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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Launched Sukanya Samridhi Yojna‘ (girl child prosperity scheme) with the vision to provide for Girl Child Education and Her Marriage Expense. Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme is a small deposit scheme for girl child, as part of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign, which would provide income tax deduction Under section 80C of the Income Tax Act,1961 and exemption of Interest from Income Tax.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account

In this article we have discussed Provisions of this Scheme alongwith tax and other benefits :-

Date of Commencement of Scheme- Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme is been notified by Ministry of Finance vide Notification No. G.S.R.863(E) Dated 02.12.2014. Shceme become operational by notification of rules namely ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2014’. These Rules were subsequently amended vide Notification No.G.S.R.323(E) dated-18.03.2016 by which government has notified ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2016’.  These Rules were  further  amended vide Notification No.G.S.R.617(E) dated-05.07.2018 by which government has notified Sukanya Samriddhi Account (Amendment) Rules, 2018. The Article Analyses these Rules for easy understanding of our readers.

Depositor– For this scheme Depositor is an individual who on behalf of a minor girl child of whom he or she is the guardian and deposits amount in account opened under this scheme. Under the revised rules definition of depositors also include Account Holder.

Who can be ‘Guardian’ under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme– In relation to a minor girl Child Guardian means

(i) either father or mother; and

(ii) where neither parent is alive or is incapable of acting, a person entitled under the law for the time being in force to have the care of the property of the minor.

(iii) Under the Revised Rules Guardian Includes Legal Guardian too, Which means Parents of adopted Child adopted are also Guardian under the revised rules.

One Girl One Account Depositor cannot open multiple or more than one account in the name of a Girl Child. Rules been changed to specify that more than once account cannot be opened for a Girl Child even if depositor are different.

Can be opened for Maximum two girls – Natural or legal guardian of a girl child allowed to open one account each for two girl children’s subject to below conditions.

Account opening for more than two girls – Under this scheme natural or legal guardian of the girl child shall be allowed to open more than two Accounts for girl children’s in a family if such children are born in the first and/or in the second order of birth, on production of a certificate to this effect from the competent medical authority regarding the birth of such multiple girl children in the first two orders of birth in a family. But account under the scheme not allowed to be opened for girl child born in second or successive birth if first order of birth itself in a particular family results in two or more surviving girl children.

Age Restriction for Opening of Account under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme- The account may be opened by the natural or legal guardian in the name of a girl child from the birth of the girl child till she attains the age of ten years and any girl child, who had attained the age of ten years, one year prior to the commencement of these rules shall also be eligible for opening of account under these rules. Scheme is been commenced from 02.12.2014.

Grace Period for Opening of Account under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme Account can be opened up to age of 10 years only from the date of birth. For initial operations of Scheme, one year grace has been given. With the grace, Girl child who is born between 2.12.2003 & 1.12.2004 can open account up to 1.12.2015.

Documents to Open the Account and how to open the account under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme- Birth certificate of a girl child in whose name the account is opened shall be submitted by the guardian at the time of opening of the account in post office or bank along with other documents relating to identity and residence proof of the depositor.

List of Banks Authorized to Open account under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

1. State Bank of India 2. Andhra Bank 3. Allahabad Bank 4. Bank of Baroda 5. Bank of India 6. Punjab & Sind Bank 7. Bank of Maharashtra 8. Canara Bank 9. Central Bank of India 10. Corporation Bank 11. Dena Bank 12. Indian Bank 13. Indian Overseas Bank 14. Punjab National Bank 15. Syndicate Bank 16. UCO Bank 17. Oriental Bank of Commerce 18. Union Bank of India 19. United Bank of India 20. Vijaya Bank 21. Axis Bank Ltd. 22. ICICI Bank Ltd. 23. IDBI Bank Ltd.

