Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 2025 – Complete Guide

Rising education and marriage costs often create stress for parents of young daughters. To address this, the Government of India launched the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), a small savings scheme designed exclusively for the benefit of the girl child. Introduced as part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, this scheme helps families build a secure financial future for their daughters with guaranteed returns, tax benefits, and flexible deposits.

As of 2025, the scheme continues to be one of the most trusted and popular options for long-term financial planning for girls in India.

Key Highlights of SSY 2025

• Interest Rate: 8.2% per annum (compounded yearly).
• Minimum Deposit: ₹250 per year.
• Maximum Deposit: ₹1,50,000 per year.
• Deposit Duration: Up to 15 years from account opening.
• Account Maturity: 21 years from the date of opening.
• Eligibility: Girl child below 10 years of age.
• Tax Benefits: Exemption on deposits, interest, and maturity amount (EEE status).

Eligibility Criteria

To open a Sukanya Samriddhi account, the following conditions apply:

1. The account must be opened in the name of a girl child below 10 years of age.
2. The account is opened by the parent or legal guardian.
3. One account per girl child is allowed.
4. A family can open accounts for up to two girl children. In special cases, such as twins or triplets, more accounts may be permitted.
5. The child must be an Indian resident.

Deposit Rules

• A minimum deposit of ₹250 is required every financial year.
• The maximum permissible deposit is ₹1,50,000 in a year.
• Deposits can be made in one lump sum or in multiple installments throughout the year.
• Deposits are allowed for the first 15 years only. After that, the account continues to earn interest till maturity, even without new deposits.
• Deposits can be made in cash, cheque, demand draft, or online (if the bank provides the facility).

Duration and Maturity

• The account matures 21 years after the date of opening.
• Deposits are required for only 15 years.
• Even if no deposits are made after 15 years, the account keeps earning interest until the full 21 years are complete.
• The maturity amount, including principal and accumulated interest, is handed over to the girl child.

Withdrawal Rules

• Partial Withdrawal: Allowed once the girl child turns 18 years old. Parents/guardians can withdraw up to 50% of the account balance for education or marriage expenses.
• Full Withdrawal: Allowed only after 21 years of account opening, or in case of marriage after the girl turns 18.
• Premature Closure: Permitted under certain conditions such as the death of the account holder or guardian, or if the girl becomes a non-resident.

Tax Benefits

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers attractive tax advantages:

1. Deposits qualify for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, up to ₹1.5 lakh annually.
2. Interest earned is completely tax-free.
3. Maturity proceeds are also tax-free.

This makes SSY one of the few savings schemes that enjoys “EEE” status — Exempt at investment, Exempt on interest, and Exempt at maturity.

How to Open an Account

You can open a Sukanya Samriddhi account at:

• Any designated post office.
• Authorized public and private banks.

Documents Required

1. Birth certificate of the girl child.
2. Address proof of the parent/guardian (Aadhaar, voter ID, utility bill, etc.).
3. Identity proof of the parent/guardian (PAN card, Aadhaar card, etc.).
4. Recent passport-size photographs.

After submission of documents and initial deposit, the account is opened and a passbook is issued. This passbook records deposits, interest, and withdrawals.

Penalty for Non-Deposit

• If the minimum ₹250 deposit is not made in a year, the account is considered “defaulted”.
• The account can be revived by paying a penalty of ₹50 for each defaulted year along with the minimum required deposit.
• Even defaulted accounts continue to earn interest until maturity.

Advantages of SSY

1. High Interest Rate: At 8.2%, it offers one of the highest returns among government-backed savings schemes.
2. Risk-Free: Fully backed by the Government of India, making it safe compared to private investment options.
3. Low Minimum Requirement: Even small deposits can keep the account active.
4. Tax Savings: Triple exemption (EEE) provides additional financial benefits.
5. Supports Girl Child: Helps parents plan for education and marriage expenses in advance.
6. Flexibility: Multiple deposits allowed in a year, either monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Limitations of SSY

• The account is restricted to girl children only.
• The lock-in period is long — 21 years, which limits liquidity.
• Withdrawal is only partially allowed before 18 years, and fully only after 21 years (or marriage after 18).
• Interest rates are subject to quarterly revision by the government.

Example of Growth

Let’s say a parent deposits ₹50,000 per year for 15 years at an interest rate of 8.2%.

• Total deposits made = ₹7,50,000 (over 15 years).
• Approximate maturity value after 21 years = ₹15–16 lakh (depending on compounding and quarterly rate adjustments).

This shows how the power of compounding nearly doubles the savings over the long term.

Conclusion

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 2025 is a powerful savings scheme for securing the financial future of a girl child. With guaranteed returns, government backing, flexible deposits, and excellent tax benefits, it is one of the most reliable long-term investments for parents.

By starting early, even with small yearly contributions, families can build a sizeable fund for their daughter’s education and marriage, ensuring financial independence and security.