Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026: Special Rule Could Help Families Build Over ₹2 Crore for Three Daughters

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 2026: Parents looking to secure their daughters' financial future can benefit from a lesser-known provision under the government's Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. While the savings scheme generally permits accounts for a maximum of two daughters in a family, certain exceptions allow parents or legal guardians to open accounts for three eligible girls.

This special provision can be particularly beneficial for families with twins or triplets. By investing the maximum permitted amount in each eligible account, parents could potentially accumulate a combined maturity corpus exceeding ₹2 crore over the long term.

According to an illustrative calculation based on an annual interest rate of 8.2%, investing ₹1.5 lakh every financial year in each of three eligible Sukanya Samriddhi accounts could generate a combined maturity value of approximately ₹2.15 crore.

However, this projection assumes that the interest rate remains unchanged throughout the calculation period. Actual maturity values will depend on future government-notified rates and deposit timing.

Here is a detailed explanation of the special eligibility rule, investment limits, maturity calculations and tax benefits available under the scheme.

What Is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed small savings scheme designed to encourage long-term financial planning for girl children.

The scheme was introduced as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative and aims to help parents accumulate funds for their daughters' education and future financial needs.

An SSY account can be opened by a parent or legal guardian in the name of an eligible girl child, generally before she reaches the age of ten.

The account can be maintained through authorised banks and post offices.

One of the scheme's major features is its long investment horizon, which allows deposits to accumulate interest over several years.

Under the standard rules, deposits can be made for 15 years from the account opening date, while the account ordinarily matures after 21 years.

Special SSY Rule: When Can Parents Open Three Accounts?

Ordinarily, a family can open Sukanya Samriddhi accounts for up to two eligible daughters, with one account permitted in each girl's name.

However, the scheme includes an exception for certain multiple births.

If twin or triplet girls are born during the first or second childbirth, the family may qualify for additional accounts under the prescribed conditions.

For example, if a couple has one daughter from their first childbirth and twin daughters from their second childbirth, they may be eligible to open three SSY accounts.

Similarly, if triplet daughters are born during the first childbirth, the guardian may be permitted to open accounts for all three girls.

The additional-account provision is not a general entitlement for every family with three daughters. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of birth and the documentary requirements specified under the scheme.

Parents may need to provide appropriate birth certificates and an affidavit supporting the multiple-birth claim.

According to Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar.com, many families are familiar with the usual two-child limit but may not know about this exception.

How Much Can Parents Invest in Each Sukanya Samriddhi Account?

The scheme allows a minimum annual deposit of ₹250 and a maximum deposit of ₹1.5 lakh per financial year in each account.

The investment amount can be deposited in instalments or as a lump sum, subject to the applicable rules.

For a family legally maintaining three SSY accounts, the combined maximum annual investment could therefore reach ₹4.5 lakh.

Here is how the investment would work:

The maturity values are illustrative, based on the supplied calculation at a constant 8.2% annual rate. Actual returns depend on the timing of deposits and future interest rate revisions.

SSY Calculator: How Can One Account Grow to ₹71.8 Lakh?

Suppose parents open a Sukanya Samriddhi account shortly after their daughter's birth and deposit ₹1.5 lakh every financial year for 15 years.

The total contribution over the deposit period would be ₹22.5 lakh.

The account continues earning interest under the applicable scheme rules until its maturity, even after the deposit period ends.

According to the illustrative calculation cited in the supplied report, the investment could grow to approximately ₹71.81 lakh over 21 years at an assumed annual interest rate of 8.2%.

This means the estimated interest component would be approximately ₹49.31 lakh, while the principal contribution would remain ₹22.5 lakh.

The long accumulation period is an important reason behind the potential growth.

However, Sukanya Samriddhi interest rates are government-notified and may be revised periodically. Therefore, a fixed 8.2% assumption should not be interpreted as a guaranteed return for the entire 21-year period.

Three SSY Accounts Could Generate More Than ₹2 Crore

The potential financial benefit becomes larger when a family is eligible to maintain three accounts.

If the parents invest ₹1.5 lakh annually in each account for 15 years, the combined principal contribution would amount to ₹67.5 lakh.

Assuming each account reaches approximately ₹71.81 lakh at maturity, the combined corpus would be around ₹2.15 crore.

The estimated total interest earned across all three accounts would exceed ₹1.47 crore under this illustration.

This calculation demonstrates how long-term saving and compounding can help families build substantial funds for their daughters.

Nevertheless, each SSY account belongs to the individual girl child in whose name it was opened. The combined ₹2.15 crore figure represents the sum of three separate maturity values, not a single account balance or an unrestricted family investment pool.

Why Is the 15-Year Deposit Rule Important?

One of the distinctive features of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is that contributions are required for only the first 15 years from account opening.

The account ordinarily matures after 21 years.

This means parents do not have to continue depositing money throughout the entire maturity period.

For example, if an account is opened when a daughter is one year old, deposits may continue for 15 years, while the account can remain invested until its scheduled maturity.

Interest continues to accrue according to the scheme's applicable rules during the remaining period.

This structure can be useful for parents who want to complete their major contributions while their children are younger.

Tax Benefits Available Under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Tax treatment is another important feature of the scheme.

Eligible contributions may qualify for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, subject to the overall statutory limit and the taxpayer's applicable tax regime.

Interest earned in the account is generally exempt from income tax, and the maturity proceeds are also tax-exempt under the applicable provisions.

However, opening three accounts does not mean that a parent automatically receives three separate Section 80C deduction limits.

The tax deduction limit applies according to the taxpayer's overall eligibility and applicable income tax rules.

Investors should also remember that Section 80C deductions are generally associated with the old income tax regime rather than the default new regime.

Can Money Be Withdrawn Before the Account Matures?

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is primarily designed for long-term savings, but the scheme provides certain withdrawal facilities.

Under the prescribed conditions, partial withdrawals may be permitted for the account holder's education.

The scheme generally allows withdrawal of up to 50% of the eligible balance, subject to age, educational requirements and other applicable conditions.

Premature closure may also be permitted in specified circumstances under the scheme rules.

Parents should check the latest withdrawal and closure provisions with the authorised bank or post office before making financial plans that depend on early access to the funds.

Is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Suitable for Long-Term Savings?

The scheme may appeal to parents seeking a government-backed savings product specifically designed for their daughters.

Its major advantages include long-term compounding, government-notified interest rates and favourable tax treatment.

However, it also has limitations.

The maximum annual contribution is restricted, the investment period is long, and withdrawals are subject to specific rules.

Parents should therefore consider maintaining separate savings for emergencies, healthcare and other expenses that may arise before the SSY account matures.

Combining SSY with other suitable financial instruments may help families address different financial goals and liquidity requirements.

Final Takeaway

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers a special provision allowing additional accounts for eligible families with twin or triplet daughters.

While most families are limited to two SSY accounts, those meeting the multiple-birth exception may be able to open three accounts.

At an illustrative annual interest rate of 8.2%, investing the maximum ₹1.5 lakh annually in each account for 15 years could produce a combined maturity corpus of approximately ₹2.15 crore over the respective 21-year account periods.

The important point is that the third-account provision applies only to qualifying families, and the projected ₹2 crore-plus corpus is not guaranteed.

Parents should confirm their eligibility, required documentation, current interest rates and account rules through an authorised bank or post office before investing.

Disclaimer: The maturity calculations are illustrative and assume an unchanged 8.2% annual interest rate. Government-notified SSY interest rates may change, affecting actual returns. Tax benefits and account eligibility are subject to applicable rules.