On October 4, 2025, India launched a landmark national campaign — “Your Capital, Your Rights” (आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार) — with a mission to return nearly ₹1.84 lakh crore worth of unclaimed financial assets lying dormant across banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and other financial institutions.
The three-month campaign (October–December 2025) was inaugurated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and represents a major collaboration between key regulatory and financial bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), and several banks and insurers.
This initiative aims to empower citizens to reclaim their long-forgotten funds through simplified, transparent, and digital processes — primarily using the RBI’s UDGAM portal (Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access Information). Built around the core pillars of Awareness, Outreach, and Action, the campaign reflects the government’s growing focus on financial inclusion, accountability, and citizen rights.
Let’s dive deeper into why this campaign matters, what mechanisms power it, what the numbers reveal, and what challenges still lie ahead in ensuring that every rupee finds its rightful owner.
Why This Campaign Is Needed
Unclaimed Assets Are Huge and Growing
India’s financial ecosystem currently holds an enormous volume of unclaimed assets, reflecting years of unawareness, migration, and lack of documentation among citizens.
- Over ₹75,000 crore in unclaimed bank deposits is parked with the RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, representing money from dormant or forgotten savings accounts, fixed deposits, and term deposits.
- More than ₹13,800 crore remains unclaimed in insurance proceeds, often because nominees are unaware of the policy, or due to incomplete documentation at the time of claim.
- Mutual funds and dividends together contribute an additional ₹3,000–₹3,500 crore in unclaimed amounts, while unpaid dividends alone exceed ₹9,000 crore.
These numbers underline a concerning reality — billions of rupees belonging to ordinary citizens remain idle. Many families lose track of such funds due to deaths without nomination updates, relocation, or lack of digital literacy.
This campaign, therefore, comes as a crucial step to reconnect people with their forgotten wealth, while also building awareness about the importance of financial tracking, updated nominations, and intergenerational financial communication.
Root Causes of Unclaimed Funds
The growing pool of unclaimed financial assets in India can be traced back to several structural and behavioral factors. Understanding these causes is essential to prevent future accumulation of such dormant wealth.
- Dormant or Inactive Bank Accounts:
Thousands of savings, current, and term deposit accounts turn inactive every year due to prolonged non-usage. Over time, these accounts are categorized as “dormant,” and if left untouched beyond a prescribed period, the balances are transferred to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund as per RBI guidelines. Common reasons include relocation, the death of the account holder, or lack of awareness among family members. - Lack of Financial Awareness:
Many citizens are simply unaware that they have unclaimed money or how to trace it. People often open multiple accounts or investments during their working years and forget about them later. Limited understanding of how to reclaim these funds further contributes to the problem. - Unclaimed Insurance Policies:
A significant share of unclaimed funds arises from insurance maturity or death benefits that never reach the intended beneficiaries. This usually happens when nominee details are missing or outdated, or when family members are unaware of the policy’s existence. In some cases, contact details are incorrect, preventing insurers from notifying claimants. - Unclaimed Mutual Funds and Dividends:
Investors often fail to monitor dividend payouts or redemption amounts, especially when they switch banks, change addresses, or forget to update their KYC details. Over time, these small amounts accumulate into a large pool of unclaimed mutual fund units and dividends. - Changing Lifestyles and Poor Record Keeping:
With growing urban migration, job changes, and digital transformation, many people lose track of old financial documents. Shifting from physical records to online platforms without proper consolidation has also widened the information gap. - Lack of Timely Nomination Updates:
Even when investments are made, people rarely update nominees after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, or the death of a family member. This results in rightful heirs facing long delays or losing access to funds altogether.
Key Mechanisms & Tools: UDGAM and Regulatory Actions
UDGAM Portal (RBI)
What It Is:
UDGAM, short for Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access Information, is a centralized online portal developed by the Reserve Bank of India to help citizens trace their unclaimed bank deposits across multiple banks. The portal acts as a one-stop digital platform to locate dormant or forgotten deposits but does not directly disburse funds. Instead, it provides users with the information needed to approach the respective bank or financial institution to claim their money.
This initiative is part of the broader “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign, aimed at simplifying the process of retrieving unclaimed funds while increasing transparency and awareness among citizens.
Bank Participation
As of March 2024, 30 major banks are integrated into the UDGAM platform, collectively covering approximately 90% of unclaimed deposits held under the RBI’s DEA Fund. Additional banks are being onboarded in phases to ensure nationwide coverage, making it easier for citizens across all states and union territories to locate and reclaim their dormant funds.
