Efforts to reunite unclaimed financial assets with their rightful owners have gathered pace, with a notable surge in payouts reported in recent months, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Significant Jump in Monthly Payouts
The central bank highlighted that average monthly reimbursements of unclaimed deposits have increased sharply to ₹760 crore since October, compared to around ₹180 crore per month during the April–September 2025 period.
Lakshmi Kanth Rao attributed this substantial rise to two key factors: a nationwide awareness campaign conducted between October and December and incentive schemes introduced for banks to accelerate the identification and settlement of dormant accounts.
He described the increase as a significant improvement, noting that these initiatives have enabled a large volume of funds to be returned to claimants.
To further support banks in tracing account holders and processing claims, the RBI has allocated approximately ₹600 crore as part of its incentive framework.
Nationwide Campaign Drives Momentum
A major catalyst behind this progress has been the campaign titled “Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar – Your Money, Your Right,” launched by the Government of India in collaboration with the RBI and other financial regulators.
The initiative focused on facilitating the return of unclaimed assets across various categories, including bank deposits, insurance policies, dividends, shares, mutual funds, and pension funds.
Multiple regulatory bodies participated in the drive, such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), highlighting a coordinated ecosystem-wide effort.
Within just the first two months of the campaign, nearly ₹2,000 crore worth of unclaimed assets were successfully returned.
Recovery Progress and Data Insights
Data shared in the Rajya Sabha by Pankaj Chaudhary revealed that special outreach camps were organised across 748 districts nationwide.
As of February 28, 2026, unclaimed assets worth ₹5,777 crore linked to approximately 22.95 lakh claims had been refunded to individuals.
Despite this progress, the RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness Fund still held ₹60,518 crore as of January 31, 2026, indicating the substantial volume of unclaimed deposits that remain in the system.
Technology Platforms Improve Access
Digital platforms have played a crucial role in simplifying the claims process. The RBI’s UDGAM portal allows users to search for unclaimed bank deposits across multiple institutions, with over 18.86 lakh registered users as of March 2026.
Similarly, platforms like IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa and SEBI’s MITRA have made it easier for individuals to track insurance claims and mutual fund holdings, helping them either recover funds or reactivate inactive accounts.
Conclusion
The combined impact of awareness campaigns, regulatory collaboration, and digital tools has significantly improved the recovery of unclaimed financial assets in India. With monthly payouts rising sharply, these efforts are helping ensure that dormant funds are returned efficiently to their rightful owners.
Summary:
RBI reported a sharp increase in unclaimed deposit payouts, with monthly reimbursements rising to ₹760 crore from October 2025. The surge has been driven by nationwide campaigns, bank incentives, and improved digital platforms, leading to faster recovery and return of dormant financial assets.
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