Best Investments For Girl Child in India (2024)

Last Updated on Nov 18, 2024 by Anjali Chourasiya

Ensuring a secure future for a daughter is what every parent prioritises. In order to do that, one must start with building the corpus that contributes to the future of a daughter. In India, there are various child investment plans that you can explore as a parent. To ensure you invest in the best investment for a girl child in India, we have collated the list of 10 best saving schemes for a girl child.

List of Best Investments for Girl Child

Here are 11 investments you can explore when looking for the best gift for girl child.

1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings scheme aimed at promoting the welfare of the girl child. It encourages parents to save for their daughter’s education and marriage.

• Account Opening: Parents or legal guardians can open an SSY account anytime after the birth of a girl child until she turns 10 years old. This scheme allows for secure and systematic savings.
• Interest Rate: The current interest rate is 8% per annum, which is compounded annually. This rate is reviewed quarterly by the government and may change based on economic conditions.
• Account Limitations: Only one account can be opened in the name of each girl child, with a maximum of two accounts allowed per family (one for each daughter).
• Investment Limits: The minimum deposit required to maintain the account is Rs. 250, while the maximum annual contribution is capped at Rs. 1,50,000. Contributions can be made in multiples of Rs. 100.
• Maturity and Withdrawals: The account matures when the girl reaches the age of 21. Partial withdrawals are permitted after she turns 18, allowing access to funds for higher education or marriage.
• Tax Benefits: The SSY scheme qualifies for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making it an attractive option for tax planning. The maturity amount and interest earned are also tax-free, adhering to the EEE (Exempt, Exempt, Exempt) principle.

SSY scheme is considered the best investment for girl child by many experts. Now, let’s look at some post office scheme for girl child.

2. Post Office Term Deposit (POTD)

The Post Office Term Deposit is a reliable savings instrument offered by India Post, suitable for conservative investors looking for fixed returns. This post office saving scheme allows you to open an account in post offices across the country. The features are:

• Features: POTD accounts can be opened at any post office across India, providing accessibility to rural and urban investors alike.
• Interest Rates: As of now, interest rates range from 6.90% to 7.50%, depending on the tenure chosen (1 year to 5 years). Interest is paid quarterly.
• Tenure Options: Investors can choose from various tenures—1 year, 2 years, 3 years, or 5 years—allowing flexibility based on individual financial goals.
• Transferability: One significant advantage is that these accounts can be transferred from one post office to another anywhere in India without losing interest benefits.
• Tax Implications: While interest earned is taxable as per the investor’s income tax slab, deposits with a tenure of 5 years qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C.

3. Post Office Recurring Deposit (PORD)

The Post Office Recurring Deposit scheme is designed to encourage disciplined saving through monthly contributions.

• Investment Details: You can start with a minimum monthly deposit of just Rs. 100, making it accessible for all income levels.
• Interest Rate: The current interest rate stands at approximately 6.7% p.a., compounded quarterly, which ensures that your savings grow steadily over time.
• Tenure: The standard tenure for PORD is 5 years, but it can be extended after maturity if desired.
• Withdrawal Policy: Premature withdrawals are not allowed before the completion of the tenure; however, loans against the deposit can be availed after six months.
• Government Backing: Being a government-backed scheme, it offers safety and security for investors looking to save systematically without risks associated with market fluctuations.

4. National Savings Certificate (NSC)

The National Savings Certificate is a fixed-income investment scheme backed by the Government of India, ideal for risk-averse investors. It is also considered as one of the top central government schemes for single girl child

• Tenure and Maturity: NSCs have a fixed tenure of 5 years, during which your investment earns guaranteed returns.
• Interest Rate: Currently, NSCs offer an interest rate of 7.7% p.a., compounded annually but payable at maturity.
• Investment Limits: The minimum investment is set at Rs. 1,000, with no upper limit on how much you can invest.
• Tax Benefits: Investments in NSC qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum. However, interest earned is taxable in the year it accrues.
• Transferability and Safety: NSCs are transferable from one person to another but cannot be encashed before maturity without incurring penalties.
• Risk Aversion: Given that the NSC is government-backed, it provides complete capital protection, making it ideal for conservative investors who prioritise safety over higher-risk investments.

It is worthwhile to research thoroughly about the terms and conditions of the NSC when looking for the best saving plan for girl child.

5. Public Provident Fund (PPF)

The Public Provident Fund is a long-term savings scheme that encourages individuals to save while offering attractive interest rates and tax benefits. It is also one of the top government schemes (girl child). PPF is a savings option that also helps in tax saving and retirement planning.

