Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Update: 8.2% Interest Rate, Deposit Limit and Rules

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Update: Parents investing for their daughters’ future have received an important update on the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY). The Government of India has retained the scheme’s interest rate at 8.2% per annum for the October-December 2026 quarter. This means investors will continue to earn the same interest rate during the current quarter.

The government reviews interest rates on small savings schemes every three months. However, the quarterly review does not necessarily result in a rate revision. The latest decision keeps the Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) interest rate unchanged for another quarter.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings scheme designed to help parents build a long-term financial fund for their daughters’ education and future needs. Parents or legal guardians can open an account for an eligible girl child and deposit money regularly within the prescribed limits.

Here is a detailed look at the latest SSY interest rate, minimum investment, maximum deposit, account maturity, withdrawal rules and other important details.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Interest Rate: Latest Update

The government has kept the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate unchanged at 8.2% for the October-December 2026 quarter.

The scheme offers annual compounding, with interest calculated monthly and credited to the account at the end of the financial year.

The 8.2% interest rate is applicable for the current quarter. The government may revise it in a future quarterly review, so investors should check the latest notification before making financial projections.

What Is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme launched on January 22, 2015, under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.

The scheme encourages families to save money for a girl child’s long-term financial requirements. It offers a government-notified interest rate and allows parents or guardians to build savings over an extended period.

Unlike ordinary savings accounts, SSY has specific eligibility conditions, deposit limits and withdrawal rules. The account is designed primarily for long-term goals such as higher education and financial security.

Who Can Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account?

Parents or legal guardians can open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account in the name of an eligible girl child.

The main eligibility conditions are:

• The girl child must be below 10 years of age on the date of account opening.
• Only one account can be opened in the name of a girl child.
• A family can generally open accounts for up to two girl children.
• Exceptions are available in specified cases involving twins or triplets, subject to the scheme rules.
• The account can be opened at an authorised bank or post office.

The account is operated by the parent or legal guardian until the girl child turns 18. After attaining 18 years of age, the account holder can operate the account herself after completing the required formalities.

How Much Money Can You Deposit in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

The scheme allows parents to start investing with a relatively small amount.

The minimum deposit is ₹250 in a financial year, while the maximum permitted deposit is ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year.

Deposits can be made in multiples of ₹50, subject to the minimum and maximum limits.

For example, parents can deposit ₹500, ₹1,000, ₹5,000 or ₹10,000 during a financial year. They can also make multiple deposits instead of investing the entire amount in one transaction.

However, the total eligible deposit in a financial year cannot exceed ₹1.5 lakh.

How Long Do You Need to Invest in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

One important feature of SSY is that the deposit period and maturity period are different.

Parents need to make deposits for 15 years from the date of account opening. However, the account matures after 21 years from the date it was opened.

For example, if a parent opens an account when the girl child is five years old:

• Deposits can be made for the first 15 years after opening the account.
• No further deposits are required after the deposit period ends.
• The account continues to earn interest under the applicable scheme rules until maturity.
• The account matures after 21 years from its opening date.

This long-term structure allows savings to continue growing even after the deposit period has ended.

How Much Money Can You Get from Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

The final maturity amount depends on the total deposits, the timing of deposits and the interest rates applicable over the investment period.

For an illustration, suppose parents deposit ₹1.5 lakh every year for 15 years.

The actual maturity value will depend on the interest rates notified by the government during the account’s tenure and the timing of deposits. Therefore, a fixed maturity amount should not be assumed by applying today’s 8.2% rate to the entire 21-year period.

The scheme’s interest rate can change during future quarterly reviews.

Can You Withdraw Money from Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Before Maturity?

Yes. The scheme permits partial withdrawals for higher education, subject to specific conditions.

The account holder can withdraw up to 50% of the balance available at the end of the preceding financial year for eligible higher education expenses.

The withdrawal facility becomes available after the girl child:

• Attains 18 years of age; or
• Passes Class 10,

whichever condition is met earlier.

The account holder must provide supporting documents, such as proof of admission or a fee requirement, as prescribed under the scheme rules.

The withdrawal amount is limited to the actual requirement for education, subject to the permitted maximum.

When Can a Sukanya Samriddhi Account Be Closed Before 21 Years?