Information Needed to Search
To effectively search for unclaimed deposits on UDGAM, citizens need to provide:
- Full name (as registered with the bank)
- Mobile number (for OTP verification and secure login)
- Bank name(s) — users can select one or multiple banks to check for unclaimed deposits
- One or more identity proofs such as PAN, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, or Date of Birth
- Users can search through entering city and state
Providing accurate information is crucial because any mismatch in spelling, date of birth, or ID details may prevent the portal from returning accurate results. Once a deposit is located, the portal guides users through the next steps to contact the bank, submit claims, and receive funds.
Why UDGAM Is Important
- Centralization of Data: Citizens no longer need to visit multiple banks individually to check for dormant accounts.
- Ease of Access: The portal is user-friendly and accessible from anywhere, making it easier for people to check their entitlements digitally.
- Transparency: UDGAM shows the bank(s) holding the unclaimed deposits, reducing dependency on intermediaries.
- Empowerment: Citizens gain control over their financial assets, promoting awareness about dormant funds and encouraging timely reclamation.
Through the combination of technology, regulatory oversight, and citizen outreach, UDGAM serves as a cornerstone for the “Your Capital, Your Rights” initiative, bridging the gap between unclaimed assets and rightful ownership.
Types of Deposits Covered
The UDGAM portal is designed to help citizens locate all kinds of unclaimed bank deposits that have been transferred to the RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. These deposits typically include:
- Savings Accounts:
Ordinary savings accounts that have remained inactive or dormant for years fall under this category. Even if a customer has a minor balance or automatic deposits, inactivity triggers classification as unclaimed after a bank-defined period. - Current Accounts:
Business or personal current accounts that are unused for long durations are included. Many small businesses or individuals forget old accounts after switching banks, leaving funds idle. - Term Deposits / Fixed Deposits:
Fixed deposits that mature but are not renewed or claimed are also covered. Interest accruals over time may add to the total unclaimed amount, making it a significant portion of the DEA Fund. - Other Bank Deposits:
Certain recurring deposits, bonds, or deposit schemes that remain inactive or unclaimed for extended periods are included, depending on bank reporting norms.
Key Points to Note:
- Deposits are transferred to the DEA Fund only after a legally prescribed period of inactivity, ensuring banks follow proper notification procedures before classifying an account as dormant.
- The portal does not pay out money directly; it simply informs users which bank holds the unclaimed deposit and provides instructions for filing a claim.
- Accurate personal information, including name, date of birth, and ID proofs, is essential to ensure the portal returns correct results.
- By covering all major types of dormant deposits, the UDGAM portal ensures that citizens can locate virtually any forgotten or unclaimed bank funds in one centralized platform.
Insurance Regulators & Actions (IRDAI)
The insurance sector in India has long held a significant portion of unclaimed funds, stemming from life insurance policies, maturity benefits, and death claims that remain unpaid due to lack of awareness or incomplete documentation. At the start of FY 2023–24, unclaimed amounts in the life insurance sector were estimated at nearly ₹22,000 crore. Following a special clearance drive conducted by insurers during that year, this figure was successfully reduced to around ₹20,000 crore.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) plays a pivotal role in ensuring these funds are returned to rightful beneficiaries. To strengthen accountability and minimize the accumulation of unclaimed funds, IRDAI has:
- Updated its master circular on unclaimed amounts to provide clearer definitions and guidelines for insurers.
- Directed insurers to maintain accurate nominee information for all policies, ensuring that death or maturity claims reach the intended beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.
- Emphasized regular updates of KYC (Know Your Customer) details, including contact information, addresses, and bank account links, to reduce the likelihood of claims going unprocessed.
- Monitored insurer compliance with unclaimed fund reporting and encouraged proactive outreach to policyholders or their heirs to settle pending claims.
Through these measures, IRDAI aims to improve transparency and accountability in the insurance sector, ensuring that citizens are empowered to claim benefits owed to them. The regulatory push also strengthens trust between the public and insurers, while helping prevent the indefinite accumulation of unclaimed insurance funds.
What Citizens Should Do: Step-by-Step Guide
- Know the campaign: Be aware that unclaimed financial assets exist and that this initiative helps citizens reclaim them.
- Visit the UDGAM portal: Go to the RBI’s official website for UDGAM and register with your mobile number and basic personal details.
