Bank Rules : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced new rules that will come into effect from November 20, 2025, under which certain types of bank accounts will be closed or restricted. The aim of these rules is to make the banking system more secure, transparent, and user-friendly. A key highlight is that account holders will now be allowed to add multiple nominees—up to four—in their bank accounts, ensuring faster and simpler fund claims by family members in the future.
These new rules will mainly affect accounts that have been inactive or dormant for a long time, or accounts with a zero balance. Under the new regulations, bank accounts that have had no transactions for several years will be closed or restricted. The objective behind this move is to prevent fraud and misuse of such accounts.
With the new system, customers will need to pay more attention to the status of their accounts. If they want their account to remain active, it will be necessary to carry out small transactions periodically. Additionally, account holders can now add up to four nominees, making future financial planning easier for families.
RBI’s New Bank Rules Effective from 20 November 2025
According to the Reserve Bank of India, these new rules are designed in line with global banking standards and to enhance customer service. The main changes include:
- Three types of bank accounts will be closed: Dormant, Inactive, and Zero Balance Accounts.
- Up to four nominees can now be added to a single bank account (previously only one nominee was allowed).
- Nomination will be available in Simultaneous and Successive formats.
- New rules will also apply to safe deposit lockers and safe custody articles.
Three Types of Bank Accounts That Will Be Closed
| Account Type | Reason for Closure |
|---|---|
| Dormant Account | No transaction for 2 years |
| Inactive Account | No customer-initiated transaction for 12 months |
| Zero Balance Account | No transactions for a long period after account opening |
RBI states that accounts with no transactions for an extended period are vulnerable to fraud or misuse. Therefore, closing such accounts will ensure a safer banking environment.
What Are RBI’s New Nomination Rules?
Effective from 20 November 2025:
- Customers can add up to four nominees for bank accounts, fixed deposits, lockers, and safe custody items.
- This will simplify the claim process for family members.
- There will be two types of nomination options:
- Simultaneous Nomination – All nominees get a share.
- Successive Nomination – One nominee becomes eligible after the other.RBI’s New Guideline on 500 Rupees Note, Know the Complete Information
Benefits of the New Rules
- Increased transparency in banking transactions and nomination.
- Faster settlement of funds of deceased account holders.
- Enhanced security for old inactive accounts.
- Reduction in banking fraud.
- Customers become more aware and responsible toward account maintenance.
Summary of RBI’s Bank Account Rules 2025
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | 20 November 2025 |
| Affected Accounts | Dormant, Inactive, Zero Balance Accounts |
| Maximum Nominees Allowed | 4 |
| Nomination Types | Simultaneous & Successive |
| Objective | Customer safety, transparency, faster claim process |
| Customer Responsibility | Activate inactive accounts and update nomination |
| Bank Responsibility | Monitor accounts and send timely alerts |
What Should Account Holders Do?
- Check account activity before November 2025.
- If the account is inactive, perform small transactions to activate it.
- Contact the bank to add up to four nominees.
- Close zero balance accounts that you no longer use.
- Keep contact details and KYC updated to receive notifications.
RBI’s new rules are a major step toward making the banking system more transparent and secure. All account holders should regularly check their accounts and comply with the new guidelines to avoid inconvenience.