Document required for opening Sukanya Samriddhi account are:-

  • Birth documents of girl child (Birth certificate)
  • Address proof of the Guardian
  • Identity proof of the Guardian
  • 3 Photos of of the Guardians and 3 photos of the child
  • Pan card and Aaadhar card copies of of the Guardians

No Fixed Interest Rate- Under this scheme Interest rate is not fixed and Government will declare on yearly basis the Interest on accounts opened under these rules.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account Interest Rate Table with Minimum and Maximum Investment lImit

S. No. Financial Year Date Range Interest Rate Minimum Investment Maximum Investment
1 2014-15 01/04/2014 to 31/03/2015 9.1 % ₹ 1,000/- ₹ 1,50,000/-
2 2015-16 01/04/2015 to 31/03/2016 9.2 % ₹ 1,000/- ₹ 1,50,000/-
3 2016-17 01/04/2016 to 30/09/2016 8.6% ₹ 1,000/- ₹ 1,50,000/-
4 2016-17 01/10/2016 to 31/12/2016 8.5% ₹ 1,000/- ₹ 1,50,000/-
5 2016-17 01/01/2017 to 31/03/2017 8.4% ₹ 1,000/- ₹ 1,50,000/-
6 2017-18 01/04/2017 to 31/03/2018 8.1% ₹ 1000 ₹ 1,50,000/-
8 2018-19 01/04/2018 to 30/09/2018 8.1% ₹ 1000 (₹ 250 from 5th July 2018) ₹ 1,50,000/-

Interest After Maturity of account under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme– Earlier post maturity also if account holder do not close the account he was eligible for interest till final closure of the account but now No interest shall be payable once the Account completes twenty-one years from the date of its opening.

No Interest on Deposit made on or after 10th day of Month

The interest shall be calculated for the calendar month on the lowest balance in an Account on the deposits made between the close of the tenth day and the end of the month. So Account holder will not get any interest on amount deposited after 10th of the Month for the Month of Deposit.

Option of Monthly Interest

Revised scheme do not gives option of Monthly Interest.

Interest Compounding Monthly/ Yearly

Interest will be compounded yearly and will be credited to account till the account completes twenty one years from the date of opening. The interest shall be calculated for the calendar month on the lowest balance in an Account on the deposits made between the close of the tenth day and the end of the month.

Interest on Contribution in Excess of Rs. 1.50 Lakh Per Annum and withdrawal of excess payment

Deposit in excess of one lakh fifty thousand rupees in any financial year shall, if accepted due to any accounting error, not be eligible for any interest and such amount, which is deposited in excess of an annual ceiling of one lakh fifty thousand rupees, may be withdrawn anytime by the depositor.

Where one can open account?At any post office in India doing savings bank work and Branch of a commercial bank authorised by the Central Government to open an account under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme.

Maximum and Minimum Deposit- The account may be opened with an initial deposit of one thousand rupees [this has been amended to Rs 250 ] and thereafter any amount in multiple of one hundred rupees (this has been amended to Rs 250 wef 05.07.2018) may be deposited subject to the condition that a minimum of one thousand rupees (this has been amended to Rs 250 wef 05.07.2018) shall be deposited in a financial year but the total money deposited in an account on a single occasion or on multiple occasions shall not exceed one lakh fifty thousand rupees in a financial year. The amount has been amended from RS 1000 to Rs 250 wef 05.07.2018 via Notification no. G.S.R. 617(E) Dated 05.07.2018

Minimum – Rs, 2,50/- Per Year

Maximum- Rs. 1,50,000/- Per Year

Term Period – Deposits can be made till completion of Fifteen Years (Earlier it was fourteen years) from the date of opening of the account. The maturity of the account is 21 years from the date of opening of account. In other words No Deposit for the period from 16th to 21st Year of account.

Regularisation of irregular account and Penalty – Where minimum amount of Rs. 250/- a year has not been deposited than such irregular account may be regularised on payment of a penalty of fifty rupees per year along with the minimum subscription of Rs.250/- for the year (s) of default any time till the account completes fourteen years.