- Search for unclaimed deposits: Enter your name, select bank(s), and provide one or more ID details such as PAN or passport.
- Check results: The portal displays banks that may hold unclaimed deposits under your name or that of a deceased relative, along with claim instructions.
- Contact the bank: Visit or contact the identified bank branch, fill in the claim form, and submit required documents like identity proof, kyc details, account details, and nominee certificates. As per DEA Fund Guidelines on Inoperative accounts claim process is as follow:
- Claim by Self : Customer visit base branch with request letter and submit valid proof of identity, address, and latest photograph.
- Claim by Legal Heir/ Nominee : Legal Heir/ Nominee can visit base branch and submit required document and has to comply with settlement process
- Claim by Non-Individual : Customer need to submit Claim form on the Company ‘s/Firms/ Institution’s letterhead duly signed by authorised signatories with valid identity and address proof.
“Your Capital, Your Rights” Campaign Features & Rollout
The “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign is a nationwide initiative designed to help citizens reclaim their unclaimed financial assets, with a focus on simplicity, accessibility, and transparency.
- Duration: The campaign runs for three months, from October to December 2025, providing ample time for awareness drives, outreach activities, and citizen engagement across India.
- Geographic Coverage: The campaign spans all states and union territories, combining digital platforms with on-ground support. Citizens can access help desks and kiosks set up in banks, insurance offices, and other financial institutions, ensuring that even those with limited internet access can participate.
- Collaboration: This initiative represents a coordinated effort between multiple regulatory and financial bodies, including:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for unclaimed bank deposits
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for unclaimed insurance policies
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for unclaimed mutual fund units and dividends
- Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for unclaimed pension funds
- Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)
- Various banks, insurers, and mutual fund companies
- Mode of Implementation: The campaign leverages a multi-channel approach:
- Digital outreach: Online portals like UDGAM, social media awareness, and email alerts.
- Physical outreach: Help desks, camps, and guidance in banks and insurance offices to assist people with documentation and claim procedures.
- Citizen engagement: Focused campaigns to educate individuals about dormant accounts, unclaimed policies, and dividends, ensuring maximum participation.
By combining technology, regulatory coordination, and on-ground support, the campaign aims to maximize citizen reach and ensure that unclaimed assets are returned efficiently and transparently.
Importance, Benefits & Impact
The “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign is not just a financial initiative; it carries far-reaching implications for citizens, institutions, and the broader economy.
- Financial Justice and Transparency:
The campaign ensures that every citizen receives funds that legally belong to them, whether from dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance proceeds, or unpaid dividends. By returning these assets, the government promotes fairness and accountability in the financial system, reducing the possibility of money being forgotten or misappropriated. - Empowering Citizens:
By simplifying the process of locating and claiming unclaimed assets, the campaign enables individuals to act independently, without relying on intermediaries or risking exploitation. Citizens gain direct control over their financial resources, which enhances confidence and promotes proactive financial management. - Boosting Trust in Financial Systems:
Transparent processes and coordinated efforts between regulatory bodies and financial institutions strengthen public confidence. When people see that banks, insurers, and regulators actively work to return dormant funds, it builds trust in the integrity and responsiveness of the financial ecosystem. - Economic Impact:
When idle or unclaimed funds are returned to citizens, it enhances their financial capacity. People can use this money for consumption, savings, or investment, which in turn stimulates economic activity, supports personal financial planning, and contributes to broader economic growth. - Sectoral Improvement:
The campaign also encourages banks, insurers, and mutual fund companies to maintain accurate customer information, regularly update KYC and nominee details, and monitor dormant accounts. This not only prevents future accumulation of unclaimed funds but also improves overall operational efficiency and reduces administrative challenges in managing inactive accounts.
By addressing both individual needs and systemic improvements, the campaign creates a win-win scenario — citizens reclaim what is theirs, institutions operate more efficiently, and the economy benefits from better circulation of funds.
