by The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate for October–December 2026 remains 8.2% per year. The Finance Ministry kept the rate unchanged on 30 September 2026, so SSY continues to be one of the highest-paying government-backed savings schemes for parents of a girl child. Below you will find the latest rate, rules, a maturity calculation table and the steps to open an account.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Interest Rate: Oct–Dec 2026
| Scheme | Interest rate (Oct–Dec 2026) |
|---|---|
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) | 8.2% |
| Senior Citizen Savings Scheme | 8.2% |
| National Savings Certificate | 7.7% |
| Kisan Vikas Patra | 7.5% |
| Public Provident Fund | 7.1% |
Interest is compounded yearly and credited at the end of each financial year. The rate is reviewed every quarter, so it can change from January 2027. See the full list in our guide to post office interest rates for Oct–Dec 2026.
Key SSY Rules in 2026
- Who can open: Parent or legal guardian of a girl child below 10 years
- Number of accounts: One per girl, maximum two per family (three in case of twins/triplets)
- Minimum deposit: ₹250 per financial year
- Maximum deposit: ₹1.5 lakh per financial year
- Deposit period: 15 years from opening
- Maturity: 21 years from opening
- Partial withdrawal: Up to 50% of the balance after the girl turns 18 or passes Class 10, for higher education
- Premature closure: Allowed for marriage after 18, or in special cases such as serious illness or death of the guardian
Tax Benefits
Under the old tax regime, deposits up to ₹1.5 lakh qualify for deduction under Section 80C. The interest and the maturity amount are both tax-free, which is why SSY is called an EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) scheme. Under the new tax regime, the 80C deduction is not available, but interest and maturity remain tax-free.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Calculator: Maturity Examples
The table assumes the 8.2% rate stays the same for the full 21 years, with the yearly deposit made at the start of each financial year. Actual returns will vary as rates change every quarter.
| Yearly deposit | Total invested (15 years) | Approx. maturity at 21 years |
|---|---|---|
| ₹12,000 (₹1,000/month) | ₹1.8 lakh | ₹5.7 lakh |
| ₹60,000 (₹5,000/month) | ₹9 lakh | ₹28.7 lakh |
| ₹1,50,000 (maximum) | ₹22.5 lakh | ₹71.8 lakh |
Depositing early in the financial year (April) earns more interest than depositing in March, because interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and the last day of each month.
How to Open an SSY Account
- Visit any post office or an authorised bank branch (SBI, Canara Bank, Federal Bank, Union Bank and others).
- Fill in the SSY account opening form.
- Submit the girl’s birth certificate, plus Aadhaar and PAN of the parent or guardian.
- Make the first deposit (minimum ₹250) by cash, cheque or transfer.
- Collect the passbook. Many banks also let you deposit online through net banking or the India Post Payments Bank app.
If you need a copy of the birth certificate, see our guide on downloading a Kerala birth certificate online.
What If You Miss a Deposit?
If the minimum ₹250 is not paid in a year, the account becomes inactive (default). You can revive it within the 15-year deposit period by paying ₹250 for each missed year plus a penalty of ₹50 per year.
SSY vs PPF: Which Is Better for Your Daughter?
SSY pays 8.2% against 7.1% on PPF and is meant only for a girl child’s education and marriage. PPF is open to anyone and has a 15-year lock-in with extensions. Many parents use both: SSY for the daughter’s future and PPF for their own long-term savings.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Interest Rate History
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate is reviewed every quarter. Here is how it has moved in recent years:
| Period | SSY interest rate |
|---|---|
| Oct 2018 – Jun 2019 | 8.5% |
| Jul 2019 – Mar 2020 | 8.4% |
| Apr 2020 – Mar 2023 | 7.6% |
| Apr 2023 – Dec 2023 | 8.0% |
| Jan 2024 – Dec 2026 | 8.2% |
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate has stayed at 8.2% for almost three years now, which is among the highest in the small savings family.
How SSY Interest Is Calculated
Interest is worked out every month on the lowest balance in the account between the 5th day and the last day of that month. It is then added (compounded) to the account once a year, at the end of March. This is why a deposit made on or before the 5th of a month earns interest for that whole month, while a deposit on the 6th misses that month. For the best result, deposit the yearly amount before 5 April.
Example: If you deposit ₹1.5 lakh on 3 April, the full amount earns the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate for all twelve months of that year. If you deposit it on 10 April, you lose interest for April on that amount.
