Track old bank balances in one place with RBI’s UDGAM portal

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• RBI's UDGAM portal helps locate unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.
• UDGAM is an information tool; claims must be made directly with the bank.
• Old deposits moved to DEAF can still be claimed by contacting the bank.

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Unclaimed deposits are rarely “lost” because someone forgot they had money. They are usually stranded because the account went quiet, the phone number changed, the branch moved, or a person passed away and the family never found the paper trail. RBI’s UDGAM portal, short for Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access Information, is meant to solve the first problem: finding where the money might be. It does not replace the claim process, but it makes discovery far simpler by letting you search across multiple banks on a single platform.

What UDGAM can and cannot do

Think of UDGAM as a locator, not a payout mechanism. If a search throws up a potential match, you do not “withdraw” from the portal. You use that lead to approach the relevant bank, complete its documentation and KYC, and then receive funds as per the bank’s process. That division of labour is deliberate: the portal is about access to information, while banks remain responsible for verification and settlement.

How to use the portal without getting tripped up

Most failed searches happen because people type only one version of a name. Try common variants that appear across documents, including initials, spacing differences, and expanded middle names. If you are searching for a parent or spouse, try their name exactly as it appears on old passbooks, fixed deposit receipts, or tax documents, not how the family says it informally. If you have past addresses, older mobile numbers, or older email IDs linked to banking, keep them handy because banks often use these to confirm identity later, even if the portal search itself is simple.

Once you find a likely match, treat it like a lead, not a guarantee

A match usually means the bank has an entry that resembles your details. Your next step is to contact the bank and ask what documents they need to close or revive the account and release the balance. For the account holder, this is typically standard KYC plus a simple request. For legal heirs, banks generally ask for a death certificate, identity proof of the claimant, and additional legal documentation depending on the amount and the bank’s internal policy. UDGAM reduces the detective work; it does not remove the bank’s duty to verify.

Where “ten-years-old” money goes, and why you can still claim it

When deposits remain unclaimed for a long period, banks transfer eligible amounts to RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness Fund (DEAF), but the depositor or legal heirs can still claim the money from the bank; the bank then settles it and recovers the amount from the fund. This is why finding the deposit is so important: the right to claim does not automatically disappear just because the money moved into a pooled fund.

FAQs

Is UDGAM only for savings accounts?

UDGAM is designed to help users locate unclaimed deposits with participating banks. The exact product coverage can vary by bank, so if you see a match, confirm with the bank what type of account or deposit it relates to.

If UDGAM shows a match, can I claim the money online instantly?

No. UDGAM helps you identify where an unclaimed deposit may exist. The claim, verification and payment are handled by the concerned bank through its regular process.

What if the deposit is very old and was transferred to DEAF?

You can still approach the bank and submit a claim. If the bank verifies it, it will pay you and then settle with DEAF internally.