The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced important changes to provide relief to regular customers. These updates apply to Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts, also known as zero-balance accounts.
Under the new rules, BSBD account holders will get several facilities such as:
Monthly deposit limits
Free ATM or debit card access with no renewal charges
A checkbook with at least 25 pages every year
Internet and mobile banking services
Passbooks or monthly account statements
Banks must also allow at least four free withdrawals per month, including withdrawals from their own ATMs and other bank ATMs.
Digital Payments Will Not Count as Withdrawals
Customers using digital payment methods like UPI, IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS will get a major benefit. These digital transactions will not be counted in the monthly withdrawal limit. This means users will not face any additional charges for digital payments.
Existing BSBD account holders can request these new facilities. Regular savings account holders can also convert their accounts into BSBD accounts, as long as they do not have another account in any other bank.
When Will the New Rules Start?
The new changes will be implemented from April 1, 2026. However, banks can choose to adopt them earlier if they wish.
The RBI has issued these instructions under the updated Responsible Business Conduct Directions, 2025, which officially changes the structure of BSBD accounts.
These new rules increase the minimum facilities for all BSBD account holders, giving better access and benefits to people with low-value deposits.