Challenges & Things to Watch Out For
While the “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign is a significant step toward financial empowerment, there are several challenges and potential hurdles that citizens and authorities need to be aware of:
- Data Mismatches:
Slight differences in spelling of names, dates of birth, or addresses between bank records and citizen-provided information can prevent the UDGAM portal from returning accurate results. Citizens should carefully verify their documents and ensure they provide exact details when searching for unclaimed deposits. - Coverage Gaps:
While the UDGAM portal currently includes 30 major banks covering around 90% of unclaimed deposits, some smaller banks and financial institutions may not yet be integrated. This means certain unclaimed funds could still be outside the portal’s searchable system, requiring direct verification with individual institutions. - Claim Delays:
Processing claims may take time, particularly when accounts belong to deceased individuals or require verification of legal heirs. Documentation checks, nominee verification, and internal bank procedures can result in delays, requiring citizens to follow up patiently with the relevant institutions. - Awareness Gap:
Despite extensive outreach, many citizens — especially in rural or semi-urban areas — may remain unaware of the campaign or the steps needed to claim their funds. Continuous education, local workshops, and guidance through bank branches are essential to ensure maximum participation. - Fraud Risks:
Scammers may exploit the campaign’s publicity by posing as “agents” who claim they can help recover unclaimed funds for a fee. Citizens are strongly advised to use only official government portals, bank branches, or insurance offices for all claims and to avoid paying anyone for assistance.
By acknowledging these challenges, citizens can prepare and act cautiously, ensuring that they reclaim their rightful funds safely, accurately, and efficiently.
Conclusion
The “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign stands out as a landmark initiative in India’s financial history, representing a concerted effort to combine technology, regulatory oversight, and citizen outreach. By bridging the gap between dormant assets and rightful owners, the campaign reinforces financial transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment.
For many individuals and families, this initiative provides an opportunity to rediscover long-forgotten savings, unclaimed insurance benefits, mutual fund dividends, or matured deposits. Reclaiming these funds not only strengthens personal financial security but also encourages responsible financial planning and awareness for the future.
The campaign also sends a strong message about the responsiveness of financial institutions and regulators. By making unclaimed funds easily traceable and recoverable, it builds trust in the system, ensuring that citizens feel confident about engaging with banks, insurers, and other financial entities.
If you haven’t yet explored your unclaimed assets, now is the time to visit the UDGAM portal, verify your personal details, and initiate claims. These funds rightfully belong to you — it’s not just money; it’s your capital, your right. By taking action, citizens not only reclaim wealth but also become active participants in a transparent and accountable financial ecosystem.
FAQs
1. What is the “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign?
It’s a nationwide initiative launched by the Government of India in October 2025 to help citizens reclaim nearly ₹1.84 lakh crore in unclaimed financial assets lying in banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and other financial institutions.
2. What is the DEA Fund and why is it important?
The Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund is managed by the Reserve Bank of India. It holds money from dormant or inactive bank accounts that have not been operated for a long period. The fund ensures that such unclaimed deposits are safely maintained and can be returned to rightful owners whenever they come forward to claim them.
3. How can I check if I have any unclaimed deposits?
You can visit the RBI’s UDGAM portal (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access Information). By entering your name, bank name(s), and ID details (like PAN or date of birth), you can search across multiple banks for dormant or forgotten accounts.
4. Does UDGAM directly transfer my unclaimed money to my account?
No. UDGAM only helps you locate the bank that holds your unclaimed deposit. Once you identify it, you need to approach that bank with the required documents to process your claim.
5. What types of funds can I recover under this campaign?
You can claim funds from dormant savings accounts, current accounts, fixed deposits, recurring deposits, as well as unclaimed insurance policies, mutual fund dividends, and pension proceeds.
6. Why do so many people have unclaimed money?
Unclaimed funds accumulate due to reasons such as relocation, death without updated nomination, forgotten investments, change in bank accounts, or lack of financial awareness among family members.
7. Which financial bodies are part of this initiative?
Key participants include the RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, and IEPFA, along with major banks, insurance companies, and mutual fund institutions. Together, they are working to ensure citizens can reclaim their rightful funds easily and transparently.
8. What documents do I need to claim my unclaimed funds?
You generally need valid ID proof (like PAN, Aadhaar, or passport), proof of account ownership, and, if applicable, nominee or legal heir documents. Banks may also request claim forms and verification documents.
9. How can I avoid having my money classified as unclaimed in the future?
Keep your bank accounts active, update nominee details after major life events, regularly track all your financial investments, and ensure your contact and KYC details are always up to date.
10. Are there any risks or frauds I should be aware of?
Yes. Be cautious of individuals or websites offering to “recover” your unclaimed money for a fee. Only use official government portals like UDGAM or visit your bank directly. The government does not charge any money to reclaim your funds.
