Girl child under 10. 8.2% (highest rate). ₹250-₹1.5L/year, 15-year deposit, 21-year maturity. EEE tax-free. ₹1.5L/year = ~₹70L tax-free corpus. 50% at 18 for education.
SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA (SSY): for GIRL CHILD under 10 years. KEY: (1) 8.2% interest (highest small savings rate, FY 2026-27). (2) DEPOSIT ₹250-₹1.5L/year for 15 years. (3) MATURITY at 21 years from opening. (4) EEE TAX-FREE (deposit 80C + interest + maturity all tax-free). (5) ONE account per girl, max 2 girls per family. (6) Opened at post office / banks. STRATEGIC: best girl-child savings — highest rate + EEE + government-backed.
SSY MATURITY EXAMPLE: ₹1.5L/year × 15 years at 8.2%. (a) Total deposit: ₹22.5L. (b) MATURITY (21 years): ~₹69-70L (with compounding). (c) ALL TAX-FREE. POWER: 8.2% compounding + 21-year horizon. EXAMPLE smaller: ₹50K/year × 15 years = ₹7.5L deposit → ~₹23L maturity. STRATEGIC: max ₹1.5L/year for largest corpus. Girl's higher education + marriage funded tax-free. Start early (under 10) for full 21-year benefit.
SSY WITHDRAWAL: (1) PARTIAL (50%) at age 18 for HIGHER EDUCATION. (2) FULL maturity at 21 years. (3) MARRIAGE: account can close after girl turns 18 (for marriage). (4) PREMATURE CLOSURE: allowed for medical emergency / death (with conditions). (5) NRI: if girl becomes NRI, account continues but no new deposits in some cases. STRATEGIC: 50% at 18 for college + rest at 21 for marriage/career. Tax-free throughout. Don't close prematurely (lose compounding).
SSY vs OTHERS: (1) SSY: 8.2% (highest), girl child only, EEE, 21-year. (2) PPF: 7.1%, anyone, EEE, 15-year. (3) NSC: 7.7%, 5-year, taxable interest. (4) Equity SIP: 12%, market risk, LTCG tax. FOR GIRL CHILD: (1) SSY highest guaranteed rate + EEE. (2) Combine with equity SIP for growth. STRATEGIC: SSY for guaranteed tax-free base (8.2%) + equity SIP for higher growth. Best girl-child combo: max SSY + equity index SIP. Diversify guaranteed + market-linked.
SSY STRATEGY: (1) OPEN early (girl under 10) for full 21-year benefit. (2) MAX ₹1.5L/year for largest tax-free corpus (~₹70L). (3) 80C deduction (old regime) on deposits. (4) DEPOSIT for 15 years (then earns interest till 21). (5) 8.2% EEE — beats taxable FD significantly. (6) COMBINE with equity SIP for girl's goals (growth + guaranteed). (7) 50% at 18 for higher education. (8) FULL at 21 for marriage/career. (9) 2 girls max per family. (10) DON'T close prematurely. STRATEGIC: SSY is the best girl-child savings scheme — highest rate + EEE + government-backed. Cornerstone of daughter's financial future. Start ASAP.