HomeCirculars › RBI/2021-22/37

RBI cuts interest rate on unclaimed deposits to 3%

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-22/37 · issued 11 May 2021 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has reduced the interest rate payable on unclaimed interest-bearing deposits transferred to the DEA Fund to 3% simple interest per annum, effective May 11, 2021. Banks must apply this rate from that date onwards for all future claims.

What changed

The RBI reviewed and lowered the interest rate on unclaimed interest-bearing deposits transferred to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. Effective May 11, 2021, the rate is 3% simple interest per annum, down from the previous 3.5% that applied from July 1, 2018 to May 10, 2021.

What it means for you

Banks will now pay a lower interest rate (3%) on unclaimed deposits when depositors or claimants come forward. This reduces the cost for banks on funds held in the DEA Fund, but also means depositors receive less compensation for delayed claims. The change aligns with the RBI's periodic review of these rates.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

All Scheduled Commercial Banks (including RRBs), Local Area Banks (LABs), Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks, Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

What is the new interest rate on unclaimed deposits transferred to the DEA Fund?

Effective May 11, 2021, the rate is 3% simple interest per annum, reduced from the earlier 3.5%.

How should banks calculate interest for claims made after May 11, 2021?

Use 4% p.a. for the period up to June 30, 2018, 3.5% from July 1, 2018 to May 10, 2021, and 3% from May 11, 2021 until the date of payment.

Does this circular change any other aspects of the DEA Fund scheme?

No, only the interest rate has been revised. All other provisions of the June 26, 2014 circular remain unchanged.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #307: DoR.DEA.REC.No.16/30.01.002/2021-22 — "Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Section 26A Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014 - Interest Rates Payable ”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2021-22/37 DoR.DEA.REC.No.16/30.01.002/2021-22 May 11, 2021 The Managing Director & CEO/ Chief Executive Officers All Scheduled Commercial Banks (including RRBs) Local Area Banks (LABs) Urban Co-operative Banks / State Co-operative Banks / District Central Co-operative Banks/ Small Finance Banks/Payments Banks Dear Sir/Madam, Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – Section 26A Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014 – Interest rates payable on unclaimed interest bearing deposit Please refer to circulars DBOD.No.DEAF Cell.BC.126/30.01.002/2013-14 dated June 26, 2014 and DBR.DEA Fund Cell.BC.No.110/30.01.002/2017-18 dated June 07, 2018 wherein RBI had specified the rates of interest payable by banks to the depositors on the unclaimed interest bearing deposit amount transferred to the DEA Fund. 2. The rate of interest has since been reviewed and it has been decided that the rate of interest payable by banks to the depositors/claimants on the unclaimed interest bearing deposit amount transferred to the Fund shall be 3 per cent simple interest per annum with effect from the date of this circular. 3. Accordingly, all the banks are advised to calculate the interest payable on interest bearing deposits transferred to RBI at the rate of 4 per cent p.a. up to June 30, 2018, 3.5 per cent w.e.f. July 1, 2018 up to May 10, 2021 and at 3 per cent with effect from May 11, 2021 till the time of payment to the depositor/claimant. 4. The other contents of the circular dated June 26, 2014 remain unchanged. Yours faithfully, (Thomas Mathew) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-22/37 · issued 11 May 2021. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12091&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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