Sukanya Samriddhi Account (for a girl)
Find out who can open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account for a girl, where and with which papers; how much to pay in each year; and when money can be drawn for her studies or the account closed.
About this guidePending verification
Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
For whom: Parents and guardians in Andhra Pradesh of girls who are not yet ten; and girls who already hold this account, with their families.
Answer the questions below first. Then the documents and steps open.
1Your situation
We show only what your answers need.
- Which of these are you?
- What do you need to do?
- How old will the girl be on the day the account is opened?
- How many girls in your family (husband, wife and their children) already have this account?
- Why is the account being closed?
Your answers stay on this phone.
Each step below says who it is for. Confirm yours at the office, then change your answer here.
This route does not apply to your situation
Only a guardian who is an Indian citizen living in India can open this account, and the girl must also be an Indian citizen living in India (Savings Promotion Rules 2018, rule 4; the Form-1 declaration). Non-resident Indians (NRIs), OCI cardholders and foreign nationals cannot open a new account. These rules count an Indian citizen who is not a 'resident' under the Income Tax Act as an NRI, even while he or she is in India (rule 3(1)(g)); a citizen who has recently come back from abroad should check his or her tax residence before opening the account.
→ There is no way to open a new account under this scheme for people living abroad, OCI cardholders or foreign nationals. For questions, ask at a post office.
Sources: 2, 1, 9
This route does not apply to your situation
A Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened only for a girl who is under 10 on the day it is opened (Scheme 2019, para 3).
→ A child of 10 or older may open and run an account in her own name under the post office savings schemes.
→ Post office savings account, and India Post Payments Bank account
Sources: 1, 2
This route does not apply to your situation
This account can be opened for at most two girls in a family. More are allowed only when twin or triplet girls are born at the first or second birth (Scheme 2019, para 3).
→ A guardian can open a post office savings account in the girl's name.
→ Post office savings account, and India Post Payments Bank account
Sources: 1, 2
2Documents you need
Tick the ones you have. They are kept in this browser.
Details
If you don't have it: Ask for it at the post office or bank branch.
Sources: 1
Details
One issued by the municipality, or by an office the Registrar of Births and Deaths has authorised; for a birth abroad, by the Indian Consulate.
If you don't have it: The municipality or births-and-deaths office that registered her birth.
Not confirmed: The scheme says the birth certificate goes with the application, but not whether a copy is enough. Take the original with you as well.
Sources: 1
Details
If Aadhaar has not been issued yet, proof that you applied to enrol; the number must then be given within six months of opening.
Sources: 1, 3
Details
Sources: 1, 3
Details
What the photo must look like- It must be recent.
- Form-1 has a box where the photograph is pasted.
Not confirmed: The rules say only "a recent passport size photograph"; they give no size, background colour or number of copies. Ask at the post office or bank.
Sources: 1, 2
Details
Sources: 1
Details
If you don't have it: Ask for it where the account is.
Sources: 1
Details
A letter from the educational institution confirming her admission, or its fee slip showing the amount needed.
Not confirmed: The scheme does not say whether a copy is enough; take the original with you as well.
Sources: 1
Details
If you don't have it: Ask for it where the account is.
Sources: 1
Details
Sources: 1
Details
Signed by the girl on non-judicial stamp paper and attested by a notary.
Sources: 1
Details
Showing that she will be at least 18 on the wedding day.
Sources: 1
Details
If you don't have it: Ask for it where the account is.
Sources: 1
Details
Issued by the competent authority.
Sources: 1
Details
For example, papers showing treatment for a life-threatening disease, or the guardian's death.
Not confirmed: The scheme does not list which papers are enough; ask where the account is.
Sources: 1
Nothing to get ready before these steps.
3Your steps
· Do them in order. Tick each one when it is done.
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
Choose where to open the account: a post office, or a bank branch that runs the scheme.
A girl can have only one account under this scheme.
Not confirmed
We did not find a current official list of the banks that run the scheme. Ask at your bank branch.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
Fill in Form-1 and hand it in with the papers.
One of the girl's guardians opens the account in her name. In the form you declare that she has no other account under this scheme anywhere, and that you and she are Indian citizens living in India. These rules count you as an NRI if you are not a 'resident' under the Income Tax Act, even if you are in India now (Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018, rule 3(1)(g)). If you have recently come back from abroad, check your tax residence before you open the account. The income-tax law counts you as resident for a tax year (1 April to 31 March) if you are in India for 182 days or more in that year, or for 60 days or more in that year and 365 days or more in the four years before it (Income-tax Act, 2025, section 6(2)). It has other conditions too, for citizens who left for a job abroad, citizens on a visit to India and some people with income above ₹15 lakh; if you are not sure, check the Income Tax Department's page on non-residents.
