Sukanya Samriddhi Account

Last updated

Sukanya Samriddhi Account
CountryIndia
Launched22 January 2015;9 years ago (2015-01-22)
StatusActive

Sukanya Samriddhi Account (Girl Child Prosperity Account) is a Government of India backed saving scheme targeted at the parents of girl children. The scheme encourages parents to build a fund for the future education of their female child. [1] [2]

Contents

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015 as a part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. The scheme currently provides an interest rate of 8.2% [3] (For Jan -Mar 2024 quarter) and tax benefits. The account can be opened at any India Post office or branch of authorized commercial banks.

The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2016 was rescinded on 12 December 2019 and the new Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019 was introduced. [4]

Summary

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. [5] [6] The accounts can be opened at any India Post office or a branch of some authorized commercial banks. [7] Initially, the interest rate was set at 9.1% but later revised to 9.2% in late March 2015 for FY2015-16. [7] [8]

The latest interest rate for Sukanya Samriddhi Account revised from January 1, 2024 is 8.2%. [9]

The account can be opened anytime between the birth of a girl child and the time she attains 10 years age by the parent/guardian. Only one account is allowed per child. Parents can open a maximum of two accounts for each of their children (exception allowed for twins and triplets). The account can be transferred to anywhere in India. [10]

A minimum of ₹ 250 must be deposited in the account initially. Thereafter, any amount in multiples of Rs 100 can be deposited. However, the maximum deposit limit is ₹ 150,000. If the minimum deposit of ₹ 250, (initially which was 1000) is not made in a year, a fine of ₹ 50 will be put on. [10]

The girl can operate her account after she reaches the age of 10. The account allows 50% withdrawal at the age of 18 for higher education purposes. The account reaches maturity after time period of 21 years from date of opening it. Deposits in the account can be made till the completion of 15 years, from the date of the opening of the account. After this period the account will earn only applicable rate of interest. If the account is closed, then it will not earn interest at the prevailing rate. [10] If the girl is over 18 and married, normal closure is allowed. [11] [12]

No of subscribers [13]

YearNo of AccountsDeposit Amount(cr)
20154,20,420123
201669,98,8706,773
20171,00,84,15217,156
20181,24,28,91031,958
20191,55,34,41750,224
20201,92,49,62472,880
20212,32,67,9681,01,258
20222,93,74,7651,39,296
Dec 20223,25,12,0951,62,154

List of states with highest number of accounts as on 31 December 2022

StatesNo of accounts
Uttar Pradesh36,07,698
Tamil Nadu31,38,182
Maharashtra28,75,136
Madhya Pradesh25,27,795
Karnataka24,48,215

Interest rates revisions

Serial NumberFinancial YearDate RangeInterest RateMinimum InvestmentMaximum Investment
12014–151 April 2014 to 31 March 20159.1%1,0001,50,000
22015–161 April 2015 to 31 March 20169.2%1,0001,50,000
32016–171 April 2016 to 30 Sep 20168.6%1,0001,50,000
42016–171 Oct 2016 to 31 Mar 20178.5%1,0001,50,000
52017–181 April 2017 to 30 June 20178.4%1,0001,50,000
62017–181 July 2017 to 31 December 20178.3%1,0001,50,000
72017–181 January 2018 to 31 March 20188.1%1,0001,50,000
82018–191 April 2018 to 30 September 20188.1%2501,50,000
92018–191 October 2018 to 31 March 20198.5%2501,50,000
102019–201 April 2019 to 30 June 20198.5%2501,50,000
112019–201 July 2019 to 31 March 2020 [14] 8.4%2501,50,000
122020–211 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 [15] 7.6%2501,50,000
132021–221 April 2021 to 31 March 20227.6%2501,50,000
142022–231 April 2022 to 31 March 20237.6%2501,50,000
152023–241 April 2023 to 31 December 20238.0%2501,50,000
162023–241 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 [16] 8.2%2501,50,000
172024–251 April 2024 to 31 December 2024 [17] 8.2%2501,50,000

Tax benefits

At the time of launch, only the deposits in the account were eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, which is ₹ 150,000 in 2015-16. However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced, during the 2015 Union Budget, tax exemption on the interest from the account and on withdrawal from the fund after maturity, making the tax benefits similar to that of the Public Provident Fund. These changes were applied retrospectively from 1 April 2015. These benefits will be reassessed annually. [1] [10] [18]

Eligibility

For the child (account holder)

For the parents-

Reception

By mid-March 2015, within 2 months of launch, 1,80,000 accounts had been opened under the scheme. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh reported highest number of new accounts. [7] The number of accounts opened up to October, 2015 under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana across the country is 76,19,668. The impact is that 76,19,668 girl children got ₹28.38 billion (US$340 million) deposited in their name. [20]

Maturity

Provided that the final closure in the Account may be permitted before completion of such period of twenty one years, if the account holder, on an application, makes a request for such premature closure for reasons of intended marriage of the Account holder and on furnishing of age proof confirming that the applicant will not be less than eighteen years of age on the date of marriage:

Provided that no such premature closure shall be made before one month preceding the date of the marriage or after three months from the date of such marriage.

