Sukanya Samriddhi Eligibility Checker — SSY Account Opening 2026
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana — Key Features
| Interest Rate | 8.2% p.a. compounded annually (Q1 FY 2025-26 rate — reviewed quarterly) |
| Minimum Deposit | ₹250 per year (account remains active) |
| Maximum Deposit | ₹1,50,000 per year |
| Active Deposit Period | 15 years from account opening |
| Maturity | 21 years from account opening |
| Partial Withdrawal | Up to 50% of balance when girl turns 18 (for education or marriage) |
| Tax Status | EEE — Section 80C deduction (up to ₹1.5L), interest tax-free, maturity proceeds tax-free |
| Where to Open | India Post (any branch) or authorized banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, PNB, etc.) |
Why SSY Beats Fixed Deposits for Girl Child Savings
At 8.2% p.a. compounded annually with full EEE tax status, SSY outperforms most FDs (which are taxable on interest). For a parent in the 30% tax bracket, the effective FD rate would need to be ~11.7% to match SSY's post-tax return — which no FD currently offers.
Worked Example — ₹12,000/year for 15 Years
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Deposit | ₹12,000 (₹1,000/month) |
| Deposit Period | 15 years |
| Total Invested | ₹1,80,000 |
| Interest Earned | ~₹3,35,000 (at 8.2%) |
| Maturity Value (21 years) | ~₹5,15,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an SSY account for my adopted daughter?
Yes. The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules were amended in 2019 to explicitly allow accounts for legally adopted girl children. You will need to provide the adoption deed/court order as proof of legal guardianship.
What happens if I miss the minimum ₹250 deposit in a year?
The account is classified as "defaulted." To reactivate it, you must pay a penalty of ₹50 per defaulted year along with the minimum deposit of ₹250 for each such year. Defaulted accounts continue to earn interest but cannot have new deposits until reactivated.
Can I make a partial withdrawal before the girl turns 18?
No. Partial withdrawals are only permitted after the girl child turns 18 and only for higher education or marriage purposes. The withdrawal is capped at 50% of the balance as of the end of the previous financial year.
What is the premature closure rule?
Premature closure is allowed (after 5 years) only in exceptional circumstances: (1) death of the account holder, (2) life-threatening illness of the account holder requiring immediate treatment, or (3) death of the guardian. On marriage of the girl child after she turns 18, premature closure is also allowed.
Is SSY better than PPF for my daughter's savings?
SSY currently offers 8.2% vs PPF's 7.1% (both EEE). SSY has a 15-year active deposit period with 21-year maturity, vs PPF's 15-year tenure extendable in 5-year blocks. SSY is exclusively for girl children while PPF is open to all. For a girl child, SSY is generally the better option due to the higher interest rate. You can use both — SSY for the girl child and PPF for yourself (both get Section 80C deduction).
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Informational Only: This calculator is based on Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules 2016 (as amended in 2019). Interest rate shown is 8.2% p.a. applicable from Q1 FY 2025-26 — rates are reviewed quarterly and may change. Maturity projections assume a constant rate and are indicative only. This does not constitute financial advice. Consult your bank or post office for current rates and account opening procedures.