How to Claim Unclaimed Bank Deposits
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How to Claim Unclaimed Bank Deposits
RBI UDGAM Portal: Your Guide to Tracking Unclaimed Bank Deposits
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has streamlined the process of finding forgotten money through the UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access Information) portal. As of January 9, 2026, the portal integrates 30 major banks, covering approximately 90% of all unclaimed deposits in India by value.
Whether it’s a dormant savings account from a decade ago or an uncashed fixed deposit (FD) of a deceased relative, UDGAM serves as a centralized “search engine” to locate these funds.
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1. What is an “Unclaimed Deposit”?
In the Indian banking system, funds are classified as “unclaimed” if:
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Savings/Current Accounts: No “customer-induced” transactions (like a deposit or withdrawal) for 10 years.
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Fixed Deposits (FDs): Not claimed within 10 years from the date of maturity.
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Where the money goes: These funds are transferred to the RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, but they remain rightfully yours and can be claimed at any time with interest.
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2. How to Search on UDGAM (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps to conduct a thorough search:
Register
Visit udgam.rbi.org.in and register using your name and mobile number.
Login
Enter the OTP sent to your phone.
Search Criteria
* Name (Mandatory): Enter the account holderu2019s name exactly as it might appear on old records.
Results
If a match is found, the portal will display the bank name and a Unique Deposit Reference Number (UDRN).
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3. Claiming the Money: The “Next Step”
The UDGAM portal is a locator, not a withdrawal tool. Once you find a match:
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Approach the Bank: Visit the specific bank branch with your UDRN.
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Submit Documentation:
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For Yourself: Fresh KYC (Aadhaar/PAN) and a claim application.
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For Legal Heirs: Death certificate of the account holder, identity proof of the claimant, and proof of relationship.
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Processing: The bank will verify the details and settle the claim directly into your active bank account.
4. Active Campaigns in 2026
The RBI is currently running a year-long special initiative titled “Apki Poonji, Apka Adhikar” (Your Wealth, Your Right), which aims to reduce the estimated ₹1.84 lakh crore currently lying unclaimed.
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Special Camps: Nationwide awareness camps are being held in every district through September 30, 2026, to help senior citizens and legal heirs with the documentation process.
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