How to Open a Zero Balance Savings Account in Any Bank in India

How to Open a Zero Balance Savings Account in Any Bank in India

Who needs this service?

• Students & Youth: Looking for a bank account without the burden of maintaining a Minimum Average Balance (MAB).

• Salaried Employees: Changing jobs or need a secondary account for expenses.

• Low-Income Households: Eligible for government benefits (DBT) via Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

• Senior Citizens: Preferring a no-frills account for pension credits.

• Anyone: Who wants a basic banking facility without penalty charges for low balance.

Required Documents

You must have the following Original Documents ready (scanned for online, physical copies for offline):

• Identity Proof (Any one): Aadhaar Card (Linked with Mobile Number), Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License.

• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Utility Bill (Electricity/Gas/Water – not older than 3 months), or Voter ID.

• PAN Card: Original Physical PAN Card is mandatory for Video KYC. (If you don’t have PAN, you must fill Form 60, but this is often only possible offline).

• Photographs: 2 recent passport-size colour photos (white background).

• Active Mobile Number: Must be the same number linked to your Aadhaar for OTP verification.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

Most major banks (SBI, HDFC, Kotak, ICICI, etc.) now use Video KYC to open accounts instantly without a branch visit. The process below is standard across these banks.

1. Choose Your Account Type:

• Option A: BSBDA (Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account): Mandated by RBI. Available at all banks. Zero balance, but limits you to 4 withdrawals per month.

• Option B: Digital Savings Account: (e.g., SBI Insta Plus, Kotak 811). Often zero balance but may have charges for a physical debit card.

2. Official Registration (Example: SBI YONO / General Video KYC Flow)

1. Go to Official Portal: Visit the bank’s official website or download their official app (e.g., SBI YONO or Kotak 811).

2. Select Account: Click on “Open Savings Account” > “New to Bank” > “Without Branch Visit”.

3. Aadhaar Verification:

   • Enter your Mobile Number and Email.

   • Enter your Aadhaar Number / PAN Number.

   • OTP Step: You will receive a 6-digit OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile. Enter it to authorize e-KYC.

4. Personal Details:

   • The system will auto-fetch your Name, Address, and DOB from Aadhaar.

   • Enter missing details: Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Nominee details (Important), and Branch preference.

5. Video KYC Schedule:

   • You will be asked to “Start Video Call Now” or “Schedule for Later”.

   • Pro Tip: Do this during banking hours (10 AM – 5 PM) for best connectivity.

3. The Video KYC Call (Crucial Step)

• Connect: An official bank agent will join the video call.

• Verification: You must hold up your Original PAN Card next to your face.

• Signature: You will be asked to sign on a blank white paper with a blue/black pen while the camera records it.

• Photo: The agent will capture a live photo of your face.

• Completion: Once verified, your account is activated instantly or within 24 hours. You will receive your Account Number and IFSC via SMS.

Offline Process (Branch Visit)

Use this if your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar or if you want a Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account.

1. Locate Branch: Visit the nearest branch of any Public Sector Bank (SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, etc.) or authorized Bank Mitra (Business Correspondent).

2. Ask for the Correct Form:

   • Ask specifically for the “BSBDA Account Opening Form” or “Jan Dhan (PMJDY) Form”. Do not just ask for a “Savings Account,” as they may give you a form for a standard account requiring a ₹1000-₹3000 deposit.

3. Fill Details:

   • Name, Address, Occupation, Annual Income.

   • Tick “Rupay Debit Card” to ensure you get the free card.

4. Submit KYC: Attach self-attested copies of Aadhaar and PAN. Paste your photos.

5. Biometric Verification: The officer will ask for your fingerprint on the biometric device to verify your Aadhaar.

6. Receive Passbook: You will typically receive the Passbook immediately. The Debit Card will be sent to your home address by post within 7-15 days.

How to Check Status / Track Application

• For Online Applications:

  • Re-login to the App: Open the bank app (e.g., YONO, Mobile Banking app) and select “Resume Application”.

  • Status Message: It will show “KYC Verified”, “Pending Authorization”, or “Rejected”.

  • SMS: Banks send status updates to your registered mobile number (e.g., “Your Account XXXXX is active”).

• For Offline (Branch/Jan Dhan):

  • There is no central online tracker for offline forms.

  • Action: Visit the branch or Bank Mitra where you submitted the form with your counterfoil/receipt.

  • PMJDY Portal: pmjdy.gov.in provides scheme details but does not track individual account applications.

Common Problems & Solutions

Official Helplines

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) National Toll-Free: 1800-11-0001 or 1800-180-1111

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Ombudsman (For unresolved complaints): cms.rbi.org.in or Call 14448

• State Bank of India (SBI): 1800-1234 / 1800-2100

• PNB (Punjab National Bank): 1800-180-2222

• Bank of Baroda: 1800-258-4455

Note: Never share your OTP, PIN, or CVV with any helpline agent. Official support will never ask for these details.

Quick Comparison: BSBDA vs. PMJDY

Next Step for You

Would you like me to find the specific “Savings Account Interest Rates” for the top 5 banks to help you decide which one to choose?

This information is from official sources (RBI, PMJDY, and respective Bank portals) as of January 2026. Always verify terms on the official banking portal before applying.