Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Yojana (महिला सम्मान बचत पत्र योजना) was a one-time small savings scheme announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2023 while presenting the Union Budget 2023-24. The central government launched it as the Post Office Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme for women and girls. Fresh deposits under this scheme closed on 31 March 2025, and the Union Budget 2026-27 did not extend or relaunch it. Read this article to know the full details of the scheme and what existing account holders can still do.
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate was a 2-year fixed deposit product open only to women and girls of any age. It offered a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum, compounded quarterly, on deposits up to Rs. 2 lakh. The scheme was designed to run for exactly two years, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025, and it closed for fresh deposits on that date as planned.
Scheme has been closed or it was a one time scheme which has been closed by the government.
What is Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Yojana
While presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said "For commemorating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a one-time new small savings scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, will be made available for a two-year period up to March 2025. This will offer deposit facility upto 2 lakh in the name of women or girls for a tenor of 2 years at fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent with partial withdrawal option".
Overview of Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Scheme
| Name of Scheme | Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme or Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Yojana |
| in Hindi | महिला सम्मान बचत पत्र योजना |
| Announced by | Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman |
| Date of Announcement | 1 February 2023 (while presenting Union Budget 2023-24) |
| Beneficiaries | Women or girls of any age |
| Duration of Scheme | 2 Years i.e upto 31 March 2025 |
| Deposit Amount | Min. Rs. 1,000, Max. Rs. 2 lakh |
| Maturity | 2 Years from date of opening of Mahila Samman yojana account |
| Implementation | Post Office and 15 public sector banks |
| Rate of Interest | 7.5% (interest rate is fixed, compounded quarterly) |
Is Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Yojana Still Active in 2026
No. Mahila Samman Savings Certificate closed for fresh deposits on 31 March 2025, as per the original 2-year sunset in the operational notification. The Union Budget 2026-27 did not extend or relaunch the scheme. India Post branches and the 15 authorised public sector banks do not accept new Mahila Samman applications from 1 April 2025 onwards. So no new account can be opened under this scheme in 2026.
Accounts opened before 31 March 2025 continue to earn 7.5% per annum, compounded quarterly, until their 2-year maturity date. All partial withdrawal and premature closure rules work as originally notified. Small savings quarterly rate revisions do not change the 7.5% rate locked at account opening.
How Existing Account Holders Can Check Balance or Claim Maturity
There is no dedicated online portal for Mahila Samman Savings Certificate transactions. Existing account holders must visit the India Post branch or public sector bank branch where the account was opened, with the passbook and Aadhaar card, to check balance, submit a maturity claim, or process a premature closure.
STEP 1 - Visit the India Post branch or bank branch where the Mahila Samman account was opened, ideally within 30 days before or after the maturity date.
STEP 2 - Carry the Mahila Samman passbook, Aadhaar card, PAN card, and a cancelled cheque of the savings account where the maturity amount should be credited.
STEP 3 - The branch officer generates the maturity closure form. The maturity payout is credited to the linked savings account within 3 to 5 working days.
If the maturity claim is submitted after the maturity date, interest between the maturity date and claim date is paid at the Post Office Savings Account rate (currently 4% per annum), not the 7.5% Mahila Samman rate. So do not delay the claim.
Documents Required for Existing Mahila Samman Account Holders
For checking the account, submitting a maturity claim, or processing a premature closure, existing account holders need the following documents:
- Aadhaar card and PAN card for identity proof
- Mahila Samman account passbook and India Post receipt or bank branch account slip
- Cancelled cheque of the savings account for the maturity credit
- Active mobile number linked to the account
What to Open Instead in 2026
Since Mahila Samman Savings Certificate is closed for fresh deposits, women looking for a similar guaranteed-return small savings product have other active options. For a girl child under 10, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana at 8.2% is the strongest choice. For a woman aged 18 to 59, Public Provident Fund at 7.1% or a Post Office Savings Account time deposit is the closest alternative. For a woman aged 60 and above, the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme at 8.2% is a better option than Mahila Samman ever offered.
Rest information can be checked in the Budget Speech 2023-24 at https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/