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11 Nov 2025

SBI Minimum Balance — Updated Account Balance Rules & Charges

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Dev holds a Basic Savings Account with ₹10,000. There is no minimum balance requirement for his account; thus, his account will not be charged even in the case of it running out to zero.

 

  • Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA) has no minimum balance rule.
     
  • It’s perfect for people who want a simple account without extra charges.
     

Minimum Balance Rules for SBI Accounts (Examples)
 

Account Type

Minimum Balance

Penalty if Not Maintained

Basic Savings (BSBDA)

NIL

No penalty

Regular Savings Account

₹3,000 (urban)

₹10 + GST per month

Savings (Rural Branch)

₹1,000

₹10 + GST per month

 

  • Dev’s Basic Savings Account is safe because it has no minimum balance rule.
     
  • Other accounts may charge fees if the balance falls below the limit.

 

(Numbers are approximate; check SBI’s latest rules for updates.)

 

What is Minimum Balance?

 

  • Minimum Balance is the least amount of money you must keep in your bank account to avoid extra charges.
     
  • If your balance goes below this limit, the bank may charge a penalty.
     
  • Some accounts, like Basic Savings Accounts, have no minimum balance rule.

 

Example: Dev’s Bank Account
 

  • Dev has a Basic Savings Account with ₹10,000.
     
  • His account type has no minimum balance requirement, so even if his balance drops to ₹0, he won’t be fined.
     
  • If Dev had a Regular Savings Account, he would need to keep at least ₹3,000 (in cities) or ₹1,000 (in rural areas) to avoid penalties.


Minimum Balance Rules in SBI (Example)
 

Account Type

Minimum Balance Required

Penalty if Not Maintained

Basic Savings (BSBDA)

NIL (No minimum)

No penalty

Regular Savings (Urban)

₹3,000

₹10 + GST per month

Regular Savings (Rural)

₹1,000

₹10 + GST per month

 

Key Points
 

  • Always check your account type to know the minimum balance rule.
     
  • Basic accounts are good if you don’t want to worry about penalties.
     
  • Penalties are small but can add up over time.

 

(Rules may vary; check with your bank for exact details.)

 

SBI Bank Minimum Balance Requirement by Account Type

 

  • The minimum balance is the lowest amount you must keep in your account to avoid extra fees.
     
  • Different accounts have different rules – some have no minimum balance, while others require a fixed amount.

 

Example: Dev’s Account
 

  • Dev has a Basic Savings Account (BSBDA) with ₹10,000.
     
  • His account has no minimum balance rule, so even if his balance falls to ₹0, he won’t be charged.
     
  • If Dev had a Regular Savings Account, he would need to keep ₹3,000 (city) or ₹1,000 (village) to avoid penalties.

 

SBI Minimum Balance Rules (Common Accounts)
 

Account Type

Minimum Balance Needed

Penalty if Below Limit

Basic Savings (BSBDA)

None (₹0 allowed)

No charge

Regular Savings (Urban)

₹3,000

₹10 + GST per month

Regular Savings (Rural)

₹1,000

₹10 + GST per month

Salary Account

None (if active salary credit)

No charge


Important Notes:

 

  • Basic Savings Accounts are best if you don’t want minimum balance rules.
     
  • Regular accounts charge small fines if the balance drops below the limit.
     
  • Salary accounts usually have no minimum balance if the salary is credited monthly.

 

(Check with SBI for the latest updates, as rules may change.)

 

SBI Bank Non-Maintenance Charges Explained Simply

 

  • Non-maintenance charge is a penalty fee when your account balance falls below the required minimum.
     
  • The charge applies monthly until your balance meets the minimum requirement again.

 

Example: Dev's Experience
 

  • Dev has a Regular Savings Account in Mumbai (urban).
     
  • His bank requires ₹3,000 as the minimum balance.
     
  • One month, Dev's balance drops to ₹2,500 (₹500 below the limit).
     
  • SBI charges him ₹10 + GST (total ₹11.80) as a penalty that month.

 

SBI Non-Maintenance Charges by Account Type
 

Account Type

Minimum Balance

Charge Per Month

Basic Savings (BSBDA)

None

No charge

Urban Regular Savings

₹3,000

₹10 + GST

Rural Regular Savings

₹1,000

₹10 + GST

Salary Account

None

No charge

 

*If salary is credited monthly

 

Key Points to Remember:

 

  1. Basic accounts never charge this fee.
     
  2. Regular accounts charge about ₹11.80 per month (₹10 + 18% GST).
     
  3. The charge applies every month your balance stays below the limit.
     
  4. Check your account type to know your minimum balance rule.

 

Tip: Keep a little extra money than the minimum to avoid these charges completely.

