Ministry of Finance
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
High interest rate of 8.2% p.a. (compounded annually); EEE tax benefit — 80C deduction (₹1.5 lakh/year) + tax-free interest + tax-free maturity; maturity amount used for girl's higher education or marriage after 18 years; guaranteed returns with no market risk; partial withdrawal (50%) allowed after age 18 for education
Annual minimum contribution ₹250 (max ₹1.5 lakh); maturity at girl's age 21
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed small savings scheme launched on January 22, 2015 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, specifically designed for the financial security of the girl child. A parent or legal guardian can open an SSY account at any post office or authorized bank for a girl child below 10 years of age. The account earns a high government-fixed interest rate (8.2% p.a. for Q1 FY 2025-26) and matures when the girl turns 21 years, or on marriage after 18. Contributions of minimum ₹250 to maximum ₹1.5 lakh per year qualify for income tax deduction under Section 80C. Premature withdrawal of 50% is allowed after the girl turns 18 for education expenses. The scheme offers EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax benefit — contributions, interest, and maturity are all tax-free.
Am I Eligible?
Quick check — answer 3 questions
Is your age between 0 and 10 years?
Is your annual family income under ₹1 Cr?
Do you live in India?
Benefit Details
High interest rate of 8.2% p.a. (compounded annually); EEE tax benefit — 80C deduction (₹1.5 lakh/year) + tax-free interest + tax-free maturity; maturity amount used for girl's higher education or marriage after 18 years; guaranteed returns with no market risk; partial withdrawal (50%) allowed after age 18 for education
Provided by Central Government
Annual minimum contribution ₹250 (max ₹1.5 lakh); maturity at girl's age 21
Eligibility Criteria
Girl child below 10 years of age at the time of account opening; account opened by parent or legal guardian; maximum 2 SSY accounts per family (one per girl) — exception for twins/triplets; girl must be an Indian citizen (NRI children not eligible); account remains active after NRI status change if the girl was a resident at opening
0 to 10 years
Up to ₹1 Cr / year
Rural & Urban (Both)
Required Documents
💡 Tip: Keep original documents and 2 photocopies ready. Self-attest all photocopies.
How to Apply
Choose: Post Office or Authorized Bank
online / offlineYou 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.
Collect and Fill SSY Account Opening Form
offlineAt 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 Documents and Initial Deposit
offlineSubmit: 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.
Make Annual Contributions
online / offlineDeposit ₹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.
Claim Partial Withdrawal and Maturity
offlinePartial 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Summary
Related Schemes
Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (Maharashtra)
₹1,500 per month paid via Direct Benefit Transfer to Aadhaar-linked bank account for eligible Maharashtra women aged 21–65 years with annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
No direct cash transfer — scheme focuses on social awareness campaigns, community mobilization, school enrollment drives for girls, self-defence training camps, gender sensitization programs, and Beti Bachao events; states link Beti Bachao with girl child scholarship schemes
Gruha Lakshmi Scheme (Karnataka)
₹2,000 per month (₹24,000 per year) transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the woman head of family or housewife in Karnataka — no conditions on usage
Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana (UP)
Total ₹25,000 per girl child in 6 instalments: ₹5,000 at birth (within 6 months), ₹2,000 at Class 1 admission, ₹3,000 at Class 6 admission, ₹5,000 at Class 9 admission, ₹5,000 at Class 10/12 pass, ₹10,000 at graduation/diploma admission — paid via DBT to mother/guardian's Aadhaar-linked bank
⚠️ Disclaimer: Information is compiled from official government sources for guidance purposes. Eligibility and benefits may vary. Always verify with the official portal or nearest government office before applying.
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