Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed savings scheme exclusively for the girl child, paying 8.2% per year tax-free. Parents deposit ₹250–₹1,50,000 per year for 15 years; the account matures at age 21 with full tax-free withdrawal. It's one of the highest-yielding tax-free instruments in India today.
What is SSY?
SSY was launched in 2015 under the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme. It's open only for girl children below age 10. Parents (or legal guardians) can open one account per girl, up to two accounts per family (three if twins/triplets are involved).
The current rate (FY 2026 Q1) is 8.2% — higher than PPF (7.1%), EPF (8.25%), and any FD. The interest is fully tax-free. Combined with the 80C deduction on deposits, SSY is in EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) category — exempt at deposit, accumulation, and withdrawal.
Deposits run for 15 years from account opening. After that, no more deposits — but the corpus continues to compound at the prevailing rate until the account matures at 21 years (or earlier if the girl marries after 18). At maturity, the entire amount goes to the account holder (the girl), tax-free.
15 years of deposits + 6 years of compounding
Each year's deposit compounds at the SSY rate for the remaining tenure. After year 15, no further deposits — but accumulated corpus continues to grow at the prevailing rate until the account matures at year 21.
- P
- Annual deposit—₹250 to ₹1,50,000 per year
- r
- Annual rate—currently 8.2% (FY 2026)
How to use this calculator
Two sliders — annual deposit and rate. Tenure is fixed at the SSY structure (15 years deposits + 6 years compounding).
Set annual deposit
Min ₹250, max ₹1,50,000. The maximum delivers ₹1.5 lakh of 80C deduction every year for 15 years.
Set the interest rate
8.2% is the FY 2026 Q1 rate. Government revises quarterly. Historical range: 7.6%–9.2%.
When SSY makes sense
Girl child education planning
₹1.5L/year SSY started at child's age 1 → ~₹74.5L by age 21. Funds higher education comfortably.
Marriage corpus
Account allows withdrawal on marriage after age 18, OR full maturity at 21. Either way, a meaningful sum.
Maximum 80C utilisation
If you're a parent and need 80C deduction anyway, SSY is the best-yielding tax-free option for 80C.
Risk-free child savings
Government-backed, fully insured, tax-free. The lowest-risk way to build a child's corpus.
Common mistakes to avoid
Opening multiple accounts for the same girl
Only one SSY account per girl. Multiple accounts will be flagged.
Withdrawing at age 18 unnecessarily
Up to 50% withdrawal allowed at 18 for higher education. Take only what's needed — leave the rest to compound till 21.
Ignoring the rate change
If government cuts SSY rate later, your future deposits earn the new rate. Plan with 7.5% as a conservative fallback.
Glossary
- SSY (Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana)
- Government scheme for girl child savings under PMJDY. Tax-free EEE.
- EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt)
- Triple tax exemption: deposit deduction, interest tax-free, maturity tax-free.
- Account maturity
- 21 years from opening, OR girl's marriage after age 18.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Government programme launched in 2015 to incentivise girl child welfare. SSY is the financial instrument arm.
Frequently asked questions
Who can open an SSY account?
What's the deposit limit?
When can the money be withdrawn?
Is SSY better than PPF for a girl child?
References
- SSY scheme — India Post— India Post
- Ministry of Women and Child Development— Government of India