Government small-savings scheme
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) — Complete Guide & Calculator
Understand SSY eligibility, deposit rules, interest, maturity, education withdrawals and tax treatment — and calculate how your contributions may grow over the full 21-year term.
- Government-backed scheme
- For eligible girl children
- 15-year deposits, 21-year term
- Minimum deposit₹250 per year
- Maximum deposit₹1,50,000 per year
- Deposit period15 years
- Maturity21 years from opening
Rate notified quarterly by the Ministry of Finance and unchanged since 1 April 2024. It is not fixed for the life of the account.
What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a Government of India small-savings scheme for a girl child below the age of ten. A parent or legal guardian deposits into the account for 15 years, the balance earns interest at a rate notified quarterly by the government, and the account matures 21 years after it is opened. Partial withdrawal is permitted for higher education once the girl turns 18 or passes class 10.
- Who is eligible?
- A girl child who is below 10 years old on the date the account is opened. The account is opened and operated by a parent or legal guardian until she turns 18. A family may open a maximum of two accounts, with an exception where twins or triplets are born.
- How much can be deposited?
- At least ₹250 and at most ₹1,50,000 in a financial year, in multiples of ₹50. Anything deposited above the annual ceiling earns no interest and is returned to the depositor.
- How long does it run?
- Deposits are made for 15 years from the date of opening. The account continues to earn interest for the remaining six years and matures at the end of 21 years.
- Can the money be used for education?
- Yes. Up to 50% of the balance at the end of the preceding financial year may be withdrawn for higher education, after the girl attains 18 or passes the tenth standard, whichever is earlier, against a confirmed admission offer or fee slip.
- Is SSY tax-free?
- Broadly yes, but with an important condition. Contributions qualify for deduction under Section 123 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (which replaced Section 80C from 1 April 2026), and interest and maturity proceeds are exempt. The deduction is available only under the old tax regime.
- Is SSY better than a SIP?
- There is no universal answer — they are different instruments. SSY is a rules-based government scheme with a notified rate and restricted liquidity. A SIP is a way of investing into market-linked funds, with no guaranteed return but far greater flexibility. The right choice depends on eligibility, horizon, risk tolerance and what else you hold.
Calculator
SSY maturity calculator
Results update instantly and are computed the way the scheme actually credits interest — monthly on the lowest balance between the close of the 5th day and the end of the month, compounded annually. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
Your SSY details
SSY can only be opened for a girl child below 10 years of age.
Between ₹250 and ₹1,50,000 per financial year, in multiples of ₹50. ₹50,000
This is a planning preference, not a scheme requirement. SSY has no fixed instalment structure — you may deposit any amount at any time within the annual limits. Depositing earlier in the year earns more interest, which is why the frequency changes the result.
Current notified rate is 8.2% for July–September 2026. The government revises it quarterly, so this slider lets you test what a different long-run rate would mean.
Existing account
Full years since the account was opened. Leave at zero for a new account.
The balance standing in the account today. ₹0
Estimated outcome
- Your deposits —
- Interest —
Illustrative calculation. It assumes the selected rate applies for the entire remaining term. In reality the government revises the SSY rate every quarter, so the actual maturity value will differ — the account has already seen rates of 9.1%, 8.4%, 7.6% and 8.2% at various points since 2015.
Examples
How much will my money grow?
Each row deposits the stated amount once a year for 15 years, at your current rate assumption, with the account maturing at 21 years. These are illustrative calculations based on the selected interest-rate assumption, not projections of a guaranteed outcome.
| Annual deposit | Total deposited | Estimated interest | Estimated maturity |
|---|
If you prefer to save every month
Monthly saving is a household budgeting habit rather than a scheme rule. The table below converts common monthly amounts into their annual equivalents and shows the outcome when deposited monthly.
| Per month | Per year | Total deposited | Estimated maturity |
|---|
₹12,500 per month reaches exactly the ₹1,50,000 annual ceiling. Anything above that earns no interest and is refunded, so there is no benefit in exceeding it.
Projection
Year-by-year schedule
Based on your calculator inputs. Notice that deposits stop after year 15 while interest continues to accrue for the remaining six years — that final stretch does a great deal of the work.
| Year | Girl's age | Deposit | Interest | Balance |
|---|
Method
How SSY interest is actually calculated
This matters more than most articles suggest, because SSY does not use a plain annual compound-interest formula.
The rule
Under paragraph 5 of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019, interest for a calendar month is calculated on the lowest balance in the account between the close of the fifth day and the end of that month. Interest is compounded annually and credited to the account at the end of each financial year.