Interest on Account in Default

If in the case of any Account, the default is not regularised within fifteen years of the opening of the Account, then the whole deposit, including the deposits made prior to the date of default, shall be eligible only for interest rate prescribed for Post Office Savings Bank at the time of its maturity and any amount credited wrongly by way of interest into an Account under default shall be reverted to the Government account as soon as it comes to the notice of the Bank or the post office concerned. if the default occurred because of the death of the guardian of the Account holder who opened the account than account holder will get interest as applicable to Sukanya Samriddhi account.

Interest on Change in Status of Account holder to non-citizen or non-resident of India

In the event of change of status of the Account holder’s citizenship or residential status, no interest shall be deemed to accrue to the Account from the change of such status and the Account shall be deemed to be closed prematurely from that date. In case, any interest was credited to the Account after the change of resident status or citizenship of the Account holder, be reverted to the Government account by the post office or the Bank concerned, immediately on being informed of such change in the status of the Account holder.

Mode of Deposit – Deposit can be made in any of the following mode :-

1. cash

2. by cheque or demand draft drawn in favour of the postmaster of the post office concerned or the Manager of the Bank concerned where the Account is opened, with an endorsement on the back of such instrument made and signed by the depositor indicating the name of the Account holder and Account number in which the deposit is to be credited;

3.through electronic means (e-transfer) in the concerned post office or Bank if such post office or bank has access to the facility of CBS.

Date of Credit of Deposit Made

(a) where the deposit is made by cheque, the date of encashment of the cheque;

(b) where the deposit is made by demand draft, the date of submission of the same to the Bank or post office; and

(c) where the deposit is made by e-transfer, the date of deposit.

Who can Operation the account and can the girl child operate the account?

(1) The Account shall be operated by the guardian till the beneficiary Account holder attains the age of ten years or till the beneficiary Account holder attains the age of eighteen years.

(2) The Account shall be operated by the beneficiary Account holder after such Account holder attains the age of eighteen years: Provided that the Account may be operated by the beneficiary Account holder after such Account holder attains the age of ten years.

Premature closure of account –

Though the duration of the Sukanya Samriddhi account is 21 years from the date of the opening of the account but request for premature closure can be made after 5 years from the date of opening of account in following scenarios :-

1. Untimely death of the account holder– In the unfortunate event of death of the beneficiary account holder (girl child), the account shall be closed immediately on production of death certificate issued by the competent authority. In that case the balance at the credit of the account shall be paid along with the accrued interest till the date of death shall be paid to the guardian.

2. Account holder become a non-citizen or NRI- If, after the opening of an Account, the Account holder becomes a non-citizen or non-resident of India, intimation to this effect shall be given by the guardian or the Account holder to the post office or the Bank concerned, as the case may be, within a period of one month from the date of such status of the Account holder’s citizenship or resident status. No interest shall be deemed to accrue to the Account from the change of such status and the Account shall be deemed to be closed prematurely from that date and credit in the account will be returned to along with interest due, to the Account Holder.

3. Extreme compassionate grounds– Where the post office or the Bank concerned is satisfied, in cases of extreme compassionate grounds such as medical support in life-threatening diseases of the Account holder or death of the guardian, that the operation or continuation of the Account is causing undue hardship to the Account holder, it may, after complete documentation, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, allow premature closure of the Account.

4. For Other Reasons– Premature closure of an Account may be permitted, anytime after the opening of an Account, for any reason other than provided under this sub-rule, and in which case the whole deposit shall be eligible only for the interest rate prescribed for the Post Office Savings Bank.

Pass book

(1) On opening an Account, the guardian shall be given a pass book bearing the name, address and date of birth of the Account holder, date of opening of Account, Account number, name and address of the guardian, relationship with the Account holder and the amount deposited.

(2) A duplicate passbook may be subsequently issued in the event of loss, mutilation, etc., of the original passbook, on the written request of the guardian or the Account holder, on payment of a fee of fifty rupees and such fees shall be creditable to the Government account.

