Unclaimed Deposits: How to check on the RBI UDGAM portal and claim your bank deposit money

Have you ever found a ₹500 note you misplaced months ago? Imagine that feeling, but multiplied significantly. Many of us open bank accounts throughout our lives—perhaps a fixed deposit your parents started years ago that no one remembers now. You might unknowingly be sitting on money that’s rightfully yours. These forgotten accounts still hold funds, which banks categorise as “unclaimed deposits.” The good news is that this money is still yours if you know how to claim it.

As of December 2025, unclaimed deposits across Indian banks total a staggering ₹78,000 crore. Every rupee in this massive figure belongs to someone who simply lost track of it. But don’t worry—most of this money can still be traced and claimed through a few simple steps.

What are unclaimed deposits?

Unclaimed deposits are funds in accounts that have not been 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 two years is considered a dormant account, which remains temporarily inactive until you reactivate it.

Funds that can become “unclaimed”

• Savings, current, fixed, recurring, and other deposit accounts

• Cash credit and loan accounts (after due appropriation)

• Margin money/security deposits and Letters of Credit/Guarantee

• Outstanding transfers, drafts, pay orders, cheques, NEFT credits, and transitory/unreconciled balances

• Undrawn prepaid card balances (excluding travelers’ cheques or other similar instruments, which have no maturity period)

• Rupee proceeds of foreign currency deposits by banks after foreign currency to rupee conversion

• Other amounts specified by the RBI

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”?

This usually happens because:

• People forget about old accounts they opened for various reasons.
• 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 is a name mismatch (such as initials or spelling differences) that causes problems with account access.
• Bank mergers often cause outdated account information, leading people to believe their account is closed

Since there are no regular transactions 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. Unclaimed deposits, along with the interest accrued, are transferred to a central pool called the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, managed by the RBI. This fund remains earmarked for the rightful owner. Both banks and the RBI keep track of these funds and will return your money once you prove ownership.

Additionally, the RBI prohibits banks from using unclaimed money for their own purposes. Your deposits are insured and remain legally yours.

How to check unclaimed deposits on the UDGAM portal

1. Register to the UDGAM 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.

How to claim unclaimed deposits in India

1. The UDGAM portal is the first step 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.
2. Collect your identity proofs, address proofs, and old bank passbooks or relevant documents that could help with this process.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Once the bank acknowledges your request and verifies your documents, the funds will be credited back to your active account.

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.