Monthly interest = lowest balance (5th → month end) × rate ÷ 12
The practical consequence: a deposit made on the 5th of a month earns interest for that whole month, while the same deposit made on the 6th earns nothing for that month. Over 15 years, consistently depositing early — and ideally in April, at the start of the financial year — meaningfully increases the maturity value. The calculator above assumes deposits are made on or before the 5th.
Why timing changes the answer so much
At the ₹1,50,000 annual ceiling and 8.2%, depositing the full amount in April each year produces a materially higher maturity value than spreading it across twelve monthly instalments — because each rupee spends longer in the account. The calculator reflects this: switch the deposit frequency and watch the maturity figure move without changing anything else.
How compounding builds the balance
The mechanism is straightforward. Your deposit earns interest. That interest is added to the balance at the end of the financial year. The following year, interest is calculated on the larger balance — deposits plus previously credited interest. Repeat for 21 years and the interest component ends up substantially larger than everything you put in.
The rules
SSY rules in full
Drawn from the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019, notified by the Ministry of Finance on 12 December 2019 (G.S.R. 914(E)), which replaced the 2016 Rules.
Eligibility and who can open the account
- The account is opened in the name of a girl child below ten years of age on the date of opening.
- It is opened and operated by a parent or legal guardian. Since the 2019 Scheme, the girl operates the account herself only on attaining 18 — under the earlier rules this was 10.
- Only one account per girl child is permitted, whether at a post office or a bank.
- A family may open a maximum of two accounts. More are permitted where twins or triplets are born, on furnishing the prescribed declaration and medical certificate.
- Grandparents or others may open the account only if they are the legal guardian.
- The account holder must be a resident. If she becomes a non-resident or non-citizen, this must be intimated within a month, and interest ceases from the date of that change.
Deposit rules
- Minimum to open: ₹250, with subsequent deposits in multiples of ₹50.
- Minimum per financial year: ₹250. Falling short puts the account into default.
- Maximum per financial year: ₹1,50,000 across all accounts for the same child.
- Excess deposits beyond the annual ceiling earn no interest and are returned to the depositor.
- Deposit period: 15 years from the date of opening. No deposits are required or permitted after that.
- There is no fixed instalment structure. Deposit in one go or in as many parts as you like within the limits.
- Deposits may be made in cash, by cheque, demand draft or electronic transfer, depending on the institution.
Default and revival
- An account where the ₹250 annual minimum is not deposited is treated as an account under default.
- It can be regularised any time within 15 years of opening, by paying ₹50 penalty for each year of default plus the ₹250 minimum for each of those years.
- If it is not regularised within that window, the whole deposit — including amounts deposited before the default — continues to earn interest at the scheme rate until closure.
Withdrawal for higher education
- Up to 50% of the balance at the end of the financial year preceding the application may be withdrawn.
- Permitted only after the account holder attains 18 years or passes the tenth standard, whichever is earlier.
- The application must be supported by a confirmed offer of admission or a fee slip from the educational institution.
- The amount is restricted to the actual fee and charges shown in that offer or fee slip.
- It may be taken as a lump sum or in instalments — not more than one per year, for a maximum of five years.
If the balance at the end of the preceding financial year was ₹18,00,000, the maximum available for an education withdrawal is ₹9,00,000 — and only up to the fees actually demanded by the institution.
Maturity and closure
- The account matures 21 years from the date of opening. The balance with interest is paid on application, with proof of identity, residence and citizenship.
- No interest is payable once the account completes 21 years.
- Deposits stop at 15 years, but the balance continues earning through years 16 to 21.
Premature closure
Permitted only in the specific circumstances set out in the Scheme:
- Marriage of the account holder — on application, with a declaration on non-judicial stamp paper attested by a notary and proof that she will be at least 18 on the marriage date. Closure is allowed no earlier than one month before, and no later than three months after, the marriage.
- Death of the account holder — the account is closed on production of a death certificate. Balance and interest to the date of death are paid to the guardian. Interest between the date of death and closure is paid at the Post Office Savings Account rate.
- Extreme compassionate grounds — medical support for a life-threatening disease of the account holder, or death of the guardian, where continuing the account causes undue hardship. This requires a written order with reasons recorded, and cannot be allowed before five years from opening.
Beyond these grounds, the money is locked. Treat SSY as genuinely illiquid when deciding how much to commit.