(3) The guardian or the Account holder shall have the option to maintain the Account records exclusively in electronic form, provided the post office or Bank concerned has access to the facility of CBS.

Transfer of account to other place –

(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 shall be effected electronically if the post office or the Bank concerned, has access to the facility of CBS.

Pre-Mature Withdrawal for Education

(1) Withdrawal of upto a maximum of fifty per cent of the balance in the Account at the end of the financial year preceding the year of application for withdrawal, shall be allowed for the purpose of higher education of the Account holder but such withdrawal shall not be allowed unless the Account holder attains the age of eighteen years or has passed tenth standard, whichever is earlier.

(2) The application for withdrawal shall be accompanied by a documentary proof in the form of a confirmed offer of admission of the Account holder in an educational institution or a fee-slip from such institution clarifying such financial requirement.

(3) The withdrawal may be made as one lump sum or in instalments, not exceeding one per year, for a maximum of five years, subject to the limit specified in point (1) above.

(4) withdrawal shall be restricted to the actual demand of fee and other charges required at the time of admission as shown in the offer of admission or the relevant fee-slip issued by the educational institution.

Closure on maturity or before maturity due to Marriage of Account Holder and Payment of Interest and Principal on Maturity

(1) The Account shall mature on completion of a period of twenty-one years from the date of its opening but final closure of 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. 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.

(2) On maturity, the balance including interest outstanding in the Account shall be payable to the Account holder, on an application by the Account holder for closure of the Account, and on furnishing documentary proof of her identity, residence and citizenship.

(3) No interest shall be payable once the Account completes twenty-one years from the date of its opening.

Tax Benefit – The amount deposited towards Sukanya Samriddhi Account is deductible under section 80C of Income tax Act,1961 upto Rs.1.5 lakhs as notified by Notification No. 09/2015 dated 21.01.2015. Amount deposited in this account will be counted in overall limit of Rs. 1.50 Lakh under section 80C. Interest earned in this scheme as well as maturity amount is exempt from Income Tax wef F.Y. 2014-15. Also Read- Interest on & withdrawal from Sukanya Samriddhi Account exempt from Tax

Comparison with PPF in respect of Tax Benefit- Investment in Both PPF & Sukanya Samriddhi Account is eligible for deduction under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Like PPF in Sukanya Samriddhi Account also Interest and Maturity amount is exempt from Tax.

Drawback of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme- 

1. High Lock in Period

2. Limitation on No. of Account

3. Scheme do not provide for online transfer of Amount in this account if account is opened with post office. It allows only payment by Cash, Cheque and Demand Draft. In respect of account with bank online transfer in this account is possible.

4. No Clarity on Future Interest Rate for this account.

Benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme-

1. Higher Interest Rate

2. Tax Benefit Under Section 80C

3. Payment on Maturity to Girl Child.

4. Flexibility in Deposits- Any Number of time amount can be deposits in Multiple of Rs. 250 subject to Maximum Limit of Rs. 1.50 Lakh per year.

5. Transferable Anywhere in India.

6. Even Girl Child can operate after she attains the Age of 10 Year.

Conclusion – It’s a good scheme started with a good motto by the Government with a long term vision.

Also Check – RBI Notification for Specimen of Sukanya Samriddhi Account Passbook and account opening Form

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

(Republished with Amendments)

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259 Comments

  1. Ankit Jain says:

    My question is that in sukanya samrudhi yojana if I invest rs 1000 in a year for

    14 year.

    After completion of 21 year how much I can get.

  2. Amit says:

    Hi,if account holders name(my daughter) changes at the time of maturity Means now she is 1yr and her name in birth cirtificate is “x” and same is continued in her sukanya account but in school admission we changes her name to “y” and now y is used everywhere. Then will there be any problem at time of maturity.

  3. ramesh says:

    Please let me know if i am having ppf a/c inthename of my minor daughter even if i can open sukanya ac inher name or not?

