Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana or SSY is a government-backed savings scheme. It is also a part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana for the well-being of a girl child. The scheme encourages parents or guardians to open up to two such accounts for two girl children. These come with a tenure of 21 years or until the girl gets married after 18 years. 

In this article, we will cover how to open a Sukanya Samriddhi account. So, let’s begin!

Eligibility to open a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account

  • Age of girl child should not exceed 10 years
  • She should be a resident citizen of India
  • The account cannot be opened for more than two girl children in a single family. Provided in case of twins/triplets girls birth more than two accounts can be opened.
Documents required

  • ID proof
  • Address proof
  • Photographs of the girl child and parent/guardian together
  • Birth certificate
  • Aadhaar card is very useful for the same

Other than banks, one can open SSY account with the post office.

How to open an SSY account:
  • Parents or legal guardians of the girl child can open the account at any India Post Office or designated bank.
  • The guardian needs to fill up a Sukanya Samriddhi Account Form (SSA-1) available at the post office or designated bank.
  • The guardian is required to fill up details like the name of the child and guardian, address, birth certificate details of the child, KYC information of the guardian.
  • Once the documents will be verified, the account will be opened.
  • After all this, a passbook is issued to the account holder.

Tax benefits

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana investments are eligible for deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, up to a maximum of Rs.1,50,000. In addition, the interest earned, and the amount received at maturity of this scheme are tax-free.

Withdrawal

After a girl kid reaches the age of 18 or has completed the 10th grade, she may withdraw money from her account.
A withdrawal of up to 50% of the balance available at the end of preceding F.Y.
Withdrawals may be made in one lump sum or in annual installments of up to one per year for a maximum of five years, subject to the specified ceiling and real fee/other charge requirements, according to SSY rules.

An account may be closed before the account holder reaches the age of twenty-one years if the account holder applies for it and provides a declaration duly signed on non-judicial stamp paper attested by a notary, along with proof of age, confirming that the applicant will not be under the age of eighteen years on the date of marriage.

Provided, however, that no such closure is permitted before the account holder reaches the age of twenty-one years.