Implemented by the government of India, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a scheme for helping parents save finances for education and marriage of girl children. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a savings scheme initiated from the birth of a girl child; under the scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi saving accounts in the name of girl children can be opened up at various post offices and selected banks. The scheme is considered as one of the high-end investments in terms of the fixed-income segment.

Savings accounts

Savings accounts can be opened up by depositing minimum Rs. 250 and maximum Rs. 1 lac for an entire financial year. Savings accounts remain in active status for 21 years from the date of account opening or until girls get married after a minimum of 18 years of age. For availing higher education expense coverage, only 50% withdrawal is allowed for marriage; this regulation has resulted in decreased rates of girl child marriage.

Eligibility

Under this scheme, only parents or guardians of a girl child can open saving accounts, but exclusively in the name of the girl child.

A girl child must be less than 10 years old while applying for the account.

There will be only one account per girl child; multiple accounts with one name are not allowed. Nevertheless, per family, only two Sukanya Samriddhi savings accounts are permitted.

Benefits associated with a fixed deposit cannot be availed.

Benefits

There are several benefits associated with Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana savings account. These benefits include premature closing of accounts, passbook facilities, account transfer services, and closure on maturity. As per the financial year of 2016–102017, the scheme provides the higher interest rates of 8.6%.