How to Open SSY Account: Step-by-Step on Mobile and at Branch
- Choose where to open: Any post office or authorised bank (SBI, Canara Bank, Union Bank, Bank of Baroda, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and others).
- Collect the form: Get the SSY account opening form from the branch or the bank’s website.
- Fill details: Girl’s name and date of birth, guardian’s details and nominee.
- Attach documents: Birth certificate of the girl, Aadhaar and PAN of the guardian, address proof and photos.
- Make the first deposit: Minimum ₹250.
- Link for online deposits: Many banks allow deposits through net banking. Post office accounts can be funded through the IPPB app.
Documents Needed
- Birth certificate of the girl child
- Aadhaar card of the parent or legal guardian
- PAN card of the guardian (or Form 60)
- Address proof
- Passport-size photographs
- For twins or triplets, a medical certificate if opening an extra account
Recent Rule Changes You Should Know
From 1 October 2024, SSY accounts opened by grandparents or anyone other than the natural parent or legal guardian had to be transferred to the parent or legal guardian. Accounts that do not follow the rules on the number of accounts per family may be regularised or closed as per the guidelines. If you opened an account for a granddaughter, visit the branch and complete the transfer process.
Earlier changes include: the girl can operate the account herself after she turns 18, premature closure is allowed on compassionate grounds such as life-threatening illness or the death of the guardian, and accounts left without the minimum deposit continue to earn interest at the scheme rate until maturity.
Is SSY Better Than FD or Mutual Funds?
SSY gives a fixed, government-backed return with tax-free interest. A bank FD paying 7% is fully taxable, so the post-tax return is lower for most taxpayers. Equity mutual funds can give higher long-term returns but carry market risk. Many financial planners suggest SSY as the safe base for a daughter’s education fund, with some money in equity for growth. Compare the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate with your other options and your own risk comfort before deciding.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Interest Rate vs PPF, NSC and FD
| Option | Rate (Oct–Dec 2026) | Tax on interest | Lock-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSY | 8.2% | Tax-free | 21 years (partial withdrawal after 18) |
| PPF | 7.1% | Tax-free | 15 years |
| NSC | 7.7% | Taxable | 5 years |
| 5-year Post Office TD | 7.5% | Taxable | 5 years |
Withdrawal and Maturity Rules
- Education withdrawal: Up to 50% of the balance at the end of the previous financial year, after the girl turns 18 or passes Class 10.
- Closure for marriage: Allowed after the girl turns 18, with an application and proof, within the permitted window around the marriage date.
- Maturity: 21 years from the date of opening. The full balance with interest is paid to the account holder.
- After maturity: If not closed, the account does not earn further interest, so close it on time.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
- Depositing late in the month or late in the financial year and losing interest
- Missing the minimum ₹250 deposit and paying penalties later
- Not updating the nominee or mobile number
- Opening more accounts than allowed per family
- Assuming the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate is fixed for 21 years; it changes every quarter
Monthly Saving Plan: How Much Should You Invest?
Parents often ask how much to put in every month. The answer depends on your daughter’s future goals. A rough guide based on the current Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate of 8.2%:
| Monthly saving | Yearly deposit | Approx. maturity at 21 years | Suitable goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹1,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹5.7 lakh | Basic college fees |
| ₹2,500 | ₹30,000 | ₹14.4 lakh | Professional course in Kerala |
| ₹5,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹28.7 lakh | Higher studies and part of marriage costs |
| ₹12,500 | ₹1,50,000 | ₹71.8 lakh | Higher education abroad |
These figures assume the rate stays at 8.2% and deposits are made at the start of each year. If the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate falls in future, the maturity amount will be lower; if it rises, the amount will be higher.
Tax Benefits Explained Simply
SSY is one of the few schemes with EEE status. Under the old tax regime, your deposit up to ₹1.5 lakh can reduce taxable income under Section 80C. The yearly interest is not taxed, and the money you get at maturity is fully tax-free. Under the new tax regime, the 80C deduction is not available, but the interest and maturity remain tax-free. So even for new-regime taxpayers, the effective return equals the full Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate, which is not the case with taxable FDs.
Transferring an SSY Account
If you move to another city or state, you can transfer the SSY account from one post office to another, from one bank to another, or between a bank and a post office. Submit a transfer request at the current branch with the passbook and KYC. The account continues with the same opening date and maturity, so there is no loss of interest.