 

How to Check Your Monthly Average Balance in SBI Bank

 

  • The Monthly Average Balance (MAB) is the average amount you keep in your account each day over a month.
     
  • SBI calculates it by adding your daily balances and dividing by the number of days in the month.
     
  • You need to maintain this average to avoid non-maintenance charges.

 

Example: Dev's Account
 

  • Dev has a Regular Savings Account requiring ₹3,000 MAB.
     
  • In April (30 days), his total daily balances add up to ₹90,000.
     
  • His MAB = ₹90,000 ÷ 30 = ₹3,000 (meets requirement).
     
  • If his total was ₹75,000, MAB would be ₹2,500 (below the limit, the penalty applies).

 

Ways to Check Your MAB in SBI
 

  • Internet Banking:
     
    • Log in to SBI Online
       
    • Go to "Accounts" > "Account Summary"
       
    • View "Monthly Average Balance" details
       
  • Mobile App (YONO SBI):
     
    • Open the app and select your account
       
    • Check under "Account Details" or "Statement"
       
  • SMS Alert:
    • Some accounts get a monthly SMS with balance details
       
  • Bank Statement:
     
    • Your monthly e-statement shows an average balance
       
  • Branch Visit:
     
    • Ask the staff to check your MAB at any SBI branch

 

How to Avoid Minimum Balance Penalties

 

  • Choose a Basic Savings Account (like Dev did): no minimum balance needed.
     
  • Keep extra money: if your limit is ₹3,000, maintain ₹3,500.
     
  • Use mobile alerts: get notified when the balance is low.
     
  • Link another account: auto-transfer if funds run low.
     
  • Switch to a salary account: no minimum if the salary is deposited monthly.
     
  • Check balance weekly: prevents last-minute surprises.

 

Dev keeps ₹4,000 in his account (₹1,000 above the limit) to stay safe.

Conclusion 

 

It is very easy to maintain the minimum balance in your SBI of a certain minimum balance by to a few rules. Take the example of Dev, he took a Basic Savings Account, which does not require a minimum balance at all, thus he never has problems with fees. In the regular accounts, he maintains a slight additional amount of money only - ₹500-1000 over and above the required amount as a cushion. 

 

Dev is also checking his balance once a week, and he has the SMS bank alerts. These minor vices aid him in evading any charges altogether. Whenever you need to save money, remember that it is the simplest thing to avoid extra charges: check the kind of account you have and monitor your balance. 

 

So, whether, like Dev, you have a basic account or you are a regular saver with an everyday savings account, keeping in touch and up-to-date maintains your banking pleasant with no penalty.

FAQs: SBI Bank Minimum Balance

 

What is the minimum balance in SBI?

The minimum balance is the least amount you must keep in your account. If your money goes below this limit, the bank charges a penalty.

 

How much is SBI’s minimum balance?

It depends on your account. Basic Savings Accounts have no minimum balance requirement, while regular savings accounts require a minimum balance of ₹3,000 (urban) or ₹1,000 (rural).

 

What if I don’t maintain a minimum balance?

SBI charges ₹10 + GST every month until your balance meets the requirement again.

 

Is there any account with no minimum balance?

Yes, the Basic Savings Account (BSBDA) has no minimum balance rule.

 

How is the minimum balance calculated?

SBI checks your average daily balance for the month. Add up each day’s balance and divide by the days in the month.

 

Can I convert my regular account to a zero-balance account?

No, but you can open a new Basic Savings Account if you qualify.

 

Do salary accounts have a minimum balance?

No, if your salary is credited monthly. Otherwise, rules apply like regular accounts.

 

How can I check my minimum balance?

Use SBI internet banking, YONO app, SMS alerts, or visit a branch.

 

What’s the penalty for not keeping a minimum balance?

₹10 + GST per month for regular savings accounts. Basic accounts have no penalty.

 

How to avoid minimum balance charges?

Keep extra money, use balance alerts, or switch to a Basic Savings Account.
 

Other Related Pages

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Ujjivan Bank Minimum Balance

Indian Overseas Bank Minimum Balance

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Federal Bank Minimum Balance

 

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‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.

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