Transfer
- The account can be transferred freely between a post office and a bank, or between branches, anywhere in India.
- Transfer is done by submitting a transfer request at the existing institution, along with the passbook and KYC documents.
- Where the transfer follows a change of residence, proof of the shifted residence of the guardian or account holder is generally required; otherwise a fee may apply. Confirm the current charge with your institution.
Getting started
How to open an SSY account
Confirm eligibility
The girl must be below 10 years old, and the family must not already hold two SSY accounts.
Choose a post office or authorised bank
Both operate the same scheme on identical terms. Choose on convenience and service, not on returns — the rate is set centrally and is the same everywhere.
Collect and complete the account opening form
Available at the branch or post office, and on many institutions' websites.
Submit documents
Birth certificate plus guardian KYC — see the checklist below.
Make the opening deposit
Minimum ₹250, and thereafter in multiples of ₹50.
Collect the passbook
Keep it safe — it is the primary record of the account and is needed for withdrawal, transfer and closure.
Set a recurring reminder
The ₹250 annual minimum is easy to forget in a year when money is tight, and missing it puts the account into default.
On opening online: some banks allow existing customers to open or fund an SSY account through net banking or their app, and deposits can often be made online once the account exists. Availability varies by institution — do not assume the full account-opening process is digital everywhere. Check with your own bank or post office.
Documents required
- Birth certificate of the girl child — the core eligibility document, establishing that she is below 10.
- Identity proof of the parent or guardian — Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID or as accepted under current KYC norms.
- Address proof of the parent or guardian.
- Photographs of the guardian, and of the child where required.
- Completed account opening form.
- Declaration and medical certificate where a third or subsequent account is being opened for twins or triplets.
KYC requirements are periodically updated and can vary slightly between institutions. Confirm the current list with the bank or post office before you go.
Tax
SSY tax benefits
Section 80C no longer exists — this changed on 1 April 2026
The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the Income-tax Act, 1961 with effect from 1 April 2026. The ₹1.5 lakh deduction everyone knew as Section 80C is now Section 123, with the list of eligible instruments moved into Schedule XV. SSY remains an eligible instrument and the ₹1,50,000 limit is unchanged — only the section number and structure have changed. Any page still citing 80C for the current year is out of date.
SSY is generally described as carrying EEE treatment — exempt at contribution, exempt on interest, exempt at maturity:
- Contributions — deductible up to ₹1,50,000 per year under Section 123 read with Schedule XV of the Income-tax Act, 2025. This shares the single ₹1.5 lakh ceiling with PPF, ELSS, life insurance premium, tuition fees and the rest, not in addition to them.
- Interest — exempt as it accrues and as it is credited.
- Maturity proceeds — exempt.
The condition that most articles omit: the Section 123 deduction is available only under the old tax regime. If you are on the new regime — which is the default — you get no deduction for your SSY contribution. The interest and maturity exemptions still apply, but the headline "tax saving" on the way in does not. Work out which regime you are actually in before treating the deduction as a reason to invest.
Tax laws can change. Verify the current rules, or consult a qualified tax professional, before making a decision on the basis of tax treatment.
Compare
SSY compared with the alternatives
These are structurally different instruments. None is universally better — the comparison below sets out how they differ so you can judge fit.
| Feature | SSY | PPF | Bank FD / RD | Mutual fund SIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Girl child below 10 | Any resident individual | Anyone | Anyone |
| Return type | Government-notified, quarterly | Government-notified, quarterly | Fixed at booking | Market-linked, not guaranteed |
| Current rate | 8.2% (Jul–Sep 2026) | 7.1% (Jul–Sep 2026) | Varies by bank and tenure | No fixed rate |
| Annual limit | ₹1.5 lakh | ₹1.5 lakh | No limit | No limit |
| Term | 21 years, deposits for 15 | 15 years, extendable | Chosen by you | Open-ended |
| Liquidity | Very restricted | Restricted, partial from year 7 | Penalty on early exit | Generally high |
| Interest taxable? | Exempt | Exempt | Taxable as income | Taxed on gains, by category |
| Risk to capital | Government-backed | Government-backed | Deposit-based, DICGC limit applies | Yes — capital can fall |
SSY vs PPF
Both are small-savings schemes with notified quarterly rates and a shared ₹1.5 lakh annual ceiling. SSY currently pays more, but is restricted to an eligible girl child and locks money up for 21 years. PPF is open to anyone, matures in 15 years, is extendable, and allows partial withdrawal from year seven. Many families use both — they draw on the same ₹1.5 lakh deduction ceiling, so the choice is partly about which goal the money is for.
