The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a special campaign from October to December 2025 to help people recover unclaimed bank deposits across the country.
The aim is to return money lying in accounts that have been inactive for over 10 years to their rightful owners.
Such inactive accounts are usually transferred to the RBI’s Depositor Education
and Awareness (DEA) Fund, but account holders or their legal heirs can claim the money anytime by following the proper procedure.
How to Check and Claim Unclaimed Funds
If you or a family member have an unclaimed deposit, you can search for it on the RBI website or through the ‘UDGAM’ portal.
These platforms will show the bank name and account reference number linked to the unclaimed funds.
To make a claim, visit the concerned bank branch, fill out the claim form, and submit your KYC documents like Aadhaar and voter ID.
If you are claiming as a legal heir, you must also provide legal documents, such as a death certificate of the account holder.
Banks are required to settle the claim within three months, ensuring faster recovery of funds.
Simplified KYC and RBI’s New Initiatives
The RBI has made the KYC update process easier. Customers can now complete KYC at a bank branch, through a video call, or with the help of a local business correspondent.
This initiative is part of RBI’s broader goal to promote financial inclusion
and transparency while helping recover thousands of crores of rupees lying unclaimed in dormant accounts.
Expert Opinions and Public Awareness
According to banking experts, this campaign will improve transparency in the financial system and help families trace forgotten accounts.
However, they also highlight that low awareness in rural areas remains a key challenge.
If you or someone you know has money in an inactive bank account, there’s no need to worry. With your updated KYC
and the right documents, you can easily claim your funds during this special RBI drive — and the process is completely free of charge.
