Investments
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
The highest-yielding Government-backed scheme — 8.2% (Q1 FY 2026-27), 100% tax-free, exclusively for girl child up to age 10. 21-year lock-in, 15-year deposits, EEE status.
Inputs
Q1 FY 2026-27 · Government-notified · Compounded yearly · 100% tax-free (EEE)
21-year journey
Deposits years 1–15 · earns interest till year 21
Why SSY is unbeatable for girl child
At 8.2% tax-free, SSY effectively delivers ~11.7% pre-tax for someone in the 30% slab. No equity-free product matches this. Plus full EEE: 80C deduction on deposits, tax-free interest, tax-free maturity.
Eligibility & rules
- • Account opened by parent/guardian of a girl child up to age 10
- • Maximum 2 accounts per family (3 if twins/triplets)
- • Min ₹250/year, max ₹1.5 lakh/year
- • Deposits allowed for 15 years from account opening
- • Account matures at 21 years from opening
- • Partial withdrawal (50%) allowed when girl turns 18 for higher education
- • Premature closure on marriage after 18
SSY vs PPF for girl child
Both are EEE. SSY pays 8.2% vs PPF's 7.1% — SSY wins on yield. PPF can be used for any purpose; SSY can only be used for the girl's education or marriage. If you have a girl child, max out SSY first, then PPF.
Where to open SSY?
- • Any public sector bank (SBI, PNB, etc.)
- • Major private banks (ICICI, HDFC, Axis)
- • Any India Post Office
Source: Q1 FY 2026-27 small savings rate notification, Ministry of Finance.