PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme

The PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme lets eligible girl students earn Punjab National Bank's regular FD interest on a government-funded Rs.3,000 deposit held until age 18. The deposit is withdrawable only after the girl turns 18 and passes Class 10. PNB's current FD rates for this scheme range from 3.00% to 6.60% p.a. 

PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme
PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme

PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Interest Rates

Interest rates offered for opening PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme as per various tenures are given below:

Tenure 

Rates For Public (p.a.) 

7 to 14 Days 

3.00% 

15 to 45 Days 

3.00% 

46 to 90 Days 

4.50% 

91 to 154 Days 

4.90% 

155 Days 

5.55% 

156 to 179 Days 

4.90% 

180 to 270 Days 

5.60% 

271 to 302 Days 

5.60% 

303 Days 

5.55% 

304 Days to Less than One Year 

5.60% 

One Year 

6.25% 

More than one Year to 389 days 

6.30% 

390 Days 

6.30% 

391 to 443 Days 

6.30% 

444 Days 

6.60% 

445 to 665 Days 

6.30% 

666 Days 

6.50% 

667 Days to 2 Years 

6.30% 

More than two years to 3 years 

6.30% 

More than three years to 1203 days 

6.35% 

1204 days 

6.30% 

1205 days to 5 years 

6.35% 

More than 5 years to 10 years 

6.00% 

Note: The interest rates are effective from 1 June 2026. 

Eligibility

The Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme can be opened by girls who pass the Class 8 exam from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. Those who enroll for Class 9 in schools run by state or Union territory government, government aided schools or local body schools from the session of 2008-09 are also eligible. The age of the girls should be below 16 years as on 31st March while enrolling for Class 9.

Girls enrolled in schools run by the central government, and girls in private unaided schools, are excluded from the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme. Separately, all SC/ST girls who pass Class 8 and enrol in Class 9 at a state or Union territory government, government-aided or local body school are also eligible, whether or not they qualify under the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya route. 

Fixed Deposit Amount

As per the government, a deposit of Rs.3,000 is allowed in the name of the eligible applicant.

Features of PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme

Some of the features of the term deposit scheme are listed below:

  • No initial deposit amount is needed to be made for opening a savings account.
  • The deposit tenure is counted from the date of deposit till the girl attains the age of 18 years.
  • The girl is eligible to withdraw the matured amount on completing 18 years of age.
  • Auto renewal facility available for a period of 30 days.
  • No loan or advance is allowed against the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit. 

Withdrawal Process

In order to withdraw the matured amount, the girl must fulfill the pre-condition of passing the Class 10 exam successfully. The girl must submit proof of:

  • Attaining 18 years of age.
  • Class 10 pass certificate
  • Letter from the principal or head of the school stating that she continued her education for at least 2 years following enrollment to Class 9.

Summary 

The PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme helps eligible girl students save for their education through a government-funded Rs.3,000 deposit held in their name until they turn 18. It needs no initial deposit, charges no fee, and earns interest at Punjab National Bank's standard FD rate for the tenure held. Eligible applicants can check the current rates in the table above and start the process through their school's enrolment records. 

FAQs on PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme

1.What is the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme?

The PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit Scheme is a government-backed fixed deposit that Punjab National Bank opens for eligible girl students to support their secondary education. A one-time deposit is made in the girl's name and held until she turns 18. The scheme earns interest at PNB's standard fixed deposit rates for the relevant tenure. 

2.Who is eligible for the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme?

The PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme is open to girls who pass Class 8 from a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, or who enrol in Class 9 at a government, government-aided or local body school. She must be below 16 years of age as on 31st March of the year she joins Class 9. 

3.Can girls enrolled in central government or private schools apply for the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme?

No, the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme excludes girls enrolled in schools run by the central government as well as girls in private unaided schools. Only girls in state or Union territory government, government-aided or local body schools qualify. 

4.Can girls from reserved categories avail the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme?

Yes, girls belonging to reserved categories, including SC/ST students, can avail the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme on the same terms as other eligible applicants. 

5.How much is deposited under the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme?

A fixed deposit of Rs.3,000 is made in the name of each eligible girl under the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme. No initial deposit is required to open the linked savings account. The amount is held until she completes 18 years of age. 

6.How is the tenure of the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit calculated?

The tenure of the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit runs from the date the deposit is made until the girl turns 18 years old. This means the exact holding period differs for each beneficiary depending on her age at enrolment. 

7.Does the PNB Balika Shiksha FD renew automatically on maturity?

Yes, the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme carries an auto-renewal facility for 30 days if withdrawal instructions from the implementing agency are not received by the maturity date. This gives time for the required documentation to be completed before the funds are disbursed. 

8.When can the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit be withdrawn?

The PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit can be withdrawn once the girl beneficiary turns 18 years old and has passed her Class 10 examination. She must also submit proof of continuing her education for at least two years after enrolling in Class 9. 

9.What documents are needed to withdraw the PNB Balika Shiksha FD?

Withdrawing the PNB Balika Shiksha FD requires proof of age, a Class 10 pass certificate, and a letter from the school principal confirming at least two years of continued study after Class 9 enrolment. All three documents must be submitted together to the bank. 

10.Is premature withdrawal allowed under the PNB Balika Shiksha FD scheme?

No, premature withdrawal is not allowed under the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme. The deposit can only be withdrawn once the eligibility conditions on age and education are met. 

11.Can a loan be availed against the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit?

No, Punjab National Bank does not permit a loan or advance against the PNB Balika Shiksha Fixed Deposit. The deposit remains locked until the girl beneficiary meets the withdrawal conditions. 

12.What happens to the PNB Balika Shiksha FD if the girl beneficiary dies before turning 18?

If the girl beneficiary dies before attaining 18 years of age, the PNB Balika Shiksha FD amount is not paid to her family members. Instead, the funds are transferred to the central government's accounts. 

13.What interest rate does the PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme earn?

The PNB Balika Shiksha FD Scheme earns Punjab National Bank's standard fixed deposit rate applicable to the deposit's tenure, the same as the bank's regular term deposits. These rates are revised periodically, so the current rates are listed in the table above. 

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