post office or authorized bank branch to open a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account. With just Rs. 250, you can take the first step towards building a bright financial future for your daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open multiple SSY accounts for the same girl child?
No, only one account per girl child is permitted under the scheme.
What happens if I miss making a deposit in a year?
The account will become defaulted, but you can revive it by paying the penalty along with the minimum contribution for defaulted years.
Can I withdraw money before maturity?
Partial withdrawal of up to 50% is allowed after the girl turns 18 and completes 10th standard, specifically for higher education expenses.
Is the interest rate fixed for the entire tenure?
No, the government reviews and announces the interest rate quarterly. However, once deposited, your money continues to earn interest at the prevailing rates throughout the tenure.
What happens if the girl child passes away?
The account will be closed immediately, and the accumulated balance will be paid to the guardian along with applicable interest.
Conclusion
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is more than just a savings scheme; it’s a commitment towards your daughter’s bright future. With its attractive interest rate of 8.2%, comprehensive tax benefits, and government guarantee, SSY provides the perfect balance of safety and returns. Whether you’re planning for her graduation expenses or her wedding, starting early with SSY ensures you build a significant corpus through the power of compounding.
Don’t wait—open a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account today and give your daughter the gift of financial security. Remember, the earlier you start, the more you accumulate, and the better prepared you’ll be for all her future milestones.