The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) has taken no new deposits since 31 March 2025, even though it is still listed in many roundups of post office schemes for women. Families who read such older guides may assume the certificate can still be opened at the nearest post office, but that is no longer the case.
Existing accounts will continue until they mature and the holders will receive the eligible balance at that time. However, no new account can be opened under the scheme.
MSSC was a one-time scheme, announced in Budget 2023 and notified on 31 March 2023 for women and girls, with accounts open from 1 April 2023. The PIB release of the Ministry of Finance from that date remains the main reference for its terms.
What MSSC offered
The certificate paid interest at 7.5% a year, compounded quarterly and the interest was credited to the account of the holder. Quarterly compounding means the interest earned in each quarter was added to the balance, so the next quarter's interest was calculated on a slightly higher amount.
- Minimum deposit: Rs 1,000, with deposits allowed in multiples of Rs 100
- Ceiling: Rs 2 lakh
- Tenure: two years from the date of opening the account
At the end of the two years, the eligible balance was paid to the holder. These terms are as given in the PIB notice issued at the time of the launch, and families holding older guides may still see same figures printed there.
What remains open
Among the post office schemes for women and their families, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is the main one still open to new accounts. It is meant for girl children, and the account is opened in the name of the girl by her parents or guardian.
The scheme carries an interest rate of 8.2% for the October to December 2026 quarter. Families who had been looking at MSSC are now reading about SSY in the same roundups.
The Finance Ministry reviews the rates of small savings schemes every quarter, so the rate for the January to March 2027 quarter may be different when the next review is announced.