SSY vs bank FD
An FD fixes its rate for the chosen tenure, giving certainty a quarterly-notified rate cannot. But FD interest is taxable as income, so the post-tax return is lower than the headline suggests, and reinvestment risk appears at every maturity. SSY's exemption on interest is a real structural advantage over a long horizon. FDs win decisively on flexibility and on being available to everyone.
SSY vs RD
A recurring deposit enforces monthly saving over a short to medium term, typically one to ten years, with taxable interest. SSY has no instalment obligation beyond the ₹250 annual minimum, runs far longer, and is exempt. For a goal 15 years out, the RD is the weaker structural fit; for a goal three years out, SSY is not available to you at all.
SSY vs SIP
These answer different questions. SSY offers a government-notified return with essentially no market risk and heavy restrictions on access. A SIP into equity-oriented funds offers no guarantee at all — capital can fall — in exchange for the possibility of higher long-run growth and full flexibility. It is not true that SIPs always produce more; it is true that they carry risk SSY does not. Which suits you depends on horizon, risk tolerance, eligibility and what else you own.
SSY vs NPS Vatsalya
NPS Vatsalya is a pension account for a minor, open to any child rather than only girls, and it is market-linked with no guaranteed return. Critically, its withdrawal framework is built around retirement, not around fees falling due at eighteen. SSY is designed with education and marriage in mind and has an explicit education-withdrawal provision. They are not substitutes.
SSY vs child insurance plans
A child insurance plan bundles life cover with a savings or market-linked component, and carries charges, a premium commitment and significant surrender costs. SSY is pure savings with no insurance element and no charges. If the concern is what happens to the plan should the earning parent die, that is a protection question — and term insurance on the parent addresses it far more cheaply than a bundled product.
Important
SSY does not replace life insurance for the parent
This is the single most consequential misunderstanding about SSY. It is a savings scheme. It contains no insurance element whatsoever.
If the earning parent dies during the 15-year deposit period, nothing in the scheme continues the contributions. The account simply stops receiving deposits and the balance grows on whatever is already in it. The girl reaches 21 with a fraction of the intended corpus, at exactly the moment the family can least afford the gap.
Adequate term cover on the earning parent solves that problem directly, and costs a small fraction of the deposits it protects. A complete plan for a child usually needs an emergency fund, health insurance for the family, life cover on the earning parents, and only then the education corpus itself.
Education planning
Will SSY alone cover her education?
Often not — and that is not a criticism of the scheme, just arithmetic. The ₹1.5 lakh annual ceiling caps how large the corpus can get, while education costs inflate without a ceiling. This calculator compares the two using your own figures.
The education goal
Tuition plus living costs at today's prices. ₹20.00 lakh
Not an official figure. Fee increases vary widely by institution and by country.
SSY matures when she is 26, so an education starting at 18 is funded by the 50% education withdrawal rather than by maturity.
Estimated position
Illustrative only. It applies your SSY inputs above and assumes both the interest rate and the inflation rate hold for the whole period, which they will not. Its purpose is to show the shape of the gap, not to predict a number.
A layered way to close the gap
No fixed percentages are suggested, because the right split depends on eligibility, income, risk tolerance and what other goals are competing for the same money.
Assessment
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Backed by the Government of India, with no market risk to capital
- Currently among the highest-paying small-savings schemes
- Interest and maturity proceeds are exempt from tax
- The long lock-in enforces a discipline most households struggle to maintain voluntarily
- An explicit education-withdrawal provision at 18 or on passing class 10
- Accessible at post offices and banks nationwide, with a low ₹250 entry point
- Transferable anywhere in India if the family relocates
Limitations
- Restricted to a girl child below 10 — most families are simply not eligible
- The ₹1.5 lakh annual ceiling caps how large the corpus can become
- The rate is notified quarterly, so today's 8.2% is not locked in for 21 years
- Money is genuinely illiquid; premature closure is limited to narrow grounds
- Maturity at 21 arrives well after an education starting at 18
- The tax deduction on contributions is unavailable under the new tax regime
- It contains no insurance and does not protect the plan if a parent dies
- Education costs can and often do outgrow what the ceiling allows you to accumulate
Who may consider SSY
- Parents or guardians of a girl child below 10
- Families wanting a government-backed component in a long-term plan
- Those who value enforced discipline over flexibility
- Taxpayers on the old regime with headroom in the ₹1.5 lakh limit
Who should not rely on SSY alone
- Anyone whose education goal is materially larger than the ceiling permits
- Families needing access to the money before the girl turns 18
- Households without an emergency fund or adequate parental life cover
- Those with a short horizon — a girl aged 9 has only 12 years to 21
- Families with several competing financial goals
Avoid
Ten common SSY mistakes
- Assuming 8.2% will hold for 21 years. The rate has been 9.1%, 8.4%, 7.6% and 8.2% at different points since 2015. Any 21-year projection at a single rate is an illustration.
