**Policy Summary: Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) Scheme in West Bengal**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1176, regarding the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) scheme in West Bengal, as of July 28, 2025.
The MSSC, launched on March 31, 2023, is a voluntary savings scheme aimed at promoting the financial independence of women. It is operated through the Department of Post and banks, offering a higher rate of interest to women depositors. No specific amount is allocated, sanctioned, or disbursed to West Bengal under the scheme, as it is a voluntary savings program.
The number of beneficiaries in West Bengal, since the scheme's inception, is as follows:
* **As of March 31, 2024:** 181,006
* **As of March 31, 2025:** 242,968
The year-wise and district-wise breakdown of beneficiaries is detailed in the annexure, with specific data provided for each district, including Darjeeling (4,063 beneficiaries as of 31.03.2024 and 5,655 as of 31.03.2025), Kalimpong (717 beneficiaries as of 31.03.2024 and 1,016 as of 31.03.2025), and Uttar Dinajpur (2,942 beneficiaries as of 31.03.2024 and 3,864 as of 31.03.2025).
The Department of Posts and agency banks promote the scheme's features and benefits to enhance its reach and impact.
Key Entities Referenced
Mahila Samman Saving Certificate: A voluntary savings scheme in India operated through the Department of Post and banks, offering a higher interest rate to women depositors to promote financial independence.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India, the focus of the Lok Sabha question regarding the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme.
Ministry of Finance: The Indian government ministry responsible for economic affairs, including the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where a question was raised regarding the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme.
PANKAJ CHAUDHARY: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Department of Post: An agency of the Indian government through which the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme is operated.
Darjeeling, West Bengal: A district in West Bengal, specifically mentioned in the Lok Sabha question regarding the enhancement of the reach of MSSC.
Kalimpong, West Bengal: A district in West Bengal, specifically mentioned in the Lok Sabha question regarding the enhancement of the reach of MSSC.
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1176
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY JULY 28, 2025 / SRAVANA 6, 1947(SAKA)
Mahila Samman Saving Certificate (MSSC) in West Bengal
No.1176
Shri Raju Bista:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of the amount allocated, sanctioned and disbursed for the State of West Bengal
under the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme (MSSC) since its inception, year-wise;
(b) the number of beneficiaries from the State of West Bengal since the inception of above
scheme, year-wise and district wise;
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to collaborate with local Government bodies and
self-help groups to enhance the reach and impact of MSSC in the State particularly in
Darjeeling, Kalimpong and North Dinajpur districts;
(d) the details of the initiatives being undertaken by the Government to promote awareness
of the MSSC among women in rural and semi-urban areas of West Bengal; and
(e) the details of incentives offered under MSSC in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and
North Dinajpur of West Bengal?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) Not applicable. Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) is a voluntary savings
scheme operated through Department of Post and banks, wherein higher rate of interest is
offered to the women depositors.
(b) Year-wise and district-wise number of beneficiaries under Mahila Samman Savings
Certificate (MSSC) since its inception pertaining to West Bengal State is attached as
‘Annexure’.
(c), (d) and (e) The scheme was launched by the Government on 31/03/2023 to promote
financial independence of women of the country. Department of Posts and all agency banks
promote and display salient feature/benefits of National Small Savings Schemes including
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme to enhance reach and impact of the schemes.
*****Annexure
Year-wise and district-wise number of beneficiaries under Mahila Samman Savings
Certificate (MSSC) since its inception in West Bengal
Sr. No. District of West Bengal The Number of The Number of
Beneficiaries as Beneficiaries as on
on 31.03.2024 31.03.2025
1 24 PARAGANAS NORTH 26700 37339
2 24 PARAGANAS SOUTH 10547 14262
3 Alipurduar 932 1341
4 BANKURA 11297 13679
5 BIRBHUM 3746 5370
6 COOCHBEHAR 1479 2208
7 DARJEELING 4063 5655
8 DINAJPUR DAKSHIN 2023 2532
9 DINAJPUR UTTAR 2942 3864
10 HOOGHLY 14199 20263
11 HOWRAH 14624 18201
12 JALPAIGURI 1979 2949
13 Jhargram 3107 3736
14 KALIMPONG 717 1016
15 KOLKATA 19576 27794
16 MALDAH 3589 4621
17 MEDINIPUR EAST 10945 14502
18 MEDINIPUR WEST 15294 18507
19 MURSHIDABAD 6364 8520
20 NADIA 8223 10875
21 PASCHIM BARDHAMAN 6963 10456
22 PURBA BARDHAMAN 7396 10044
23 PURULIA 4301 5234
Total 181006 242968