UDGAM Portal: How to Search and Claim Unclaimed Deposits
Use RBI's UDGAM portal to find unclaimed bank deposits in your or a relative's name, then claim them at the bank: steps, documents, interest, complaints.
In this article
To find unclaimed bank deposits, search on RBI's free UDGAM portal (udgam.rbi.org.in) with the account holder's name and an identifier such as PAN, voter ID, passport, driving licence or date of birth. If a match appears, go to any branch of the bank shown with KYC documents (or nominee or legal heir documents) and file a claim. The money is never forfeited: the bank pays you and recovers it from RBI's DEA Fund, with interest on interest-bearing deposits.
This guide is current as of October 2026. UDGAM is active; by 1 April 2026 it covered about 30 banks holding nearly 90% of the DEA Fund money, according to reports on RBI data.
Who this applies to
- Account holders who forgot an old savings account, FD or RD after moving cities or changing jobs.
- Nominees and legal heirs of a deceased person whose accounts were never claimed.
- Families sorting old papers with passbooks or FD receipts from banks that have since merged.
- Organisations, trusts and businesses with old accounts (claims follow the bank's process for non-individuals).
How money becomes "unclaimed"
| Stage | When it happens | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Inoperative | No customer-initiated transaction for 2 years | Debits stopped until reactivated; balance stays with the bank |
| Unclaimed | No operation for 10 years, or FD unclaimed 10 years after maturity | Balance moved to RBI's DEA Fund under Section 26A of the Banking Regulation Act |
| Claimed | Owner or heir files a claim | Bank pays out, then claims reimbursement from the DEA Fund |
If the account is only inoperative, you do not need UDGAM; see how to reactivate a dormant account.
What UDGAM shows and what it does not
Shows: the bank name, a unique reference (UDRN) for the deposit and basic details that help you identify it.
Does not:
- Settle or pay claims; only the bank does that.
- Cover post office deposits, EPF, insurance policies, mutual funds or shares. Those have separate routes (for example the IEPF for unclaimed dividends and shares, and insurers' own websites for policies).
- Guarantee every bank is listed. If your bank is not on UDGAM, ask the bank directly; banks also list unclaimed deposits on their own websites.
Documents required
If you are the account holder
- Proof of identity and address (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence)
- PAN or Form 60
- Old passbook, FD receipt, cheque book or account number, if you have them
- Photograph
If you are the nominee
- Death certificate of the account holder
- Your own KYC documents
- Claim form of the bank
If you are a legal heir and there is no nominee
- Death certificate
- KYC of all claimants
- Legal heir certificate, succession certificate, letter of administration or probate, depending on the amount and the bank's policy. Banks have simplified procedures for smaller amounts, often with an indemnity and affidavit
- No-objection from other legal heirs where required
For more on claims after a death, see bank accounts and investments after death.
How to search on UDGAM, step by step
- Open udgam.rbi.org.in. Check the address carefully; it must end in rbi.org.in.
- Register or continue as the portal allows; registration with your mobile number and OTP is used, though RBI has relaxed login and search restrictions over time.
- Enter the account holder's name exactly as it may appear in old bank records. Try variations (initials, with and without surname).
- Choose the bank(s) or search across all participating banks.
- Add one identifier: PAN, voter ID, driving licence, passport number, or date of birth. An address-based search option has also been added.
- Review results. Note the bank name and UDRN for each match.
- Repeat for other family members whose accounts may be unclaimed.
How to file the claim at the bank
- Visit any branch of the bank shown (many banks accept claims at any branch, not only the original one).
- Fill the claim or reactivation form and attach documents.
- Get an acknowledgement with date and reference.
- The bank verifies and pays into an account in your name, or reactivates the original account if you are the holder.
- The bank then claims the amount from the DEA Fund; you do not deal with RBI.
Sample covering letter:
Subject: Claim for unclaimed deposit – UDRN [number]
I found a deposit in the name of [account holder] on RBI's UDGAM portal
(UDRN [number], [bank name]). I am the [account holder / nominee / legal
heir]. Please process the claim and pay the amount with applicable interest
to my account [number, bank, IFSC]. Copies of KYC and supporting documents
are attached. Kindly acknowledge receipt and share the expected settlement date.
[Name], [mobile], [date]
Worked example: interest on an unclaimed FD
Your late father's FD of ₹2,00,000 matured on 1 June 2015 and was never claimed. It moved to the DEA Fund in 2025 after ten years. You claim it on 1 November 2026.