Not confirmed
The scheme says only "one of the guardians"; the General Rules' opening form asks for the guardian's name as "Natural/Legal". If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is opening it, ask first who may do so.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 10, 11
- Do this nowIf: Two or more; but twin or triplet girls were born at the first or second birth and this girl is one of them (this does not cover a girl of the second birth if the first birth left two or more surviving girls)
For a third account, also hand in the guardian's affidavit on the twin or triplet births, with their birth certificates.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
Pay in at least ₹250 when opening; anything more in multiples of ₹50.
Keep the passbook you are given safely.
Sources: 1, 2
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
In every financial year (April to March) pay in at least ₹250 and at most ₹1,50,000, at once or in parts.
You can pay in until 15 years from opening. Pay by cash, cheque or demand draft at the counter, or by electronic transfer; for a post office account, also through India Post net banking. Anything over ₹1,50,000 accepted by mistake earns no interest and is returned at once.
Sources: 1, 2, 4
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
If ₹250 is not paid in some year, the account is "in default".
At any time within 15 years from opening, you can set it right by paying ₹250 plus a ₹50 penalty for each missed year. If it is never set right in that time, all the money in it still earns the scheme's rate of interest until the account is closed.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
Interest is credited at the end of each financial year; check it in the passbook.
Each month's interest is worked out on the lowest balance between the close of the 5th and the end of the month. From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the rate is 8.2% a year. The Finance Ministry announces the rates for each quarter; this rate is for the quarter ending 31 December 2026, so check the figure after that.
Sources: 1, 4, 5
- Do this nowIf: Open a new account
The guardian runs the account until the girl turns 18.
After that she runs it herself, once she gives the papers asked for.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Indian citizen living abroad (NRI)If: Draw some money for the girl's studies / Close the account and take the money
If the guardian or the girl became a non-resident Indian (NRI) after the account was opened, tell the office where the account is.
The account carries on, with interest, until it matures; no interest is paid after maturity. Payments are made only on a non-repatriation basis (not to be sent abroad).
Sources: 2, 1
- Do this nowIf: Draw some money for the girl's studiesIf: Indian citizen living in India / Indian citizen living abroad (NRI)
To draw money for her studies, fill in Form-3 and hand it in where the account is, with the admission letter or fee slip.
It is allowed once the girl turns 18 or passes Class 10, whichever comes first.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Draw some money for the girl's studiesIf: Indian citizen living in India / Indian citizen living abroad (NRI)
You can draw up to half of the balance at the end of the previous financial year, but only what the fees and admission charges actually need.
Take it at once, or at most once a year for up to five years.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Foreign national with an OCI card / Foreign national without an OCI cardIf: Draw some money for the girl's studies / Close the account and take the money
If the guardian or the girl has stopped being an Indian citizen, the account is treated as closed with effect from the end of the month before citizenship ended.
From then until it is closed, interest is paid at the post office savings account rate. Apply with the passbook where the account is to take the balance.
Not confirmed
The rules do not say which form or proofs are needed in this case; ask where the account is.
Sources: 2, 9
- Do this nowIf: 21 years have passed since it was opened
Once 21 years have passed since opening, the account holder (the girl) fills in Form-4 and hands it in with the passbook.
The balance and interest are paid to her.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: The girl's marriage (she will be at least 18 on the wedding day)
From one month before the wedding until three months after it, the girl applies to close the account with Form-4, the passbook, the declaration and proof of age.
Closure for marriage is not allowed more than a month before the wedding or more than three months after it.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: The girl has died
If the girl has died, the guardian fills in Form-2 and hands it in with the death certificate.
The account is closed at once and the balance, with interest up to the date of death, is paid to the guardian. For the time between the death and the closure, interest is at the post office savings account rate.
Sources: 1
- Do this nowIf: Serious hardship, such as treatment for a life-threatening disease or the guardian's death
This is possible only once five years have passed since opening.
Apply with full papers proving the reason. If the account office agrees, it records its reasons in a written order and pays the balance with the scheme's interest.
Not confirmed
The scheme names no form for this application (Form-2 is for a death). Ask where the account is.
Sources: 1
If something goes wrong
If it is rejectedIf the post office refuses to open the account, pay money out or close it, ask for the reason.
If the post office refuses to open the account, pay money out or close it, ask for the reason. Then complain to India Post: on its website, at a nearby post office, or to the call centre on 1800 266 6868 (open 8 AM–8 PM; closed on gazetted holidays).
India Post complaints · Open the official page
Sources: 6
If it is lateFor delays, such as a deposit missing from the passbook or a payment held up, complain to India Post after the time set for that service has passed and within 60 days of the transaction.
For delays, such as a deposit missing from the passbook or a payment held up, complain to India Post after the time set for that service has passed and within 60 days of the transaction. If it is not settled in reasonable time, contact the Andhra Pradesh Circle Nodal Officer: pg.ap@indiapost.gov.in, 94910 03332. If still not settled, you can complain on the website of the Directorate of Public Grievances (DPG), Government of India.
