The Mahila Samman saving scheme (Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, MSSC) is closed to new deposits: the government did not extend it beyond its original window, so post offices no longer open new accounts. Certificates already bought continue to earn 7.5% and are paid out on their two year maturity date.
If you hold one, this page explains maturity and withdrawal. If you were hoping to open one, it lists the closest alternatives at the post office.
At a glance
Status
Closed to new depositsRate (existing)
7.5%, compounded quarterlyTerm
2 yearsMaximum
₹2 lakh per account holderPartial withdrawal
Up to 40% after 1 year
Mahila Samman saving scheme post office status
MSSC was announced as a one time scheme for women and girls with a fixed window to invest. When that window ended, the Ministry of Finance confirmed it would not be extended, and new investments stopped. Post offices and banks that ran it can no longer accept deposits, though they still service existing accounts. Any website still offering a Mahila Samman application form is out of date.
How the scheme worked
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who could invest | Women, or a guardian on behalf of a girl |
| Deposit | ₹1,000 minimum, ₹2 lakh maximum |
| Rate | 7.5% a year, compounded quarterly |
| Term | 2 years |
| Partial withdrawal | Up to 40% of the balance after 1 year |
| Tax | No deduction; interest taxable |
₹2 lakh at 7.5%, compounded quarterly for two years, matured at about ₹2,32,044.
For existing holders: maturity and closure
- On maturity, submit the closure form with your passbook; the money goes to your savings account or comes by cheque.
- Premature closure was allowed after six months for any reason at a lower rate, and at any time in cases like the holder's death or serious illness.
- No interest is paid at MSSC rates after maturity, so collect it promptly.
Why MSSC was popular while it lasted
For a two year deposit, 7.5% beat what banks and the post office paid on similar terms, and the partial withdrawal after a year made it flexible. It also encouraged many women to open their first account in their own name. Those reasons still matter: a woman can get much of the same benefit today from a 2 year TD, with the advantage of no ₹2 lakh cap.
The difference in money on ₹2 lakh is small: MSSC returned about ₹32,044 over two years, while a 2 year TD at 7.0% pays about ₹14,372 a year, ₹28,744 over two years.
Mahila Samman saving scheme calculator, for old certificates
Maturity = deposit × (1 + 7.5% ÷ 4) to the power 8. For ₹1 lakh, that is about ₹1,16,022; for ₹50,000, about ₹58,011. Since no new deposits are possible, a calculator is useful only for checking an existing certificate.
Alternatives to MSSC for women
| Need | Use instead | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Short term, about 2 years | 2 year time deposit | 7.0% |
| Monthly income | MIS | 7.4% |
| 5 year growth, tax saving | NSC | 7.7% |
| Girl under 10 | Sukanya Samriddhi | 8.2% |
The 2 year TD is the nearest match in term. More on post office schemes for women.
Mahila Samman saving scheme post office questions
Searches like post office Mahila Samman scheme, MSSC post office scheme, Mahila scheme in post office, post office mahila scheme and Mahila Samman saving certificate scheme all lead to the same answer today: the scheme is closed to new money. If a post office counter or a bank branch says otherwise, ask them to show the current notice before you invest.
Will Mahila Samman come back
Only the government can say. Schemes like this are announced in the budget. If it returns, rules and rates may differ. Until then, treat any offer to open an MSSC as a red flag.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mahila Samman saving scheme still available?
No. It is closed to new deposits. Existing certificates run to maturity.
What was the Mahila Samman interest rate?
7.5% a year, compounded quarterly, for two years.
What should women use instead of MSSC?
A 2 year TD for a similar term, MIS for monthly income, or NSC and PPF for longer goals.
Can I extend my Mahila Samman certificate?
No. It matures after two years and must be closed.
Was Mahila Samman interest taxable?
Yes. There was no deduction and the interest was taxable.
Can a girl's guardian still open MSSC?
No. New accounts of every kind, including those for minors, stopped when the scheme closed.