  4. umakant says:

    My question is that in sukanya samrudhi yojana if I invest rs 1000 in a year for

    14 year.

    After completion of 21 year how much I can get.

  5. PARTHA SARATHI SINGHA says:

    ”GOOD NEWS”, ”GOOD NEWS”, ”GOOD NEWS”. FRIENDS,I AM THE VERY FIRST LUCKY PERSON WHO ABLE TO OPEN THE ”SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI ACCOUNT” IN THE NAME OF MY TWIN DAUGHTERS ”PRIYASA AND TRIYASA” ON 3RD JUNE 2015 AT THE ”STATE BANK OF INDIA”,CHANCHAL BRANCH,IFSC-SBIN0002037,MALDA,WEST BENGAL.FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT ANY TIME. WITH LOVE AND CARE…PARTHA,MOBILE-09734191372. THANKS TO MR ANUP KR. ROY,THE BM, ANIL KR. AND THE WHOLE STAFFS OF CHANCHAL SBI AND ABOVE ALL TO MR. MODI THE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL AND EXCELLENT IDEA OF LAUNCHING ”SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA”.

  6. Lilu Ram says:

    Hi till now you can open this account only with Post Office near by you.

    Bank didn’t get any direction from GOVT.

    your daughter age below 10 year. locking period for this is 18 & 21 year.

  7. sarojini biswal says:

    My question is that in sukanya samrudhi yojana if I invest rs 1000 in a month for 14 year.
    After completion of 21 year how much I can get.

  8. Abhishek Kansal says:

    I have a daughter of 5 Years. I am planning to invest 1.5 lakh per year in this scheme. Please advice if monthly deposit is benificial or total amount one time yearly is benificial?

  9. Bindu Mahesh says:

    a good thinking by Modiji govt

    but,

    this a/c is not available in SBI yet.
    u have any info about when the sbi started to open the a/c

    banks are more flexible than pos.

    Regards

    Bindu MAhesh

  10. raj says:

    I went to open this account for my baby. Born in Malaysia. They said we can’t open it for NRI . is it true? The lady in post office responding to customers where harshly when they ask doubt’s. They are not willing to respond to customers but still they need accounts from public.

  11. raj says:

    Hi
    I went to open this account for my baby. Born in Malaysia. They said we can’t open it for NRI . is it true? The lady in post office responding to customers where harshly when they ask doubt’s. They are not willing to respond to customers but still they need accounts from public.

  12. AJAY says:

    meri gudiya 7 years ki hai main 1000 rs har mahina deposit karta hoon total 168000deposit toh mujhe kitna cash milega maturity pura hone par

  13. JATIN says:

    Can i invest in my PPF Rs 1,50,000 as well as in Sukanya Samridhi Scheme for my daughter Rs 1,50,000 in one financial year?
    I know that under 80C only 1,50,000 is the maximum benefit that can be claimed for tax benefit.
    Pl. clarify.

  14. Piyush Garg says:

    In this scheme if girl deny to withdraw the amount and if guardian need the amount.then there is option to withdraw the amount by the parents or stop the withdraw by girl.

  15. Prasanta Nanda says:

    Sir,

    Could you please suggest Can I show both PPF & sukanya in tax declaration.
    I have 100000 + in PPF account in a year & want 100000 deposit in Sukanya.
    Can I show both in Tax benefit.

    Prasanta Nanda

  16. PANKAJ says:

    ON THE SITE OF POST OFFICE ITS NOT MENTIONED FIX INTEREST WILL BE GIVEN TILL THE MATURITY OF POLICY WHY SO…HIDDEN DETAILS
    SECOND THING AS THE EVERYONE SAYS ITS FOR 14 YEARS ONE HAS TO PAY BUT ITS NOT
    MENTIONED ANYWHERE AFTER 14 YEARS TO PAY ITS NECESSARY OR NOT..
    CLEARED AMOUNT ALSO NOT THERE IF ONE 150000 PER ANNUM
    WHAT WILL BE MATURITY AMOUNT INTEREST CALCULATION IS IN BEGINING OR END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE

  17. JATIN NAGPAL says:

    Can i invest in my PPF Rs 1,50,000 as well as in Sukanya Samridhi Scheme for my daughter Rs 1,50,000 in one financial year?
    I know that under 80C only 1,50,000 is the maximum benefit that can be claimed for tax benefit.
    Pl. clarify.