• Account Features: A PPF account can be opened at designated banks and post offices across India. It has a lock-in period of 15 years, which can be extended in blocks of five years indefinitely.
• Interest Rate: The current interest rate is around 7.1% p.a., compounded annually, which provides good returns over time.
• Investment Limits: You can invest a minimum of Rs. 500 and up to a maximum of Rs. 1,50,000 per financial year in your PPF account.
• Withdrawal Rules: Partial withdrawals are allowed after the completion of six financial years from the date of opening the account, providing some liquidity while still encouraging long-term saving.
• Tax Benefits: Contributions qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C, and both interest earned and maturity proceeds are tax-free under the EEE principle.

6. Children Gift Mutual Fund

Children’s Gift Mutual Funds are specially designed investment options that help build wealth over time for children.

• Investment Strategy: These funds typically invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments to provide balanced growth while managing risk effectively.
• Lock-in Period: Investments in these funds usually have a lock-in period until the child turns 18, ensuring that funds are available for significant life events like education or marriage.
• Growth Potential: By investing in equity markets over long periods, these funds aim to generate substantial capital appreciation compared to traditional saving methods.
• Flexibility in Investment Amounts: Parents can choose how much they want to invest based on their financial situation and goals.\

It is worthwhile to thoroughly research mutual funds before investing. To find out the best plan for girl child, you can use Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener.

7. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)

A Systematic Investment Plan allows investors to contribute regularly to mutual funds through small investments over time.

• Investment Amounts: SIPs enable you to start investing with as little as Rs. 100 per month, making it accessible for all income levels.
• Advantages of SIPs:
  • They promote disciplined investing by allowing you to invest fixed amounts regularly.
  • SIPs benefit from rupee cost averaging; you buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.
  • Over time, this can lead to better returns compared to lump-sum investments due to compounding effects.

8. Gold ETFs

Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) provide a modern way to invest in gold without dealing with physical gold’s storage issues.

• How They Work: Each unit of a Gold ETF represents one gram of gold held by the fund. They trade on stock exchanges like shares, providing liquidity and flexibility.
• Advantages Over Physical Gold:
  • No concerns about theft or storage costs associated with physical gold jewellery or coins.
  • Investors can buy or sell units at market prices during trading hours like any other stock or mutual fund.
  • Gold ETFs provide diversification in an investment portfolio without high entry costs.

9. Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP)

ULIPs combine life insurance coverage with investment opportunities in various financial instruments like equities or bonds. 

• Structure of ULIPs:
  • A portion of your premium goes towards life insurance coverage while the remainder is invested according to your risk appetite—equity funds for higher growth potential or debt funds for stability.
  • They offer flexibility in choosing investment options based on market performance and individual financial goals.

10. Fixed Deposits (FD)

Fixed Deposits remain one of the most popular investment options due to their simplicity and guaranteed returns.

• Interest Rates & Terms: Current interest rates range from approximately 6.90% to 8% p.a., depending on the bank or institution, with terms varying from a few months up to ten years.
• Investors can choose how they want their interest paid—monthly, quarterly, annually, or at maturity—offering flexibility based on cash flow needs.

11. Child Plans

A child plan is a combination of insurance and investment designed to secure a child’s future. Such plans, often offered by providers like LIC, provide a lump sum payout on maturity or in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Key Features:

1. Insurance Coverage: Provides financial protection for the child’s future in case of the policyholder’s untimely death.
2. Flexible Payouts: Offers milestone-based payouts for education, marriage, or other goals.
3. Customisable Plans: Options for premium payment terms and sum assured.

For example, many parents consider the best LIC policy for girl child to secure funds for higher education or marriage. These policies also come with tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Child Plan vs Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and PPF

Planning for a child’s future involves comparing investment options to identify the best saving plan for a girl child. The table below highlights the key differences between a Child Plan, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), and Public Provident Fund (PPF):

Both Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and PPF offer guaranteed returns, making them ideal for risk-averse investors, while child plans provide insurance coverage along with investment benefits. However, it is always worthwhile to consult a financial advisor before selecting a plan to ensure it aligns with your financial goals.

Conclusion

Note that all the above investments, except for the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, are also available for a boy child. Investing in a combination of these products can help minimise risk and maximise returns. You should research well before investing in financial products like mutual funds, equities, ETFs, etc., at Tickertape as it can help you make a well-informed investment decision. For more information on the best investment plans, refer to our blog on how to invest in different asset classes.

FAQs About Girl Child Investment Options

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Harshit Singh

Content Strategist at Tickertape

Hey there, I’m Harshit Singh Mahey! With eight years of experience as a Content Strategist, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a Fortune 100 company and building three successful startups from the ground up.

As an investment fanatic, I’ve dabbled in early-stage startups, mutual funds, gold, stocks, smallcases, and real estate to identify which assets generate the highest ROI. At Tickertape, I’m dedicated to presenting my learning and providing insightful suggestions to help my readers make sound investment decision.

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