To enhance consumer convenience and financial transparency, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access information) web portal. This innovative platform aims to consolidate unclaimed deposits from multiple banks, streamlining the process for individuals to locate and reclaim their dormant funds. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search capabilities, UDGAM simplifies the task of tracking unclaimed deposits and raises awareness about the importance of maintaining active financial accounts.
The UDGAM Initiative
The RBI introduced the UDGAM portal on August 17, 2023, as part of its commitment to consumer welfare and technological advancement. The platform aims to provide a centralized web facility for searching unclaimed deposits across various banks, offering a one-stop solution for account holders.
Registering and Checking Unclaimed Deposits on the UDGAM Portal
Registration Process
To initiate your journey to recover unclaimed deposits through the UDGAM portal, follow these steps:
- Visit the UDGAM portal at https://udgam.rbi.org.in/unclaimed-deposits/#/register.
- Register your phone number and provide your name.
- Set a password and input the Captcha code for security purposes.
- Tick the checkbox and proceed to the next step.
- Enter the OTP (One-Time Password) received to complete the verification process.
Checking Unclaimed Deposits
Once registered, follow these steps to search for unclaimed deposits:
- Access the UDGAM portal at https://udgam.rbi.org.in/unclaimed-deposits/#/login.
- Provide your registered phone number, password, and Captcha code, followed by the received OTP.
- Fill in the mandatory field “Name of Account Holder.”
- Choose the specific bank from the list.
- Enter at least one of the following search criteria:
- PAN (Permanent Account Number)
- Voter ID
- Driving License Number
- Passport Number
- Date of Birth
- Click the search button to retrieve information about any unclaimed deposit accounts.
The List of Participating Banks
The UDGAM portal currently offers access to unclaimed deposits from the following seven banks:
- State Bank of India
- Punjab National Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd.
- South Indian Bank Ltd.
- DBS Bank India Ltd.
- Citibank N.A.
Additional banks will be incorporated into the portal by October 15, 2023, expanding its reach and effectiveness.
What are Unclaimed Deposits?
“Unclaimed Deposits” denote funds in savings or current accounts that have remained untouched for a decade or term deposits that have not been repaid within ten years of maturity. The UDGAM portal is a solution to this issue, aiding in the identification and reclamation of these forgotten financial resources.
Depositor Education and Awareness
According to the RBI regulations, any funds held in Indian bank accounts or deposits unclaimed for ten years or more must be credited to a dedicated fund within three months of the ten-year mark. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining an active relationship with your financial institutions.
Collaboration and Convenience
The UDGAM portal is the result of collaborative efforts between participating banks, the Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), and the Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS). This partnership ensures a robust, secure, user-friendly platform that benefits customers and financial institutions.
Empowering Account Holders
With the UDGAM portal’s inception, account holders gain a powerful tool to locate their unused deposits and accounts. This empowers individuals to either reactivate their dormant accounts or claim their unused deposit amounts, reinforcing financial engagement and responsibility.
The Future of UDGAM
While the portal covers seven prominent banks, its expansion plan to include more financial institutions demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and financial transparency. By providing a central hub for unclaimed deposits, the RBI is revolutionizing the reclaiming of dormant funds, fostering a more informed and proactive financial ecosystem for all.
