Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a national savings scheme for the girl child, run through post offices and banks across India, including in Andhra Pradesh. This Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana guide explains who can open an account, how much you can deposit, how the account matures, and how to open one at your nearest post office — with the documents you need and the rules to keep in mind.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Key Facts
| What it is | National savings scheme for the girl child, via post offices and banks |
| Who can open | Parent or guardian for a girl child below age 10 |
| Accounts per girl | One account per girl child |
| Deposits | From ₹250 up to ₹1.5 lakh per year |
| Maturity | 21 years from opening |
| Interest rate | Set by the Government of India, revised quarterly — check the current rate at the post office |
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: What It Is
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme launched for the benefit of the girl child. The account is opened in the name of the girl, the parent or guardian deposits money into it, and the balance grows with the interest the Government of India declares for the scheme. A Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account is meant to build a fund for the girl’s education and marriage, and it is one of the most popular savings options for parents of young daughters.
The scheme is available at post offices and at authorised banks, so families in Andhra Pradesh can open an account at the post office nearest to them. The account is a government-backed savings account, and the deposits and the interest are governed by the scheme’s rules, which the post office will explain when you open the account.
Who Can Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account
The account is opened by the parent or the legal guardian for a girl child who is below the age of 10. One account is allowed per girl child, so a family with two daughters can open two accounts — one for each girl. The account is opened in the girl’s name, and the parent or guardian operates it until the girl turns 18, after which she can operate it herself.
The age limit matters: the account must be opened before the girl turns 10. If your daughter is approaching 10, do not delay, because the account cannot be opened after that age. The girl’s age is proved with her birth certificate in AP, which the post office will ask for.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Deposits & Maturity
Deposits can be made from ₹250 up to ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year, in any number of instalments. The minimum deposit of ₹250 a year keeps the account active. Deposits can be made for 15 years from the date of opening, and the account matures 21 years after it is opened. The maturity amount, with interest, is paid to the girl.
The interest rate is set by the Government of India and is revised every quarter. Do not rely on a rate quoted in an old article or a message forwarded on social media — the current rate is displayed at the post office and on the National Savings Institute small savings pages. Ask the post office for the current rate when you open the account, and check it again when you make large deposits.
How to Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account in AP
Visit the nearest post office or an authorised bank branch with the documents listed below. Fill in the account opening form with the girl’s details and the parent or guardian’s details, submit the documents, and make the first deposit. The post office issues a passbook for the account, which records the deposits and the interest.
Deposits can be made at the post office in cash or by cheque, and many post offices also accept online transfers to the account. Keep the passbook updated — it is the record of the account, and it is needed for withdrawals and at maturity. For other certificates you may need as proof, see our guide to MeeSeva services in AP.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Withdrawal & Closure Rules
Partial withdrawal is allowed for the girl’s higher education once she turns 18, up to a portion of the balance as per the scheme rules. The account can be closed before maturity in specific circumstances, such as the marriage of the girl after she turns 18, on application with the required proof. The full balance is paid at maturity, 21 years after the account was opened.
If the minimum deposit of ₹250 is not made in a financial year, the account is treated as discontinued and can be revived by paying the arrears with a penalty as per the rules. To avoid this, set a small recurring deposit — even the minimum keeps the account active and the interest compounding.
Documents You Need
The usual documents are: the girl child’s birth certificate; the parent or guardian’s identity proof such as Aadhaar card; the parent or guardian’s address proof; and a recent photograph of the girl and the parent or guardian. If the girl’s name has more than one spelling across documents, use the birth certificate as the basis and keep the spelling consistent.
Carry originals along with photocopies to the post office. The post office will verify the originals and return them. If you are opening the account at a bank rather than a post office, the same documents apply, and the bank will confirm its own form.
Common Problems and What to Do
The most common problem is a missed deposit year, which discontinues the account. Revive it by paying the arrears for the missed years with the penalty the post office charges, as per the scheme rules. Do not open a second account for the same girl to get around this — only one account per girl is allowed, and a second account will be detected.
Another common problem is a wrong date of birth on the account, which affects the maturity date. Get it corrected at the post office with the birth certificate as soon as you notice it. For other schemes for girls and women, our guides to PMMVY maternity benefit and Balika Raksha explain the support available, and the income certificate in AP is often asked for with welfare applications.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana — Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can open a Sukanya Samriddhi account?
A parent or legal guardian can open the account for a girl child below the age of 10, with one account per girl child.
2. How much can I deposit in a Sukanya Samriddhi account?
From ₹250 up to ₹1.5 lakh per financial year, in any number of instalments. Deposits are made for 15 years from opening.
3. When does the account mature?
The account matures 21 years after it is opened, and the full balance with interest is paid to the girl.
4. What is the interest rate on Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?
The rate is set by the Government of India and revised quarterly. Check the current rate at the post office or on the official small savings pages — do not rely on old figures.
5. Can I withdraw money before maturity?
Partial withdrawal is allowed for the girl’s higher education after she turns 18, and the account can be closed in specific circumstances such as her marriage after 18, as per the scheme rules.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a simple, long-term way to build a fund for your daughter — open the account before she turns 10 at your nearest post office, deposit regularly, and let the balance grow until maturity. Keep the passbook safe and the deposits regular, and the account will be there when she needs it for her education.
Last updated: November 2026