UDGAM Portal Guide 2026: Recover Your Unclaimed Bank Deposits
Have you forgotten an old savings account, a bank account that has been inactive for years, or a fixed deposit that matured but was never claimed? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides the UDGAM portal to help people search for eligible unclaimed bank deposits across participating banks.
UDGAM stands for Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation. It helps account holders, family members and eligible claimants identify deposits and find the relevant bank claim procedure. The portal is a search facility, not a direct payment platform.
Open Official RBI UDGAM PortalUDGAM Portal: Key Information
| Portal name | UDGAM – Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Main purpose | Search for eligible unclaimed bank deposits across participating banks |
| Who can use it? | Registered users, account holders and eligible claimants |
| Search information | Account holder name, bank and specified identity or personal details |
| Claim method | Through the respective bank, following its verification process |
| Official website | udgam.rbi.org.in |
1. What Is the RBI UDGAM Portal?
UDGAM is a centralised RBI portal that allows registered users to search for eligible unclaimed deposits across participating banks from one place. It can help people locate deposits they may have forgotten about, including certain old savings or current accounts and unclaimed term deposits.
Under RBI rules, bank balances that remain unclaimed for 10 years or more, or amounts otherwise covered by the applicable rules, are transferred to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. The transfer does not extinguish the rightful claimant rights. A claim must be submitted to the concerned bank and completed under its prescribed process.
2. Which Old Bank Accounts and FDs Can You Search For?
- Old savings bank accounts that have not been operated for many years.
- Inactive current accounts that may contain an unclaimed balance.
- Eligible fixed deposits or term deposits that have remained unclaimed.
- Matured deposits for which the proceeds have not been collected, where covered by the applicable process.
- Eligible deposits belonging to a deceased family member, where the claimant is an authorised nominee, survivor or legal heir.
UDGAM searches deposits covered by its participating-bank data. Not every bank or every inactive account will necessarily appear in the results. An account being inactive for a shorter period does not automatically mean its funds have been transferred to the DEA Fund.
3. How to Search for Old Bank Account or FD Money Online
- Visit the official UDGAM portal.
- Register using your name and mobile number as requested by the portal.
- Log in to your registered account.
- Select the bank or banks you want to search.
- Enter the account holder name and the requested search details. These may include PAN, driving licence number, voter ID, passport number or date of birth. The portal may allow an address to be used where the specified information is unavailable.
- Submit the search request and review the matching results.
- If a possible match appears, save or print the result and note the Unclaimed Deposit Reference Number (UDRN), where displayed.
- Use the bank-specific claim instructions linked in the results and contact the concerned bank.
Enter details carefully. A search result should be checked against your own records before you begin a claim.
4. How to Claim Money From an Old Bank Account
Finding a deposit on UDGAM is only the first step. The bank that holds the account or deposit processes the claim.
- Identify the bank shown in the UDGAM search result.
- Read the claim or account reactivation instructions published by that bank.
- Contact the bank branch or use its official online claim facility, if available.
- Submit the claim form, identity documents and other records requested by the bank.
- Provide the UDRN or search result details when requested.
- Complete KYC, account verification and any additional checks required by the bank.
- Keep the acknowledgement or reference number and follow up through official bank channels.
The bank will verify the claimant and the deposit before releasing the eligible amount or reactivating the account. UDGAM does not guarantee automatic payment or instant settlement.
5. How to Claim an Old Fixed Deposit (FD)
If you believe you had an old FD, first search for the deposit on UDGAM if it falls within the portal coverage. You can also contact the bank that issued the fixed deposit receipt or maintained the deposit.
- Provide the FD receipt or deposit number if available.
- Share the account holder name and the identity details requested by the bank.
- Provide maturity details, old bank statements or other supporting records if available.
- If the original receipt is missing, ask the bank about its lost-receipt procedure.
- Ask the bank to confirm the maturity value, applicable interest and any relevant terms.
- Complete verification and the bank claim process before expecting payment.
The amount payable depends on the deposit terms, maturity date, applicable rules and the bank records. Do not assume every old FD earns the original FD interest rate indefinitely after maturity. Ask the bank for the applicable calculation.
