Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

You can open an SSY account at any post office across India OR at authorized banks (SBI, PNB, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, BOB, Canara, BoI, and 25+ others). Post offices are generally more accessible in rural areas. Banks offer online account management and auto-debit for contributions.

At the post office / bank: ask for SSY Account Opening Form (Form-1) → fill details: girl's full name, date of birth, parent/guardian name, Aadhaar, PAN, address, deposit amount → choose first deposit amount (minimum ₹250, maximum ₹1.5 lakh for the first year). No form download needed — the branch provides it.

Submit: completed Form-1, girl's birth certificate (original + copy), parent/guardian Aadhaar (original + copy), PAN (original + copy), 2 passport photos → make initial deposit via cash/cheque/demand draft. The SSY passbook is issued immediately. Initial deposit credited to the SSY account.

Deposit ₹250–₹1.5 lakh per financial year (April–March) for 15 years → the account then continues to earn interest for the remaining 6 years (till girl turns 21) without mandatory deposits. Deposits can be made monthly, quarterly, or annually. In banks with net banking, set up auto-debit of a fixed monthly SSY contribution. For missed years, pay ₹50 penalty per missed year plus the minimum ₹250.

Partial withdrawal (up to 50% of balance): allowed after girl turns 18 for higher education expenses → submit 12th/college admission proof at post office/bank. Full maturity withdrawal: when girl turns 21 → submit maturity claim form + passbook + Aadhaar → entire amount (principal + compound interest) paid tax-free. For marriage before 21 (after 18): submit marriage certificate to close account early.