Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme Won't Give ₹69 Lakh: Expert Busts Myth, Warns Parents About Real Returns

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), a widely popular government savings scheme for girl children in India, has come under scrutiny by financial expert Gaurav Moondhra. He warns that the projected maturity amounts—like ₹69 lakh—are misleading unless one factors in inflation.

📉 Inflation Eats Into Returns

Moondhra, a financial planner based in Guwahati, shared on LinkedIn that while the SSY and NPS Vatsalya plans appear attractive on paper, their real value diminishes significantly over time. According to him, even if you invest ₹1.5 lakh annually for 15 years in SSY and receive ₹69 lakh after 21 years, inflation-adjusted value would only be around ₹17–18 lakh.

Similarly, in the case of the NPS Vatsalya Scheme, which claims to offer ₹1.4 crore, the real value (assuming 6% inflation over 21 years) drops to just ₹8.4 lakh in today's terms.

❗ "Don’t Chase Big Numbers. Focus on Real Value."

Moondhra's core message is this: don’t fall for big maturity figures. Instead, focus on the real purchasing power of that amount. He says:

“Sukanya Samriddhi won’t give your daughter ₹69 lakh in real terms. After adjusting for inflation, it's closer to ₹17 lakh.”

He raises a critical question for all parents:

“Will ₹8 lakh or ₹17 lakh be enough for your child’s education or wedding after 21 years?”

💡 What’s the Alternative?

Moondhra recommends considering mutual funds designed for children. Assuming a 12% annual return, an investor could accumulate ₹1.4 crore before tax, and around ₹1.2 crore after tax, which in today’s value would equal ₹34 lakh—double the real value of SSY returns.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Traditional schemes like SSY and NPS Vatsalya are safe but inflation-sensitive.

• ₹69 lakh in 21 years ≠ ₹69 lakh today — it could be just ₹17–18 lakh in real value.

• Inflation reduces the purchasing power of future returns.

• Consider mutual funds with better long-term real returns, especially for children’s education and marriage.

• Always assess the real, inflation-adjusted value, not just the projected numbers.

🔍 Expert Advice

“Don't plan with attractive figures. Plan with realistic value,” Moondhra says.
“Inflation is the silent killer of long-term savings. Choose instruments that protect your purchasing power.”

Bottom Line: While Sukanya Samriddhi and similar schemes offer security, they might not be enough for your child's future financial needs. Consider diversified investment options like mutual funds to ensure inflation-proof returns.