The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra modi on 22 January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. The accounts can be opened at any India Post office or a branch of some authorised commercial banks. Initially, the interest rate was set at 9.1% but later revised to 9.2% in late March 2015 for FY2015-16.Interest Rate have been revised for FY 2016-17 to 8.6%.
By mid-March 2015, within 2 months of launch, 1,80,000 accounts had been opened under the scheme. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh reported highest number of new accounts.The number of accounts opened up to October, 2015 under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana across the country is 76,19,668. The impact is that 76,19,668 girl children got ₹28.38 billion (US$420 million) deposited in their name.
The account can be opened anytime between the birth of a girl child and the time she attains 10 years age by the guardian. Only one account is allowed per child. Parents can open a maximum of two accounts for each of their children (exception allowed for twins and triplets). The account can be transferred to anywhere in India.
A minimum of ₹1,000 must be deposited in the account annually. The maximum deposit limit is ₹150,000. If the minimum deposit is not made in a year, a fine of ₹50 will be levied.
The girl can operate her account after she reaches the age of 10. The account allows 50% withdrawal at the age of 18 for higher education purposes. The account reaches maturity at the age of 21. If the account is not closed, then it will not earn interest at the prevailing rate.If the girl is over 18 and married, normal closure is allowed.
At the time of launch, only the deposits in the account were eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, which is ₹150,000 in 2015-16. However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced, during the 2015 Union Budget, tax exemption on the interest from the account and on withdrawal from the fund after maturity, making the tax benefits similar to that of the Public Provident Fund. These changes were applied retrospectively from 1 April 2015. These benefits will be reassessed annually.
The Account shall mature on completion of a period of twenty-one years from the date of its opening: Provided that the final closure of the Account may be permitted before completion of such period of twenty one years, if the account holder, on an application, makes a request for such premature closure for reasons of intended marriage of the Account holder and on furnishing of age proof confirming that the applicant will not be less than eighteen years of age on the date of marriage:
Provided that no such premature closure shall be made before one month preceding the date of the marriage or after three months from the date of such marriage.
On maturity, the balance including interest outstanding in the Account shall be payable to the Account holder, on an application by the Account holder for closure of the Account, and on furnishing documentary proof of her identity, residence and citizenship.
No interest shall be payable once the Account completes twenty-one years from the date of its opening.
The Account may be transferred anywhere in India and from or to post offices and from or to Banks and between post office and Bank, free of cost on furnishing of proof of shifting of residence of either the guardian or the Account holder and otherwise, on payment of a fees of one hundred rupees to the post office or the Bank to which the transfer is made.
The process of transfer of the account shall be effected electronically if the post office or the Bank concerned, has access to the facility of CBS.