India Post Andhra Pradesh Circle Nodal Officer · Open the official page
Sources: 6
AlsoIf the account is at a bank, complain to the bank first.
If the account is at a bank, complain to the bank first. If the bank does not resolve it, complain online to the RBI Ombudsman. You can go to the Ombudsman if the bank has not replied within 30 days or you are not satisfied with its reply; complain within 90 days after that. On 14448 they explain how to complain; a complaint cannot be made on the phone.
RBI Ombudsman (CMS) · Open the official page
Sources: 7, 8
AlsoIf the passbook is lost or stolen, apply where the account is and pay the fee for a duplicate passbook.
If the passbook is lost or stolen, apply where the account is and pay the fee for a duplicate passbook.
The post office or bank where the account is
Sources: 2
Official websites for this work
- India Post Savings schemes and complaints
- RBI Ombudsman Complain about a bank
Related guides
The 11 official pages and papers this guide is written from
- Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019 (G.S.R. 914(E), 12 December 2019), as published by India PostDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Paras 2(1)(d), (e), (f), (i); 3 (opening, one account per girl, two girls per family, the twins/triplets provisos); 4 (deposits, limit, 15 years, default and regularising, 4(5): interest on an account never regularised); 5(2) (interest worked out and credited); 6 (operation); 7 (closure on death, on compassionate grounds after five years); 8 (education withdrawal); 9 (maturity, marriage); Form-1 (photograph box, guardian's Aadhaar and PAN, declaration that guardian and girl are resident citizens and will report any change), Forms 2–4 (12-12-2019) · read on 30-10-2026
- Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018 (G.S.R. 1003(E), 5 October 2018), as published by India PostDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Rules 3(1)(g) (Non-resident Indian), 4(1), (3), (4) (resident citizens only; 4(1), first proviso: a guardian may open an account on behalf of a minor; 4(2): a minor of ten or older may open one; a depositor who becomes an NRI; one who ceases to be a citizen), 5(1)–(2) (in person or electronically; Form 1 with proof of the minor's age and a recent passport size photograph; Form 1, item 11: "Name of Guardian (Natural/Legal)"), 7(1) (ways to deposit), 9(4)–(5) (interest after becoming an NRI or ceasing to be a citizen), 18(3) (duplicate passbook), Schedule II (fees) (05-10-2018) · read on 30-10-2026
- Government Savings Promotion General (Amendment) Rules, 2023 (G.S.R. 238(E), 31 March 2023), circulated with SB Order No. 08/2023 of the Department of PostsDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Substituted rule 6(1): Aadhaar number (or proof of enrolment, number within six months); PAN or Form 60 (PAN within two months of the events listed) (31-03-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- India Post: Saving SchemesDepartment of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, "Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA)": rate of interest 8.2% per annum; "Net Banking" (deposit into SSA online); "ePassbook" (mini statement for SSA). Page last updated 30.10.2026 · read on 30-10-2026
- Office Memorandum F.No.1/4/2019-NS: revision of interest rates for Small Savings SchemesDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Para 1: rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 unchanged from 1 July to 30 September 2026 (30-09-2026) · read on 30-10-2026
- India Post: Guidelines for Registration of ComplaintsDepartment of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, Guidelines (online, at a post office, call centre 18002666868 from 8 AM to 8 PM except gazetted holidays, after the service norm and within 60 days, Circle Nodal Officer, DPG); Annexure B, row 1: Andhra Pradesh circle (pg.ap@indiapost.gov.in, 9491003332) · read on 30-10-2026
- RBI Complaint Management System: Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026Reserve Bank of India, Home page: filing a complaint; contact centre 14448 · read on 30-10-2026
- Frequently asked questions: Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026Reserve Bank of India, Questions 11 (the Contact Centre, 14448, guides on how to file a complaint; complaints cannot be filed through it) and 17 (first approach the bank; a complaint to the RBI Ombudsman if there is no reply within 30 days or the reply is not satisfactory, within 90 days after that) (01-07-2026) · read on 01-11-2026
- Notification S.O. 1050(E), 4 March 2021: rights of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3(ii), No. 962)Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Rights (1)–(4); right (5) (in all other economic, financial and educational fields not named, the same rights and privileges as a foreigner); Explanation (1) (an OCI cardholder is a foreign national holding a foreign passport and is not a citizen of India) (04-03-2021) · read on 30-10-2026
- The Income-tax Act, 2025 (No. 30 of 2025)Parliament of India; Gazette of India, Sections 3(1) (tax year) and 6(2) to 6(7) (residence of an individual) (21-08-2025) · read on 10-11-2026
- Non Resident FAQs (e-filing portal)Income Tax Department, Government of India, Questions 1 to 5, 7 and 10 (the conditions are those of section 6(1) of the 1961 Act; residence is assessed for each tax year) · read on 10-11-2026