11 December 2025
6 min read
Ever felt like you misplaced a 500-rupee note and found it months later in your pocket? Imagine this happening on a much bigger scale. Many of us open bank accounts at different life stages for different reasons. For example, maybe it was a fixed deposit your parents opened years ago in your name, and no one remembers it now. You might be sitting on money you don’t even know exists. What most people don’t realize is that forgotten accounts still hold the money inside them, becoming what banks call “the unclaimed deposits”. And, it is still yours if you know how to claim it.
As of December 2025, the unclaimed deposits across banks in India now totalled around ₹78,000 crore. Each rupee in this figure belongs to someone who has earned it and simply lost track of it. But we have good news for you. Most of it can still be traced and claimed with a few simple steps.
What are unclaimed deposits?
Unclaimed deposits are funds lying in accounts that haven’t ben accessed by the account holders for a long period, typically 10 years or more. They are not the same as dormant accounts. Any account with no activity for 2 years is tagged as a dormant account, which remains temporarily inactive until you reactivate it.
Funds that can become “unclaimed” include:
- Savings bank deposit accounts
- Fixed or term deposit accounts
- Cumulative or recurring deposit accounts
- Current deposit accounts
- Cash credit accounts
- Dividends or mutual fund redemptions
Want to see the entire list of credited accounts? Head over to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s official website.
How does your money become “unclaimed”?
It usually happens because:
- People forget about old accounts they opened earlier for some reason.
- A family member passes away without sharing details about their bank accounts.
- People relocate, change phone numbers or addresses, and forget about that bank account.
- There’s a name mismatch (like initials or spelling differences) that causes problems with account access.
Since there’s no regular transaction or communication taking place, the bank marks such funds as inactive.
What happens to unclaimed deposits in India?
Don’t worry about your money being lost. It is transferred (along with the interest accrued) to a central pool called the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, managed by the RBI. It remains earmarked for the rightful owner. Banks and the RBI take note of it and return your money once you prove ownership.
Also, the RBI prohibits banks from using unclaimed money for their own purposes. Your deposits are insured and legally yours.
Why you should check for unclaimed deposits today
The way we manage money has changed, and that makes it surprisingly easy to lose track of old accounts.
Bank merger
When a bank merges, old account details, branch codes, or passbooks may no longer match what you remember. Many people assume the account is closed when, in reality, the money has simply moved into the unclaimed category.
Digital KYC norms keep changing
If your KYC isn’t updated with a new address, phone number, or ID details, banks may stop sending alerts or may mark your account inactive. Over time, that inactive account slips into the unclaimed account segment.
Job changes are frequent
Most of us change jobs every few years. With each new job often comes a new salary account. Old salary accounts that were never formally closed are one of the biggest sources of unclaimed deposits.
As you can see, checking for unclaimed deposits is simply good financial housekeeping.
How to claim unclaimed deposits in India
- Start by identifying where your money could be. Think back to old salary accounts or fixed deposits opened at branches that later closed or shifted their locations. Check emails or SMS alerts that could give you even the slightest hint.
- You can then use the RBI’s Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation (UDGAM) portal to look for any unclaimed deposits across multiple banks by entering your name along with basic details, like birth date, mobile number, and PAN card. This portal only lets you search for unclaimed deposits across banks and view each bank’s claim process. Actual claims must be made directly with the concerned bank.
- Collect your identity proofs, address proofs, and old bank passbooks or relevant documents.
- Visit your bank branch or use their online portal to initiate the claim. You might need to fill a form to update KYC, or in some cases, reactivate the account. You may need to fill out a KYC update form or request reactivation if your account has gone dormant.
- If your funds are with Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, you can still claim them through the bank by providing proof of identity and ownership.
- After submitting your claim, the bank should acknowledge your request within a few weeks. Keep the ticket or acknowledgement number carefully. If there’s no response from the bank, escalate the issue to the branch manager, then to the Zonal office for customer grievances if needed. If it’s still unresolved, you can file a complaint with the RBI’s Ombudsman, attaching all your supporting documents.
- Once the bank acknowledges your request and verifies your documents, the funds will be credited back to your active account.
How to check unclaimed deposits on the UDGAM portal?
1. Register for the portal
- Visit the UDGAM portal and click “Register”.
- Enter your name, mobile number, and set a password.
- Complete the captcha, accept the disclaimer, and verify with a mobile OTP to finish registration.
2. Login to your account
- On the portal, enter your mobile number, password, and captcha.
- Verify with the OTP and click login to access your account.
3. Search for unclaimed deposits
- Enter the account holder’s name and select the bank.
- For searching in an individual category, you need to provide account holder name, name of the bank, and any one of the documents: PAN, voter ID, driving license number, passport number, or date of birth of the account.
- Click ‘Search’ to see any unclaimed deposits and details on claiming them from the respective bank.
Things to remember
- If you suspect a fixed deposit exists but you no longer have the receipt, provide the branch with your identification and any available details, such as the approximate date, amount, or branch.
- If the bank has merged or the branch has shut, quote the old branch name or code and ask the bank to map it to the new branch. Submit re-KYC if required, a written claim or transfer request, and ask for a statement print or confirmation showing the balance and accrued interest.
- If the original account holder has passed away, inform the bank and submit the death certificate along with your KYC. If the account was “either/survivor” or had a survivorship mandate, the surviving holder can usually claim with basic documents.
How can you avoid unclaimed deposits?
Make sure your money doesn’t go unclaimed with these simple tips:
- You should keep a financial inventory, listing all your bank accounts, fixed deposits, recurring deposits, investments, and policies.
- Consider closing duplicate or inactive accounts to avoid this situation.
- Nominate a beneficiary for all your accounts, so your money reaches your loved ones without complications.
- Make at least one transaction a year, even a small deposit or withdrawal keep your account active.
- Keep your KYC details up-to-date. Changed your address or phone number? Inform your bank promptly.
- Use the internet or mobile banking apps to monitor your accounts regularly. Notifications make it easy!
- Always set reminders to keep tabs on your old accounts, nominees, and KYC details. A short annual audit prevents balances from going dormant again and ensures your money remains visible and accessible.
A bank account opened long ago or even an insurance payout that never reached you can silently slip into the “unclaimed” category. Still, your money doesn’t disappear, and you absolutely can get it back. With tools like the RBI’s UDGAM portal and a little bit of document gathering, finding your forgotten funds has never been easier. And once you reclaim it, you’re not just recovering money; you’re reclaiming control over your financial life.
