SBI Dormant Account Reactivation 2026 — Complete Guide

An SBI account becomes dormant if there are no customer-initiated transactions for 24 consecutive months. Salary credits and bank charges don't count — only debits/withdrawals you make count. Here's exactly how to reactivate your SBI dormant account.

SBI Dormant Account — What Changes

Step-by-Step: SBI Dormant Reactivation at Branch (Primary Method)

1. Visit any SBI branch (home branch is faster; other branches can also process)
2. Carry original documents:
   • Aadhaar card (mandatory for KYC)
   • PAN card (if not updated)
   • Passbook (SBI passbook if available)
3. At the counter: Say "I want to reactivate my dormant account"
4. Fill "Account Reactivation Request" form (given at counter)
5. Perform a fresh transaction: Deposit any amount (even ₹100 cash deposit at counter)
6. Branch updates KYC if needed (Aadhaar + PAN)
7. Reactivation: Same day (within 2–4 hours)
8. Confirm reactivation via ATM withdrawal (test transaction)

SBI Dormant Reactivation via YONO (If Net Banking Works)

Some SBI dormant accounts can be reactivated online if YONO access is not fully restricted:

1. Login to YONO SBI app
2. Navigate to "Accounts" → Your dormant account
3. If reactivation option available: Follow on-screen instructions
4. You may need to:
   • Update Aadhaar OTP KYC online
   • Submit self-declaration
5. If YONO shows limited access: Branch visit is required

SBI Dormant Account — KYC Requirement

SBI requires KYC update at the time of reactivation:

• Aadhaar linking (mandatory if not already linked)
• PAN linking (for accounts transacting > ₹50,000/year)
• If KYC is already complete and valid: Only a fresh transaction needed

SBI Dormant Account — After 10 Years (DEAF Transfer)

If SBI account is dormant/unclaimed for 10 years:

• Balance transferred to DEAF (Depositor Education and Awareness Fund) maintained by RBI
• Account is NOT closed — it remains at SBI
• To claim back: Visit SBI branch → Fill DEAF claim form → Receive amount (takes 3–5 working days for DEAF-transferred amounts)

Frequently Asked Questions

My SBI account has been dormant for 5 years — can it still be reactivated? Yes — SBI accounts are reactivable up to 10 years. After 10 years, balance goes to DEAF but is still claimable. Visit branch immediately to reactivate.

SBI net banking says "Your account is dormant" — what to do? Login works but full features are blocked. Visit your SBI home branch with Aadhaar + PAN. Deposit ₹100 at the counter. Reactivation done same day.

SBI dormant account — is there any reactivation fee? No. SBI does not charge a reactivation fee. However, check if there are maintenance charges pending that reduced your balance during dormancy.

My SBI dormant account shows ₹0 balance — where did my money go? SBI may deduct non-maintenance charges during dormancy. Check the last 5 years of statement (request at branch). If your balance was significant and dropped to ₹0 from charges only, dispute the charges at branch.

Can salary be credited to dormant SBI account? Incoming credits (salary, NEFT received) continue even in dormant status. But you cannot withdraw until reactivated. Reactivate immediately to access accumulated salary.