For customers in India that wish to open a savings account and do not want to go through the hassle of maintaining a minimum balance, they can opt for a zero balance savings account. As the name suggests, those opening or holding a zero-balance savings account do not have to maintain a minimum balance. For those who do not know, the minimum balance value does not mean that money has to lie idle in the account for the whole month to meet the requirement, as the minimum average balance is calculated on the average balance in the account at the end of the day of each month and divided by the total number of days in the month. That said, for customers that wish to open a zero-balance savings account, they can contact any of the below listed banks that offer the most suitable and beneficial zero-balance accounts in the country.
Update on debit card transactions due to the coronavirus pandemic
The Finance Minister announced an update on debit card transactions as part of the economic measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These updates are as follows:
- Debit card holders can now withdraw cash from ATMs of any bank anywhere in the country, without incurring any additional transaction charges, for the next 3 months.
- Bank accounts will not charge any penalty for non-maintenance of the minimum balance requirement for the next 3 months.
- There will be a reduction in bank charges for digital trade transactions.
Table of Contents
Top Zero-Balance Savings Account for Indian Citizens
Bank | Features |
ICICI Zero Balance Account |
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HDFC Zero Balance Account |
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SBI Zero Balance Account |
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Axis Zero Balance Account |
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Indusind Zero Balance Account |
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IDFC Zero Balance Account |
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RBL Zero Balance Account: |
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Standard Chartered Zero Balance Account |
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Kotak Mahindra Zero Balance Account(Kotak 811) |
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Check out Top Bank Savings Account Interest Rates
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY) Zero-Balance Savings Account
Apart from the basic savings account or zero-balance savings account rolled out by banks across the country, customers can even open a zero-balance savings account under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (P.M.J.D.Y) scheme. Initiated by the Modi-led Government in 2014, the scheme offers financial access to those across the country and for those who do not have any - especially in the rural areas. Customers do not need any KYC documents to open an account under this scheme, only their signature and fingerprint will suffice as eligibility for the scheme.
Features and Benefit of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (P.M.J.D.Y)
Some of the features and benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (P.M.J.D.Y) are listed below:
- No minimum required balance.
- Customers are eligible for accident insurance cover of Rs.1 lakh.
- If customers have subscribed to Government schemes or subsidies, they can avail for the direct benefit transfer through this account.
- After completion of 6 months of holding the account, customers can avail the overdraft facility.
- Free RuPay debit card when opening the account.
- No charges for a using an ATM debit card.
- Free passbook and cheque book when opening the account.
- Free net banking facilities.
- Can be used as a salary account as well.
- No cash deposit transaction fees.
- Free NEFT and RTGS facilities.
- Locker facilities available.
Latest Interest Rate for Zero Balance Savings Account
Bank | Name of zero-balance savings account | Interest rate |
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IndusInd Bank | Indus Small Savings Account | 4% to 6% |
IDFC Bank | Pratham–savings account (BSBDA) | 6% to 7% |
RBL Bank | Digital Savings Account | 5% to 6.75% |
Kotak Mahindra Bank | 811 | 4% to 6% |
Standard Chartered Bank | Basic Banking Account | 0.5% to 4.90% |
HDFC Bank | Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account | 3.50% to 4% |
Axis Bank | Basic Savings Account | 3.50% to 4% |
ICICI Bank | Basic Savings Account | 3.50% to 4% |
State Bank of India | Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account | 3% to 3.25% |
FAQs on Zero Balance Savings Account
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Is it possible to open a joint basic savings account?
Yes, it is possible to open a joint basic savings account. For this, the second-party has to be related to the primary account holder and both have to be present when opening the account.
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What is the initial deposit that I have to make to the bank when opening a zero-balance savings account?
Since the zero-balance savings account is a basic savings account, it has no monthly average balance requirement. An initial deposit in a savings account has to be made only if there is a minimum balance requirement, and as this has no minimum average balance requirement no initial deposit has to be made. In short, a zero-balance savings account can be opened for free.
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How can I access by zero-balance savings account to either check my balance, make a withdrawal and so on? Can I do this only at a bank?
No, you can access your zero-balance savings account via the internet and phone banking facilities, at an ATM and at the bank if required.
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Is there a difference between the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (P.M.J.D.Y) zero-balance savings account and the one offered by bank?
While the nature of the zero-balance savings account is the same, customers subscriber to the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (P.M.J.D.Y) are eligible to opt for Government subsidies and other such benefits offered by the Government of India.
- Is it possible to make a nomination for this zero-balance savings account?
- The nominee should share a relationship with the second party - either parent, spouse, sibling, etc.
- In case of a minor, only a person legally bound to the minor can make a nomination for the account.
- Applicants need to fill in the Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules 1985 form to make a nomination.
Yes, it is possible to make a nomination for a zero-balance savings account. But, based on a few conditions:
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