Partial Withdrawal

To satisfy the financial needs that the account holder must meet to pursue higher studies, the withdrawal of 50% of the balance to the account’s balance at the close of the previous financial year is permitted.

But, withdrawals can be allowed only after the account holder is age 18 or is in the 10th standard or earlier.

It is not only an application in writing and documentary proof in the form of a valid admissions offer from an educational institution or an demand from the institution confirming that the financial requirements are necessary.

The withdrawal amount is limited to the actual amount of fees and other charges required to be paid at the time of entry, as stated in the offer of admission or on the appropriate fee slip that the institution/college issues.

The withdrawal may be made as a lump sum or in instalments of not more than once per year, maximum five years, subject to a maximum amount confirmed by the institution/college of education.

Early Withdrawal

In the event of the account owner’s death, your account is closed as soon as the authority in charge presents the death certificate.

The balance on your account will be paid together with interest due until the date of death in the guardian’s name.

If the registered girl child dies, parents or legal guardians may be entitled to the amount remaining on the account and accrued interest.

The money will be transferred to the person who is the nominee for the account right away. Additionally, parents or legal guardianship representatives must provide the valid documents confirming your account holder’s death, signed by the authorities concerned.

The interest rate for the period between the dates of death and the closing date of the account will be the interest rate that applies to savings accounts at the post office for balances in the Sukanya Samriddhi Account. [22]

Transfer of account

(1) The Account may be transferred anywhere in India and from or to post offices and from or to Banks and between post office and Bank, free of cost on furnishing of proof of shifting of residence of either the guardian or the Account holder and otherwise, on payment of a fees of one hundred rupees to the post office or the Bank to which the transfer is made.

(2) The process of transfer of the account shall be effected electronically if the post office or the Bank concerned, has access to the facility of CBS. [23]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Small savings: Girl, uninterrupted". The Financial Express (India) . 30 March 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Dhawan, Sunil (17 January 2019). "Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana? All you need to know". The Economic Times . Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  3. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Post Office Scheme, Interest Rate, Age Limit, Excel Calculator, Eligibility, Benefits And Details In 2024". weinvestsmart.com. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019" . Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "PM to unveil Sukanya Samriddhi accounts to incentivise girl child". The Indian Express . 22 January 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "Modi launches 'Sukanya Samridhi Yojana' in Haryana". Business Standard . 22 January 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "1.8 lakh A/Cs opened under Sukanya scheme in 2 mths of launch". The Financial Express (India) . Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi to earn at 9.2% interest, PPF 8.7% for FY16". 31 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Post Office Scheme, Interest Rate, Age Limit, Excel Calculator, Eligibility, Benefits And Details In 2024". weinvestsmart.com. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Sukanya Samriddhi Account to Earn 9.2% Interest: 10 Facts". NDTV . 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  11. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts". India Post. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Sukanya Samridhi Yojana Calulator" . Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  13. ↑ https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2022/jan/doc20221207101.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  14. ↑ "PPF NSC SSY and Other Small Savings Scheme Interest Rates for Q4 2019 -20". Income Tax Diary. Sujit Talukder. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  15. ↑ Kumar, Sandeep (1 April 2021). "Folks investing in PPF or Sukanya Samriddhi scheme need not worry⁠ — the rate cuts have been rolled back". Business Insider.
  16. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Post Office Scheme, Interest Rate, Age Limit, Excel Calculator, Eligibility, Benefits And Details In 2024". weinvestsmart.com. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Small Savings Schemes Interest Rates for Oct-Dec 2024 Remain Unchanged". investpolicy.in. 30 September 2024.
  18. ↑ "e Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2014" (PDF). Reserve Bank of India . Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana".
  20. ↑ "Accounts opened up to 31.10.2015 under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSA) across the country is 76, 19,668".
  21. ↑ FAQs About Sukanya Samridhi Yojana Scheme
  22. ↑ Sukanya Samridhi Yojana
  23. ↑ "Sukanya Samriddhi Account". Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
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