Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules 2026

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is one of India’s most trusted savings schemes for a girl child. While many parents know about deposits and interest, understanding the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules is equally important. These rules decide when, how, and how much money you can withdraw for your daughter’s education or marriage.

What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed small savings scheme to help parents build a corpus for their daughter's higher education and marriage. The scheme has a 21-year tenure and high SSY interest rate of 8.2% p.a. for Jan–March 2026 quarter. The scheme is meant for long-term goals where the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana withdrawal rules are tightly regulated. Only specific events like higher education, marriage, maturity, death, or severe hardship allow partial or full withdrawal.

What are Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules?

The table below summarises when and how money can be taken out of this investment plan:

Event / Stage

When Allowed

What You Can Withdraw

Key Conditions

Partial withdrawal – higher education

After girl turns 18 or passes Class 10, whichever first

Up to 50% of balance at end of previous FY

Only for education; proof of admission needed

Partial withdrawal – education or marriage

Practically allowed after 18 with same 50% cap

Up to 50% of balance

Education/marriage only, in lump sum or instalments

Maturity withdrawal

21 years from date of account opening

100% balance + interest

Account closes; no interest after 21 years

Premature closure – marriage

After girl turns 18, 1 month before to 3 months after marriage

100% balance + interest

Affidavit that girl is 18+; marriage proof

Premature closure – death of girl

Any time

100% balance + interest

Death certificate required

Premature closure – extreme hardship

After 5 years generally (practical norms)

Balance + interest or reduced rate (as per rules)

Life-threatening disease/hardship; authority approval

Closure due to NRI status

From date girl becomes NRI

Balance; interest stops from NRI date

Account deemed closed; no further interest

Partial Withdrawal for Higher Education

Partial withdrawal is the most used option for the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and is designed mainly for the higher education of the girl child.

Eligibility and Limit

The girl must have either:
- Completed Class 10, or
- Turned 18 years of age;
  whichever happens earlier.
Maximum withdrawal allowed is 50% of the balance standing at the end of the preceding financial year.
The amount must be used only for higher education (college/university/recognised institute) fees and related charges.

Mode of Withdrawal

The SSY partial withdrawals can be taken as:
- One lump sum, or
- In up to 5 yearly instalments.

Documents Required

Application in prescribed Form (Form-4 for Post Office SSY/bank SSY account).
SSY passbook.
Proof of age of the girl (e.g., birth certificate).
Admission letter/document from the educational institution.
Fee structure/fee estimate issued by the institution.

Full Withdrawal on Maturity (21 Years)

Once the Sukanya Samriddhi Account completes its full term, the complete amount can be withdrawn, and the account is officially closed.

When Does an SSY Account Mature?

An SSY account becomes mature 21 years from the date it is opened, no matter how old the girl child is at that time.
You are required to deposit money only for the first 15 years. After this period, the account remains active and continues to earn interest for the remaining years until it completes 21 years, even if no further deposits are made.

What Happens at Maturity?

After maturity:

The full amount, including the total deposits and earned interest, is paid to the girl child, provided she is 18 years or older.
The account is closed once the withdrawal is completed and the required closure documents are submitted.
No interest is added after 21 years, so it is better to withdraw the amount on time instead of leaving it unused.

Documents Required for Maturity Withdrawal

SSY closure application form.
SSY passbook.
Proof of age and identity of the girl.
Proof of residence/citizenship if demanded.

Premature Closure on Marriage (After Age 18)

If the girl gets married after turning 18, the account can be closed before turning 21.

Marriage-Linked Closure Rules

Girl must have completed 18 years; SSY cannot be continued once she marries.
Closure request window:
- Up to 1 month before the date of marriage, or
- Up to 3 months after the marriage.
On closure, 100% of the balance with interest is payable.

Documents and Compliance

Written application for premature closure.
SSY passbook.
Age proof to prove that the girl is at least 18.
Proof of marriage (e.g., marriage registration or card) and an affidavit declaring she is not a minor.

Premature Closure: Death, Hardship, and NRI Status

Premature closure is allowed only in very specific, documented situations.

Death of the Girl Child

If the girl (account holder) dies before maturity:
- The account is closed.
- Entire balance plus interest is paid to the guardian/nominee after submission of the death certificate.

Extreme Compassionate Grounds / Hardship

Premature closure may be allowed if:
- The girl suffers from life-threatening diseases; or
- Continuation of the account causes undue hardship to the depositor (e.g., severe financial crisis, guardian’s death).
Such closure requires:
- Detailed application, supporting medical / hardship documents.
- Approval by the competent authority with reasons recorded in writing.

In practice, some guidance mentions that such premature closure is normally considered after 5 years of account opening, though the core rule is “extreme compassionate grounds”.

Change to NRI Status

SSY is strictly for resident Indian girl children.
If the girl becomes an NRI:
- The account is treated as closed from the date she becomes an NRI.
- It stops earning interest from that date.

How to Apply for Withdrawal or Closure

The operational process is similar whether you withdraw partially for education or close the account.

Visit the post office or bank where the SSY account is held.

Fill the designated SSY withdrawal/closure form (commonly Form-4 for withdrawal).

Attach relevant documents:

For education: admission letter with fee structure.
For marriage: age proof, marriage proof, affidavit.
For death: death certificate.
For hardship: medical reports, income proofs, and a request letter.

Submit the SSY passbook for verification.

Choose payout mode – credit to bank account/cheque.

The institution processes and disburses the amount after verification.

Practical Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Always plan education withdrawals based on the balance as of 31 March, since the 50% cap is calculated on that figure.

Do not expect any interest after 21 years from opening; schedule maturity withdrawal soon after that date.

Use SSY strictly for education and marriage; do not rely on it for routine cash needs, as rules are very restrictive.

Keep the girl’s residency status in mind; if she becomes NRI, your SSY will stop earning interest and be treated as closed.

Preserve all key documents (birth certificate, admission letters, fee receipts, marriage certificate) from the start to avoid last-minute hassles.

If you share a specific scenario (age of girl, year of opening, current balance, and goal, such as education or marriage), a custom withdrawal and timing plan can be mapped out around these rules.

Conclusion

Understanding the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules helps you get the best value from this scheme. The strict withdrawal rules protect your savings so the money is available when your daughter needs it most, such as for higher education or marriage. Although the 21-year period feels long, it helps build a strong, tax-free fund. With interest rates around 8.2% in 2026, regular savings and disciplined withdrawals can create a solid financial base for your daughter’s future.

FAQs

What documents are required under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules?

The SSY withdrawal rules require documents such as the SSY passbook, withdrawal form, identity proof, and purpose-related proofs, including admission or marriage documents.

When can full money be taken under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules?

Under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules, the full amount can be withdrawn at maturity, 21 years from account opening, or earlier in specific cases, such as marriage after 18 years, death, or approved hardship.

How much can be withdrawn before maturity as per the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules?

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules permit only up to 50% of the previous year-end balance to be withdrawn before maturity, primarily for educational or marriage-related needs.

Are withdrawals tax-free under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Withdrawal Rules in 2026?

Yes, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana withdrawal rules provide that eligible withdrawals and maturity proceeds remain entirely tax-free in 2026, as the scheme enjoys EEE status.