6. Documents Required to Claim Unclaimed Deposits
The final list depends on whether the claim is made by the original account holder, a nominee, a surviving joint holder or a legal heir. Commonly requested documents may include:
- Aadhaar card or another identity document accepted by the bank.
- PAN card, where applicable.
- Address proof and updated KYC details.
- Bank passbook, account details or old bank statements, if available.
- Fixed deposit receipt or deposit details, if available.
- UDGAM search result or UDRN, where available.
- Recent photograph and claim form, where requested.
- For a deceased depositor: death certificate and documents establishing nominee, survivor or legal-heir status, as applicable.
- Additional declarations, indemnities or other documents where required under the bank procedure and applicable rules.
This is a general checklist, not a universal mandatory list. Confirm the exact requirements with the concerned bank before visiting a branch.
7. How Can a Legal Heir Claim a Deceased Family Member Deposit?
If the original account holder has died, an eligible nominee, survivor or legal heir may approach the bank. The bank will establish the claimant status and apply the relevant deceased-claim procedure.
- Search for the deposit using the deceased account holder details, where permitted.
- Contact the bank named in the search result.
- Inform the bank that the original account holder is deceased.
- Submit the death certificate and the nominee, survivor or legal-heir documents requested for that case.
- Complete the bank verification and claim process.
The documentation can vary according to the nomination status, account mandate, claim amount, disputes and bank rules. Ask the bank for the correct checklist for your specific case.
8. What If Your Account Does Not Appear on UDGAM?
- Check the spelling of the account holder name and try known name variations.
- Verify that you selected the correct bank.
- Try the other identity or personal details accepted by the portal.
- Check the participating-bank list on the official UDGAM website.
- Contact the bank directly and ask it to search its records for the account or FD.
- Check the bank website for its own unclaimed-deposit search or claim facility.
A missing search result does not prove that the money has been lost. The deposit may not fall within the portal data, may belong to a bank not covered by the search, or may require direct verification by the bank.
9. Is There a Fee or Deadline to Claim Old Bank Money?
UDGAM is an RBI search facility. Use the official portal and the bank contact details published on its official website. The claim is handled by the bank under its prescribed process, so confirm any applicable charges, documents and processing requirements directly with the bank.
RBI and government information states that transferring an eligible unclaimed deposit to the DEA Fund does not end the rightful claimant rights. Do not delay solely because a deposit is old. The exact claim process and documentation still need to be completed with the concerned bank.
10. Important Safety Tips Before Claiming Your Money
- Use the official RBI UDGAM website and the bank website only.
- Never share your OTP, PIN, internet banking password or card security code with callers claiming to release your money.
- Do not pay an unknown agent who promises guaranteed recovery or instant release.
- Do not install remote-access applications at the request of an unknown caller.
- Verify any message, phone number or payment request using the official bank website or branch.
- Keep copies of your claim form and acknowledgement.
11. Official Websites and Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw old bank account money from home?
You can search for eligible unclaimed deposits online through UDGAM. The actual claim must be completed with the concerned bank, which may offer online submission or require branch verification.
Can I find an old FD on the UDGAM portal?
Eligible unclaimed term deposits may appear if they are included in the participating bank data. You can also contact the issuing bank directly.
Does RBI pay the money directly through UDGAM?
No. UDGAM helps users search and find claim instructions. The respective bank handles the claim and payment process.
Will old money be forfeited after 10 years?
Eligible deposits may be transferred to the RBI DEA Fund after the applicable period, but the transfer does not extinguish the rightful claimant rights. The claim must be made through the bank.
Can I claim money from a deceased family member account?
An eligible nominee, survivor or legal heir can approach the bank with the required documents and complete the applicable claim process.
What if the old account is not listed?
Check the search details and participating-bank list, then contact the bank directly to investigate its records.
Disclaimer: This article is for general financial awareness and does not guarantee that a particular deposit exists or that a claim will be approved. Eligibility, documentation and settlement depend on RBI rules, bank records and the claimant verification process. Always use official government and bank websites.