  18. KRISHNA BARIKDAR says:

    Insurance products like Child Plan is far better than this trifling scheme. Only plus point is the 9.1 interest rate on all deposits. It is subordinate to insurance policies on these grounds-1. Protection of life is missing (no death benefit) 2. No bonus or loyalty additions available, 2. Loan against deposits is not entitled, 4. Weaver of premiums in case of desmice is unavailable. 5. Not more than 1.5 lakh in a year can be depoaited, 6. In case of bread-earner(guardian)’s death, no benefit is proposed. 7. No withdrawl is allowed before 18 years of age, after that age only 50% can be withdrawn ( one time only). Even Bank deposits are better option than this…

  19. lalit kumar says:

    hi, this is good step to save girls & their future. 14 years X 12 months X 1000 = 168000/- & maturity value will be after 21 years = 6 lakh as inquired. if withdrawn before 21 years then 50% can be withdrawn only. Can be deposit 1000 to 150000 per year & covered under 80C for tax benefit.

  20. Aashish says:

    Unlike PPF, which provides for computation of interest on monthly basis, Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme only states that the interest will be computed annually. Seems balance as on end of the year will be the base for computing the interest which may result in deposits being made at the fag end of the year

  21. Rouf Ahmed says:

    If i deposit Rs.1000/- yearly and after 14 years the amount becomes 14000/-.
    how much shall we receive ultimately by completing of 21 years? please advise.

  22. ben says:

    I have deposited amount in sukanya account via post office… Is der provision to track my current amount and any option do payment on-line ?

  23. akrishna says:

    sir,

    my daughter date of birth is 02-01-2006, is she eligible for this scheme?, if I deposit 60,000 per year how much maturity money we will get in this scheme, pl. let us know

  24. S. Mondal says:

    My question is

    If i need to withdrawn of money after 14 years what should I do. What is the procedure ? What is the condition ?

  25. Chandrakant Mishra says:

    The Sukanya Samriddhi Account has become more lucrative. The Government has announced the interest rate of 9.2% for the FY 2015-16.

  26. Nitin says:

    Dear All,

    Plz dont Get Confused…. this scheme clearly states that till the Age of Daughter gets 21 years it will get Matured… It means if any parents wants to start this scheme directly after birth of their Daughter then they will get benefits as mentioned on the chart means.. till the age of 14 Years from the Birth with payment of 1000 pm total premium deposited id Rs 168000 & after AGE OF 21 OF DAUGHTER PARENTS / DAUGHTER WILL GET 607000 RS THAT IS APPROX FIG….. If any parent whos daughter is of 4 years & if he wants to open an account then he is eligible to pay premium only for TEN Years “ok”… hop now its clear….. Regards, Ni3.

  27. Pandit Raj says:

    Hmm,
    21 years for account maturity or if the child turns 21 ??? Well here is a scenario that does not have clarity . The child is 10yrs old now. So the account will maturing when she is 31 ???????? I think they need to rethink this and set it to be 21 years of the CHILD rather then years.

  28. Gagan Deep Bhargav says:

    Hello,

    My questions:

    1) Can one person act as a guardian of more than 2 accounts?

    2) Can that person avil tax benefits from all SSY accounts?

  29. Shalabh says:

    Can i invest in my PPF Rs 1,50,000 as well as in Sukanya Samridhi Scheme for my daughter Rs 1,50,000 in one financial year?
    I know that under 80C only 1,50,000 is the maximum benefit that can be claimed for tax benefit.
    Pl. clarify.

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