If you are looking for a safe and rewarding investment plan for your daughter’s future, then Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a great option. This scheme is backed by the Government of India and is specially designed for the welfare of girl children. You can start investing with as little as ₹250 per month and earn an attractive interest rate of 8.2% (as of now), which is one of the highest among all small savings schemes.
What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)?
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme launched under the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” campaign. It helps parents save money for their daughter’s education, marriage, and future needs. It is a long-term investment that gives high returns and also offers tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Key Features of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
Here are the main features of SSY:
- Minimum Investment: ₹250 per year
- Maximum Investment: ₹1.5 lakh per year
- Interest Rate: 8.2% (compounded yearly)
- Account Tenure: 21 years from the date of account opening
- Maturity: After 21 years or at the time of marriage after age 18
- Partial Withdrawal: 50% allowed after age 18 for education
- Tax Benefits: EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) – no tax on deposit, interest, or maturity
Who Can Open the Account?
- Only parents or legal guardians can open the account for a girl child.
- The girl child must be below 10 years at the time of opening the account.
- Only one account per girl child is allowed.
- A maximum of two accounts are allowed in one family (except in case of twin girls).
How to Open the SSY Account?
You can open the account easily at:
- Post Offices
- Public Sector Banks like SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda
- Private Banks like ICICI, Axis Bank (authorized by the government)
Required documents:
- Girl child’s birth certificate
- Parent’s/guardian’s ID and address proof
- Passport-size photograph
- SSY application form
How Much Will You Get on Maturity?
Let’s understand with an example.
If you invest ₹250 per month, that is ₹3,000 per year, for 15 years, your total investment will be:
₹3,000 x 15 = ₹45,000
At 8.2% annual interest, your return after 21 years will be approx:
₹1.15 lakh
If you invest ₹1,000 per month, that is ₹12,000 per year, for 15 years:
₹12,000 x 15 = ₹1.8 lakh
Your maturity amount after 21 years will be approx:
₹4.6 lakh
This shows how a small monthly investment can become a big support for your daughter’s future.
Benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- High Interest Rate – 8.2% is higher than fixed deposits and PPF.
- Small Investment – Start with just ₹250 per month.
- Tax-Free Returns – No tax on deposit, interest, or maturity amount.
- Secured by Government – Very safe and guaranteed return.
- Supports Girl Child – Encourages saving for daughter’s education and marriage.
- Easy Account Transfer – You can transfer the account anywhere in India.
Important Rules to Remember
- You must deposit at least ₹250 every year to keep the account active.
- If you fail to deposit for a year, you will have to pay a penalty of ₹50.
- You can deposit money any number of times in a year, up to the maximum limit.
- You can close the account early in case of the death of the girl child or under extreme medical emergencies.
Final Words
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is one of the best investment options for securing your daughter’s future. It combines the power of compound interest, tax savings, and long-term security. Even with just ₹250 a month, you can create a strong financial foundation for her higher education or marriage. If you have a girl child below 10 years, don’t wait—open an SSY account today and gift her a bright and worry-free future.