- Ignoring education inflation. A corpus that looks large today may not cover the fees it is meant for.
- Missing the ₹250 annual minimum. It puts the account into default and costs ₹50 a year to revive.
- Depositing after the 5th of the month. That deposit earns nothing for that month. Depositing in early April is the most efficient habit.
- Assuming SSY alone will fund the education. The ₹1.5 lakh ceiling puts a hard limit on the corpus.
- Confusing SSY with insurance. It contains no life cover and pays nothing extra if a parent dies.
- Neglecting the parent's term cover. Without it, the plan stops the moment the income does.
- Overcommitting and creating a liquidity problem. The money is locked for 21 years — do not deposit what you may need back.
- Expecting maturity to pay the college fees. Maturity is at 21; college usually starts at 18. The education withdrawal, not maturity, funds that.
- Claiming the deduction on the new tax regime. Section 123 is old-regime only.
Before you go
Account opening checklist
- Confirm the girl is below 10 years of age
- Confirm the family does not already hold two SSY accounts
- Collect the birth certificate
- Complete guardian KYC — identity and address proof
- Choose a post office or authorised bank branch
- Make the opening deposit of at least ₹250
- Collect and safely store the passbook
- Set an annual reminder for the minimum deposit, ideally each April
- Review the wider education goal at least once a year
- Check the parent's term cover is adequate for the plan
Watch
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana explained
Eligibility, deposit rules, how interest is actually credited, the education withdrawal at 18, and where SSY fits alongside other savings.
The video loads only when you press play, so it adds nothing to the initial page load. Thumbnail concept: the 8.2% figure large on the left, "₹1.5 लाख/साल = ₹71.8 लाख?" on the right, with a small "21 साल" badge.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?
A Government of India small-savings scheme for a girl child below ten, launched in January 2015 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. Deposits are made for 15 years, interest is notified quarterly by the government, and the account matures 21 years after opening.
Who can open an SSY account?
A parent or legal guardian, in the name of a girl child below 10 years of age. One account per girl and a maximum of two per family, with an exception where twins or triplets are born. Grandparents can open one only if they are the legal guardian.
What is the age limit for opening an SSY account?
The girl must be below ten years of age on the date the account is opened. There is no minimum age, so an account can be opened soon after birth — which also gives the longest possible compounding period.
What is the minimum SSY deposit?
₹250 to open the account, and a minimum of ₹250 in each financial year to keep it out of default. Subsequent deposits are in multiples of ₹50.
What is the maximum SSY deposit?
₹1,50,000 in a financial year. Deposits above that ceiling earn no interest and are refunded to the depositor, so there is no advantage in exceeding it.
How long do I have to deposit money?
For 15 years from the date the account is opened. After that no further deposits are required or accepted, but the balance keeps earning interest until the account matures at 21 years.
What is the SSY maturity period?
Twenty-one years from the date of opening. If the account is opened when the girl is five, it matures when she is twenty-six. No interest is payable after the 21-year point.
What is the current SSY interest rate?
8.2% per annum for the quarter 1 July to 30 September 2026, as notified by the Ministry of Finance. It has been unchanged since 1 April 2024. The rate is reviewed quarterly and is not fixed for the life of the account.
How is SSY interest calculated?
Interest for a calendar month is calculated on the lowest balance in the account between the close of the fifth day and the end of that month. It is compounded annually and credited at the end of each financial year. This is why a deposit made on the 5th earns interest for that month while the same deposit on the 6th does not.
Is SSY interest compounded?
Yes, annually. Interest is credited to the account at the end of each financial year and then earns interest itself in subsequent years, which is why the interest component eventually exceeds the total deposited.
What happens if I miss a deposit?
If less than ₹250 is deposited in a financial year, the account is treated as being under default. It can be revived at any time within 15 years of opening by paying a ₹50 penalty for each defaulted year plus the ₹250 minimum for those years.
Can I withdraw money for education, and how much?