Under RBI's DEA Fund instructions, interest on unclaimed interest-bearing deposits is payable at 4% up to 30 June 2018, 3.5% from 1 July 2018 to 10 May 2021, and 3% from 11 May 2021 till payment. Assume the bank applies these rates simply from the maturity date (the bank also pays any savings-rate interest for the period before transfer as per its policy, so actual figures can differ):
- 1 June 2015 to 30 June 2018 (about 3.08 years) at 4%: ₹2,00,000 × 4% × 3.08 = ₹24,640
- 1 July 2018 to 10 May 2021 (about 2.86 years) at 3.5%: ₹2,00,000 × 3.5% × 2.86 = ₹20,020
- 11 May 2021 to 1 November 2026 (about 5.48 years) at 3%: ₹2,00,000 × 3% × 5.48 = ₹32,880
- Total interest: ₹24,640 + ₹20,020 + ₹32,880 = ₹77,540
- Approximate payout: ₹2,77,540
This is illustrative. Ask the bank for its interest computation in writing. Interest received is taxable in the year of receipt; see the FD calculator to compare what the money could earn once reinvested.
Status tracking
- Keep the acknowledgement and claim reference and follow up with the branch weekly.
- Ask whether the claim needs approval from a regional or central office and the expected date.
- Check your bank statement for the credit; some banks pay by credit to a new account they open for you.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No result on UDGAM | Try name variations and other identifiers; ask the bank directly, as not every bank or deposit is covered |
| Original branch closed or bank merged | Approach the successor bank; see bank merger account problems |
| No passbook or account number | UDRN and KYC are usually enough; the bank matches its records |
| Bank demands succession certificate for a small amount | Ask for the bank's simplified procedure for small claims |
| Name mismatch (old spelling) | Provide an affidavit or gazette notification and documents showing both names |
| Claim pending for weeks | Escalate in writing to the grievance officer |
How to complain
- Branch manager, then the bank's grievance redressal or principal nodal officer.
- RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in or 14448 if there is no satisfactory reply in 30 days. Our guide on bank not resolving a complaint explains how.
- Fraud warning: UDGAM searches and bank claims are free. Fake websites and callers posing as "RBI refund agents" ask for a fee or OTP; report them at cybercrime.gov.in or 1930, and to RBI's Sachet portal at sachet.rbi.org.in.
Key takeaways
- Search unclaimed deposits free at udgam.rbi.org.in using name plus PAN, voter ID, passport, driving licence or date of birth.
- UDGAM only finds the money; you claim it at the bank with KYC or nominee or legal heir documents.
- Deposits untouched for 10 years go to RBI's DEA Fund but are never forfeited.
- Interest-bearing deposits earn interest on claim; 3% simple a year applies from 11 May 2021.
- Never pay an agent; escalate delays to the bank's grievance officer and then the RBI Ombudsman.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UDGAM portal?
UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation) is RBI's free website at udgam.rbi.org.in that lets you search, across participating banks, for deposits that have been moved to RBI's Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. It only helps you find the money; the claim is made at the bank.
Can I claim unclaimed deposits directly on UDGAM?
No. UDGAM shows the bank and a reference for the unclaimed deposit. You then go to any branch of that bank with KYC documents, or the nominee or legal heir's documents, and the bank pays the claim and recovers the money from the DEA Fund.
Do I get interest on an unclaimed deposit?
For interest-bearing deposits, banks pay interest when the claim is settled. RBI has set 3% simple interest a year from 11 May 2021 for the period the money sat in the DEA Fund, with earlier periods at the rates applicable then. Ask the bank for its interest calculation in writing.
Which banks are covered by UDGAM?
As of 2026, around 30 banks are integrated, covering nearly 90% of the money in the DEA Fund. Post office deposits, provident funds and insurance policies are not covered.
How long does it take to get unclaimed money back?
Once the bank receives a complete claim, an account holder's own claim is usually quick, often within days. Claims by nominees and legal heirs take longer because of document checks. If the bank does not settle within 30 days, you can escalate to its grievance officer and then the RBI Ombudsman.
Is there any fee to search or claim unclaimed deposits?
No. Searching on UDGAM is free and banks do not charge for settling the claim. Avoid agents or websites that ask for a fee to 'recover' unclaimed money.
This article is for general education and is not personalised financial, tax or legal advice. Rates and rules are as of 25 Oct 2026; confirm current terms with your lender, AMC or a qualified adviser.
