Bank Minimum Balance Requirements India 2026 — All Major Banks

Banks in India require savings account holders to maintain a Monthly Average Balance (MAB) or Quarterly Average Balance (QAB). If your balance drops below this threshold, the bank charges a non-maintenance fee (penalty). Here's the complete guide.

Important disclaimer: Bank charges and minimum balance requirements change periodically. The figures below are indicative based on publicly available information as of May 2026. Always verify the exact requirements on your bank's official website, net banking portal, or by calling customer care — especially before making large withdrawals.

What Is Monthly Average Balance (MAB)?

Banks calculate your average balance over the month (or quarter). You don't need to maintain the minimum amount every single day — your daily closing balance is averaged over 30 days.

Example: If minimum MAB is ₹10,000 and you had:

• ₹15,000 for 15 days + ₹5,000 for 15 days = Average ₹10,000 → No penalty

Minimum Balance — Public Sector Banks

State Bank of India (SBI)

SBI uses different minimum balance requirements based on branch location:

Verify at: sbi.co.in → Savings Account → Charges

Punjab National Bank (PNB)

Bank of Baroda

Canara Bank

Minimum Balance — Private Sector Banks

HDFC Bank

Verify at: hdfcbank.com → Banking → Savings Account → Charges & Fees

ICICI Bank

Verify at: icicibank.com → Personal Banking → Savings Account

Axis Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kotak 811 is India's most popular zero-balance digital savings account.

IndusInd Bank

Yes Bank

RBL Bank

Penalty for Not Maintaining Minimum Balance

Penalties vary based on the shortfall amount. Partial shortfall = proportional penalty. Check your specific account type's schedule of charges.

Zero Balance Account Options in India

Want to avoid minimum balance worry entirely? These are genuine zero-balance options:

How to open Kotak 811:

• Kotak Mobile app → Open New Account → 811 → Video KYC (5 minutes)
• No branch visit needed, instant activation

Minimum Balance for NRI Accounts

NRI accounts at PSU banks may have lower minimums than private banks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SBI charge penalty for not maintaining minimum balance? Yes — SBI charges a non-maintenance fee if the monthly average balance falls below the required level. For urban/metro accounts, this is ₹15–₹50 + GST. For zero-penalty accounts, open a Jan Dhan or Basic Savings account. Verify current charges at sbi.co.in.

Which bank has zero minimum balance for savings accounts? Kotak 811 (digital account), all BSBDA accounts (RBI mandated), Jan Dhan accounts (PMJDY), and most salary accounts have zero minimum balance requirements.

Can I convert my regular HDFC savings account to zero balance? HDFC allows Basic Savings Bank Deposit account (BSBDA) with zero minimum balance, but it has withdrawal limits (4 per month) and some feature restrictions. Contact HDFC bank to request conversion.

What happens if I don't maintain minimum balance continuously? Penalties are charged every month the balance falls short. Your account will NOT be closed for non-maintenance alone, but penalties keep accumulating. If the account reaches negative balance due to penalties, the bank may freeze it. Monitor your balance via SMS/app alerts.

Is minimum balance calculated daily or monthly? Most banks use Monthly Average Balance (MAB) — the average of your daily closing balance over the month. You can have high balance some days and low others — as long as the average meets the threshold, no penalty is charged.

My salary account's company changed — do I need to maintain minimum balance now? Yes. Once you leave a company, the salary account often converts to a regular savings account after 3 months of no salary credit. You then need to maintain the minimum balance or convert to a different account type. Check with your bank.