Yes. Up to 50% of the balance at the end of the preceding financial year, once the girl turns 18 or passes the tenth standard, whichever is earlier. The application must be backed by a confirmed admission offer or fee slip, and the amount is capped at the actual fees required. It can be taken as a lump sum or in up to five annual instalments.
Can an SSY account be closed before maturity?
Only on specific grounds: the marriage of the account holder once she is 18 (between one month before and three months after the marriage), her death, or extreme compassionate grounds such as a life-threatening illness or the death of the guardian. Compassionate closure requires a written order and cannot happen before five years from opening.
What happens after the girl turns 18?
She may operate the account herself, on submitting the required documents to the bank or post office. She also becomes eligible for the education withdrawal, and for closure on the ground of marriage. The account itself continues to maturity at 21 years unless closed on a permitted ground.
What happens if the girl gets married?
The account can be closed early, provided she is at least 18 on the date of marriage. A declaration on non-judicial stamp paper attested by a notary, with age proof, is required. Closure is permitted no earlier than one month before the marriage and no later than three months after it.
What happens if the account holder dies?
The account is closed on production of a death certificate from the competent authority. The balance with interest up to the date of death is paid to the guardian. For the period between the date of death and the date of closure, interest is paid at the Post Office Savings Account rate rather than the SSY rate.
Is SSY tax-free?
Interest and maturity proceeds are exempt. Contributions qualify for deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh under Section 123 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, which replaced Section 80C from 1 April 2026 — but that deduction is available only under the old tax regime. On the new regime you get the exemptions but not the deduction.
Can an SSY account be transferred?
Yes, freely between post offices and banks and between branches anywhere in India. Submit a transfer request with the passbook at the existing institution. Where the transfer follows a change of residence, proof of the shifted residence is generally required; otherwise a fee may apply.
Can SSY be opened online, at a bank, or at a post office?
Accounts can be opened at any post office or authorised bank branch, on identical terms — the rate is set centrally, so there is no return advantage to either. Some banks let existing customers open or fund the account digitally, and deposits can often be made online once the account exists, but full online opening is not universally available. Check with your own institution.
Can NRIs open an SSY account?
The scheme is for resident girl children. If the account holder becomes a non-resident or non-citizen after the account is opened, this must be intimated within a month, and interest ceases from the date of that change in status.
Is SSY better than PPF, FD or SIP?
None of these is universally better — they differ structurally. SSY currently pays more than PPF and is tax-exempt on interest unlike an FD, but it is restricted to an eligible girl child, capped at ₹1.5 lakh a year and locked for 21 years. A SIP offers flexibility and the possibility of higher long-run growth, with genuine risk to capital. Most complete plans use more than one of these.
Is SSY guaranteed?
The scheme is government-backed and carries no market risk to capital, but the interest rate is not guaranteed for the term — it is notified quarterly and has changed several times since 2015. So the final maturity value cannot be known in advance, even though the security of the deposit is not in question.
Is SSY suitable for funding child education?
It can form a solid, low-risk core of an education plan for an eligible girl child, and the 50% education withdrawal is designed for exactly that. But the annual ceiling limits how large the corpus can grow, and maturity at 21 falls after a course typically starting at 18. Most families need additional savings or investments alongside it.
More tools
Related calculators and guides
Plan your daughter's future with better information
Understand the rules, calculate the maturity value on your own numbers, and see honestly how SSY fits into a wider education and financial plan.
Sources and verification
Rate and rules last verified: 8 August 2026.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019 — Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs), G.S.R. 914(E) dated 12 December 2019, which rescinded the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2016
- Scheme rules text published by the National Savings Institute (nsiindia.gov.in)
- Ministry of Finance notification on small savings interest rates for Q2 FY 2026-27 (1 July – 30 September 2026), issued 30 June 2026 — SSY held at 8.2%
- Income-tax Act, 2025 — Section 123 read with Schedule XV, in force from 1 April 2026, replacing Section 80C of the Income-tax Act, 1961
- India Post and authorised bank scheme documentation for operational details on deposits, transfer and account opening
Disclaimer: This page and calculator are provided for educational and planning purposes. SSY interest rates, rules, tax treatment, withdrawal provisions and other conditions are subject to applicable government notifications and may change. Calculator projections are illustrative, and future interest rates may differ from the rate used in the calculation. Arthzo is not a bank, post office, insurer, adviser or distributor, and does not sell or earn commission on any product. Verify the latest official rules before opening or making decisions regarding an SSY account.