The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) does not automatically close when a girl child marries. According to reports from Mint, the scheme permits premature closure if the account holder gets married after attaining the age of 18 years. The account generally remains active until its normal maturity, but the scheme allows for premature closure in certain circumstances. Under SSY, the account matures on the earlier of the girl's 21st birthday or the date of her marriage after she has turned 18. If the girl marries after turning 18, the rules permit premature closure of the SSY account to meet marriage expenses. This requires following the prescribed process and submitting the necessary documentation, such as a marriage certificate, to the bank or post office where the account is held. The entire corpus, along with the accrued interest up to the withdrawal date, is payable subject to the scheme's terms.
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana currently offers an interest rate of 8.2% per annum for Q2 FY 2026-27 (July-September 2026). As reported by Mint, the scheme provides EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status, making it one of the most tax-efficient investment options in India. Deposits qualify for Section 80C deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh annually, while both interest earnings and maturity proceeds remain completely tax-free. The EEE status ensures that deposits, interest, and maturity are all exempt from taxation.
An SSY account can be opened for a girl child below 10 years of age by her own parents or a legal guardian. According to Mint, the scheme offers an interest rate of 8.2% per annum with rates reviewed and notified by the government periodically. Minimum annual deposits are ₹250 while maximum deposits are ₹1.5 lakh. Deposits are mandatorily required for 15 years from the date of account opening, and the account naturally matures 21 years from opening. The scheme allows only 2 accounts per family (one per girl child), with an additional account permitted if the second birth is twins or triplets. For the exact steps and documentation required to opt for premature closure, check with the post office or the bank handling the SSY account. For precise guidance, consult the official SSY scheme rules or speak with the financial institution managing the account.
According to Mint, partial withdrawal of up to 50% of the previous year-end balance is permitted once the girl turns 18 years old or completes Class 10, for higher education or marriage expenses. The prescribed documents including proof of age and the prescribed declaration on a non-judicial stamp paper must be submitted in the prescribed format. Full premature closure is allowed on the girl's marriage after 18 years, and on compassionate grounds such as death of the holder or medical emergency, after 5 years from opening. For complete details, investors can refer to the official website of India Post. At maturity, the accumulated corpus plus interest is paid out.
As reported by Mint, it is prudent to seek professional guidance from a certified financial advisor when planning investments in SSY or any other scheme. When planning closure and withdrawal of investments in the SSY scheme, it is critical to clearly understand the applicable rules and regulations. To check updated details, interest rates, and other important aspects of the SSY scheme, investors can visit the official website of India Post at https://www.indiapost.gov.in/. The scheme's 1.1% higher rate compounds into a meaningful gap over 21 years, making it usually the stronger choice for dedicated girl-child savings, while a PPF account remains the flexible all-purpose option.
