Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Rules, Returns and How Much You'll Get

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government savings scheme for daughters. It pays a high, tax-free rate and is one of the simplest ways to build a fund for her education.

Who can open it

• A parent or legal guardian, for a girl below 10 years
• One account per girl; up to two girls in a family (three if the second birth is twins or triplets)
• At any post office or most banks, with the girl's birth certificate and the parent's KYC

How much you can deposit

• Minimum ₹250 and maximum ₹1,50,000 in a financial year
• Deposits are made for 15 years from opening
• The account matures 21 years from opening, and keeps earning interest after deposits stop

Interest rate and how it is worked out

The rate is 8.2% for October to December 2026 and is reviewed every quarter. Interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and the end of each month and added at the end of the financial year. Depositing by the 5th, ideally by 5 April for a yearly deposit, earns the most.

Tax benefits

Deposits qualify for the deduction under the old tax regime, and both the interest and the maturity amount are tax-free.

Withdrawals and closure

• Education: once she turns 18 or passes Class 10, up to 50% of the balance at the end of the previous year can be withdrawn
• Marriage: the account can be closed after she turns 18 for her marriage
• Maturity: at 21 years from opening

What you could get: two examples

Both assume 8.2% throughout, deposits early in each financial year, and an account opened when she is 1 year old.
1. ₹1,000 a month (₹12,000 a year) for 15 years: deposits of ₹1.8 lakh grow to roughly ₹5.7 lakh at maturity.
2. ₹1,50,000 a year for 15 years: deposits of ₹22.5 lakh grow to roughly ₹72 lakh at maturity.
Actual amounts depend on future rates and when you deposit.

Tips

1. Open it early. The 21-year clock starts from opening, not from her birth.
2. Deposit early in the year, or by the 5th each month.
3. Never miss a year; an irregular account needs a penalty to revive.
4. Plan college fees around her 18th birthday, when half the balance becomes available.

Our Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Planner shows every year of the account with her age, interest by deposit month, the balance at 18 and the maturity amount. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.