Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed small-savings scheme for a girl child, opened by a parent or guardian before the girl turns 10. You deposit for the first 15 years, but the account keeps earning compound interest until it matures 21 years from opening (or on the girl’s marriage after she turns 18). The current interest rate is 8.2% p.a., set by the government each quarter and compounded annually.
Depositing ₹50,000 every year at 8.2% means you contribute ₹7,50,000 over 15 years. With interest compounding right up to year 21, the account matures at about ₹23,94,040 — roughly ₹16,44,040 of interest. At the ₹1.5 lakh yearly maximum, the maturity is around ₹71.8 lakh. The chart shows deposits building up for 15 years and then the balance continuing to grow on interest alone for the last 6 years.
SSY has EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status: the yearly deposit qualifies for a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh under Section 80C, the interest earned is tax-free, and the maturity amount is tax-free too.