How to Find and Claim Unclaimed Bank Deposits in India Through RBI's UDGAM Portal

Thousands of crores of rupees lie forgotten in Indian bank accounts, and the RBI's UDGAM portal now makes it possible to find and claim unclaimed bank deposits in India from a single place. Whether it is a savings account a relative forgot, a matured fixed deposit never collected or an account of a deceased family member, the search and claim process is free and largely online. This guide explains the 10 year rule, the DEAF transfer, the UDGAM search and the documentation needed to get the money back.

The 10 Year Rule and the DEAF

A savings or current account that has not been operated for 10 years, or a term deposit not claimed within 10 years from its maturity date, is classified as an unclaimed deposit. Banks must transfer such balances to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund, commonly called the DEAF, maintained by the Reserve Bank of India. Importantly, the money is not lost: the depositor or their legal heirs can still claim it from the bank, which then seeks a refund from the fund. Eligible interest bearing accounts continue to earn interest as prescribed.

What Is UDGAM

UDGAM stands for Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access inforMation. It is a centralised online portal developed by the RBI, available at udgam.rbi.org.in, that lets a registered user search for unclaimed deposits across multiple banks in one place. Around 30 banks are connected to the portal, covering roughly 90 percent of the value of unclaimed deposits in the DEAF. The portal searches and points you to the right bank; the actual settlement of the claim happens at the bank, not on the portal.

Step 1: Register and Search on UDGAM

Visit udgam.rbi.org.in and register with your mobile number, name and a password, then verify with the OTP. To search, enter the account holder's name and select the banks you want to check. Adding identifiers such as PAN, voter ID, driving licence number, passport number or date of birth narrows the results considerably, since name matches alone can be ambiguous. The results show the bank, branch and an Unclaimed Deposit Reference Number, called the UDRN, for each matching deposit.

Step 2: Approach the Bank With Documents

Take the UDRN and supporting documents to the bank that holds the deposit. The portal links each result to the bank's claim page or instructions. For a living account holder, banks typically require the claim form, KYC documents such as PAN and Aadhaar, proof of the account such as an old passbook, deposit receipt or statement, and updated contact details. After verification, the bank reactivates the account or pays out the balance with applicable interest.

Step 3: Claims by Nominees and Legal Heirs

If the original depositor has died, the nominee registered on the account can claim by submitting the death certificate, the claim form and their own KYC. Where there is no nomination, banks follow their deceased claim settlement procedure, which generally requires proof of legal heirship. Our guides on getting a legal heir certificate and obtaining a succession certificate explain which document applies and how to get it.

If the Bank Does Not Cooperate

Banks are required to process legitimate claims, and the RBI has directed them to display unclaimed deposit information and act on claims promptly. If a bank delays unreasonably, rejects a claim without proper reasons or fails to respond within 30 days, you can escalate. See our guide on filing a complaint with the RBI Banking Ombudsman for the integrated ombudsman process and its time limits.

Preventing Deposits From Going Unclaimed

A little housekeeping prevents the problem entirely. Keep nominations updated on every account and deposit, consolidate dormant accounts, inform family members where accounts are held and keep KYC current so banks can reach you. Transactions as simple as a small credit or debit keep an account operative. For broader estate planning, see our guide on making a valid will in India.

Related Reading

Money sent to the wrong account raises a different recovery process. Read our guide on recovering money sent to a wrong UPI ID or bank account.

For the interest rate environment affecting deposits and loans, see our explainer on the RBI's June 2026 repo rate decision.

Key Takeaways

Deposits untouched for 10 years move to the RBI's Depositor Education and Awareness Fund, but they remain claimable through the holding bank at any time. Search all major banks at once on udgam.rbi.org.in, note the UDRN, and submit the claim with KYC and account proof at the bank. Nominees claim with a death certificate; legal heirs may need a legal heir or succession certificate. If the bank stalls, the RBI Banking Ombudsman is the escalation route, and updated nominations prevent the problem for the next generation.