Can NRIs Open an SSY Account?
New SSY accounts are meant for resident Indian girls. If a girl becomes a non-resident after the account is opened, the rules on continuing the account are set by the government and may change, so check with your post office or bank before making further deposits.
Where to Check Your SSY Balance
- Bank net banking or mobile app, if the account is with a bank
- IPPB app for post office accounts linked to IPPB
- Passbook update at the branch
Check the balance after 31 March every year to confirm that interest at the declared Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate has been credited.
Next Rate Review
The government announces small savings rates near the end of every quarter. The rate for January–March 2027 will be announced around the end of December 2026. We will update this page when the new Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate is announced.
Why the Government Keeps SSY Rates High
SSY was launched in January 2015 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign to encourage families to save for daughters’ education and future. To make it attractive, the scheme usually pays a higher rate than PPF and most bank deposits. Small savings rates are linked broadly to government bond yields with a spread, but the government also considers social goals. This is why the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate has often stayed above other schemes even when market rates fell.
Real Family Example From Kerala
Anitha and Rajesh from Thrissur opened an SSY account for their daughter when she was two. They deposit ₹4,000 every month through net banking before the 5th. In 15 years they will have invested ₹7.2 lakh. If the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate stays around 8.2%, their daughter could receive roughly ₹23 lakh when she turns 23, completely tax-free. When she joins college at 18, they can withdraw up to half of the balance for fees and leave the rest to keep growing.
SSY for Families With Two Daughters
A family can open SSY accounts for up to two girls. If the second birth results in twins or triplets, a third account is allowed with proper certificates. Each account has its own ₹1.5 lakh yearly limit, but the 80C deduction for the parent remains capped at ₹1.5 lakh in total across all eligible investments. Plan deposits so that both daughters benefit fairly.
What Happens if the Guardian Dies?
If the parent or guardian dies, the account can continue with a new guardian, or it can be closed early on compassionate grounds, with interest paid at the scheme rate. The new guardian should visit the branch with the death certificate, their KYC and the passbook. This flexibility makes SSY safer for the girl’s future than many other savings options.
Summary
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate for October–December 2026 is 8.2%, tax-free, and backed by the Government of India. Open the account early, deposit before the 5th of April each year, keep the account active with at least ₹250 a year, and track the quarterly Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate announcements. For most families with a young daughter, SSY remains one of the best long-term savings choices.
Reviving an Inactive SSY Account
An account becomes inactive if the minimum ₹250 is not deposited in a financial year. To revive it, visit the branch with the passbook and pay ₹250 for every missed year plus a penalty of ₹50 for each year of default. Revival is possible only within the 15-year deposit period. Once revived, the account continues to earn interest normally, and you can again claim the 80C deduction on fresh deposits under the old tax regime.
Small Habits That Increase Returns
- Set a standing instruction in net banking to deposit on the 1st of every month.
- Put annual bonuses or gifts received for the child into the account early in April.
- Avoid early withdrawals unless truly needed, so compounding works for the full term.
- Keep track of each quarter’s rate announcement and note it in a small family finance diary.
Frequently Overlooked Points
Many parents do not know that deposits can be made in any number of instalments during the year, as long as the total stays between ₹250 and ₹1.5 lakh. Others forget that the account must be opened before the girl turns 10, so families with a daughter close to that age should act quickly. Finally, always keep the birth certificate and KYC copies together with the passbook, because the branch may ask for them at the time of partial withdrawal or maturity. Planning these small details early makes the full benefit of the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate available to your daughter without last-minute trouble.
Official Sources
For the latest notifications, check the official India Post website and the National Savings Institute, which publish scheme rules and rate changes for small savings schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SSY interest rate for October to December 2026?
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate is 8.2% per year for the October–December 2026 quarter.
What is the maximum amount I can deposit in SSY?
You can deposit up to ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year, and a minimum of ₹250.
When does an SSY account mature?
The account matures 21 years after opening. Deposits are needed only for the first 15 years.
Is SSY interest taxable?
No. Interest and the maturity amount are tax-free. Deposits get 80C deduction under the old tax regime.
Can I open SSY online?
Some banks allow online opening, but most people open it at a post office or bank branch with the birth certificate and KYC documents.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Interest rates are set by the Government of India every quarter.