Premature closure is permitted only in specified circumstances under the scheme rules.

One important provision relates to the marriage of the account holder. The account can be closed if the girl has attained 18 years of age and the closure application is made within the prescribed period around the marriage.

Premature closure may also be permitted in certain exceptional circumstances, such as the death of the account holder or specified compassionate grounds, subject to the applicable rules and documentation.

Members should check the exact eligibility and required documents with their bank or post office before applying for premature closure.

What Happens If You Do Not Deposit the Minimum ₹250?

If the account holder does not deposit the minimum ₹250 in a financial year, the account becomes a default account under the scheme provisions.

Such an account can be regularised by paying the minimum required deposit for each year of default along with the prescribed penalty.

The penalty is ₹50 for each year of default, in addition to the minimum deposit due for the respective year.

Parents should therefore ensure that at least ₹250 is deposited every financial year to keep the account regular.

What Documents Are Required to Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account?

Parents or guardians generally need the following documents to open an SSY account:

1. Sukanya Samriddhi Account opening form.
2. Birth certificate of the girl child.
3. Identity and address proof of the parent or legal guardian.
4. Aadhaar details, as required.
5. PAN card or Form 60, as applicable.
6. Initial deposit of at least ₹250.

The bank or post office may request additional documents depending on the application and applicable KYC requirements.

How to Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account?

Parents can open an SSY account through an authorised bank or post office.

The general process is as follows:

1. Visit an authorised bank branch or post office.
2. Request the Sukanya Samriddhi Account opening form.
3. Fill in the girl child’s and guardian’s details.
4. Submit the required documents.
5. Deposit at least ₹250 to open the account.
6. Collect the account details and preserve the passbook or account records.

Parents should verify that the account has been opened in the girl’s name and that all personal details have been entered correctly.

Are Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Deposits Tax-Free?

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers tax benefits under the applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act.

Eligible deposits qualify for deduction under Section 80C, subject to the overall deduction limit and the applicable tax regime.

Interest earned and the eligible maturity proceeds are tax-exempt under the scheme’s applicable provisions.

However, the Section 80C deduction is generally available under the old tax regime and is not available under the new tax regime. Parents should consider their tax regime before making investment decisions.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Important Things Parents Should Remember

Before opening or investing in an SSY account, parents should keep these points in mind:

• The girl child must be below 10 years of age when the account is opened.
• The minimum annual deposit is ₹250.
• The maximum annual deposit is ₹1.5 lakh.
• Deposits are required for 15 years from account opening.
• The account matures after 21 years from opening.
• Partial withdrawal is available for eligible higher education expenses.
• The interest rate can change during future government reviews.
• The account is intended for long-term savings rather than short-term withdrawals.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana FAQs

1. What is the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate in November 2026?

The interest rate is 8.2% per annum for the October-December 2026 quarter.

2. Has the government increased the SSY interest rate for October-December 2026?

No. The government has retained the interest rate at 8.2% for this quarter.

3. What is the minimum investment in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

The minimum deposit is ₹250 in a financial year.

4. What is the maximum investment limit in SSY?

Parents can deposit a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year.

5. How many years do parents need to deposit money?

Deposits are required for 15 years from the date of account opening. The account matures after 21 years.

6. Can parents withdraw SSY money for their daughter’s education?

Yes. Eligible partial withdrawals of up to 50% of the balance at the end of the preceding financial year are permitted for higher education, subject to the scheme’s conditions.

7. Can an SSY account be opened for a girl who is 10 years old?

The account must be opened before the girl child attains 10 years of age. A new account cannot ordinarily be opened after she reaches that age.

8. Is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana a government-backed scheme?

Yes. It is a Government of India small savings scheme with interest rates notified periodically by the government.

Conclusion

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana continues to offer an interest rate of 8.2% per annum for the October-December 2026 quarter. The scheme allows parents to invest between ₹250 and ₹1.5 lakh annually for their daughters’ long-term financial needs.

With a 15-year deposit period, 21-year maturity and education-related partial withdrawal facility, SSY remains an option for families planning long-term savings for a girl child.

However, parents should remember that the interest rate may change in future quarterly reviews. They should also understand the deposit, withdrawal and tax rules before opening an account or deciding how much to invest.