UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — From Savings to Strength: Empowering India’s Girls Through Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
Q1. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, though delivered through post offices and banks, is a small savings scheme notified by which one of the following authorities?
- A. Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance
- B. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
- C. Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications
- D. Ministry of Women and Child Development
Q2. With reference to the legal framework and operation of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account, consider the following statements:
1. The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019 was made under the Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873.
2. An account can be opened only at India Post offices and not at any commercial bank.
3. Authorised private-sector banks permitted to open SSY accounts include HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019 was made under the Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873.
- An account can be opened only at India Post offices and not at any commercial bank.
- Authorised private-sector banks permitted to open SSY accounts include HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. In the context of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign that gave rise to SSY, the 'Child Sex Ratio' reported in Census 2011 refers to which one of the following?
- A. The number of females per 1000 males in the total population
- B. The number of girls per 1000 boys in the 0–6 years age group
- C. The number of female births per 1000 male births in a year
- D. The number of women per 1000 men of reproductive age
Q4. The adverse child sex ratio (0–6 years) recorded in Census 2011, which prompted the launch of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and SSY, was how many girls per 1000 boys?
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the interest and tax treatment of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account:
1. The interest is compounded annually.
2. Deposits qualify for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
3. The interest earned is taxable in the year of accrual.
4. The scheme enjoys Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) tax status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The interest is compounded annually.
- Deposits qualify for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
- The interest earned is taxable in the year of accrual.
- The scheme enjoys Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) tax status.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 4 only
Q6. The rate of interest applicable to the Sukanya Samriddhi Account (currently 8.2%) is reviewed and notified in which manner?
- A. Annually by the Reserve Bank of India
- B. Quarterly by the Ministry of Finance
- C. Monthly by the Department of Posts
- D. Half-yearly by the Securities and Exchange Board of India
Q7. With reference to the deposit and maturity features of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account, consider the following statements:
1. Deposits can be made for 15 years from the date of account opening.
2. The account matures 21 years from the date of opening, or on the girl's marriage after she attains 18 years, whichever is earlier.
3. An account can be opened for a girl child up to the age of 12 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Deposits can be made for 15 years from the date of account opening.
- The account matures 21 years from the date of opening, or on the girl's marriage after she attains 18 years, whichever is earlier.
- An account can be opened for a girl child up to the age of 12 years.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. Which of the following are correctly stated features of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account?
1. The minimum annual deposit is ₹250.
2. The maximum annual deposit is ₹1.5 lakh.
3. A maximum of two accounts is generally permitted per family.
4. Partial withdrawal of up to 75% of the balance is allowed after the girl attains 18 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The minimum annual deposit is ₹250.
- The maximum annual deposit is ₹1.5 lakh.
- A maximum of two accounts is generally permitted per family.
- Partial withdrawal of up to 75% of the balance is allowed after the girl attains 18 years.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q9. As highlighted in the January 2026 backgrounder marking SSY's 11th anniversary, the scheme's nationwide delivery is anchored primarily on which single largest network?
- A. The Department of Posts (India Post) network
- B. Regional Rural Banks
- C. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
- D. Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies
Q10. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, whose December 2025 performance data was released around its 11th anniversary, was launched exclusively in which year?
- A. 2013
- B. 2014
- C. 2015
- D. 2016
Q11. Among the following National Small Savings instruments, which one currently carries the highest rate of interest?
- A. Public Provident Fund (PPF)
- B. National Savings Certificate (NSC)
- C. Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA)
- D. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
Q12. In the 2026 policy framing of women's economic advancement schemes that includes SSY, the Government has set a target to create how many 'Lakhpati Didis'?
- A. 2 crore
- B. 3 crore
- C. 6 crore
- D. 10 crore