State Bank of India has revised the service-charge rules for customers using its Basic Savings Bank Deposit account. The change applies to cash withdrawals through the branch channel and will take effect from October 1, 2026.

Under the updated rule, the first four withdrawals in a month will remain free. Each additional cash withdrawal will attract a charge of Rs 15 plus GST. The calculation will also include digital transactions, ending their earlier exclusion from the monthly free-transaction limit.

What is changing

Previously, transactions beyond the first four free transactions were charged Rs 15 plus GST per transaction, while digital transactions were not counted towards that limit. SBI’s revision removes this distinction, so the four-transaction allowance will be assessed without excluding digital activity.

The monthly withdrawal limit covers several channels. Customers should therefore consider transactions made at branches, ATMs and through AEPS when tracking the free allowance.

  • Cash withdrawals at SBI ATMs
  • Cash withdrawals at other banks’ ATMs
  • Withdrawals through the branch channel
  • AEPS cash transactions

Features of the BSBD account

The Basic Savings Bank Deposit account is intended primarily for poor sections of society and is designed to support saving without a burden of charges or fees. SBI does not require customers to maintain a minimum balance in this account.

The account does not offer a cheque book facility. Withdrawals may be made using a withdrawal form at a branch or through ATMs. Account holders receive a basic RuPay ATM-cum-debit card.

The card is issued free of cost, and SBI does not apply an annual maintenance charge to it. Electronic credits through payment systems such as NEFT and RTGS are also free for BSBD account holders.

Eligibility and other free services

A customer opening an SBI BSBD account cannot hold another savings bank account. If the customer already has one, it must be closed within 30 days of opening the Basic Savings Bank Deposit account.

SBI also lists other services without charges for these account holders. Deposits or collections involving cheques drawn by the central or state government are free, and no charge is applied for activating an inoperative account. Account closure charges, however, apply.