CHANDIGARH | October 23, 2026: Residents who have forgotten an old bank account, unclaimed fixed deposit or other financial asset are being encouraged to check their records as part of the “Your Money, Your Right” awareness drive. A programme held in Chandigarh on Friday brought together banking officials, representatives of the Reserve Bank of India and NABARD, Bank Mitras and members of the public.
The event was held under the Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign of the Department of Financial Services, Union Ministry of Finance. The local Chandigarh Administration announcement states that the campaign runs from October 21 to December 31, 2026 and aims to increase awareness of financial services and help people identify and reclaim unclaimed money.
Featured photo: Chandigarh Administration financial-inclusion programme, October 23, 2026, via India News Calling.
What is the Your Money, Your Right campaign in Chandigarh?
The campaign is a public outreach effort to make citizens aware of unclaimed financial assets and of existing financial protections and government-linked schemes. At the Chandigarh programme, Nidhi Bhargava, General Manager, Punjab National Bank, urged people to review old accounts and deposits, check bank nominations and ensure their Know Your Customer (KYC) records are current.
Her remarks also covered participation in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY). Scheme eligibility and terms depend on the specific programme; attending an awareness camp does not automatically enrol someone.
How to find unclaimed bank deposits using the RBI UDGAM portal
A practical focus of the Chandigarh event was the Reserve Bank of India’s UDGAM service: Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation. It allows users to search records of unclaimed deposits across participating banks from one portal. RBI’s guidance explains that this is a search service, not an online refund-payment service.
- Open RBI’s official portal: udgam.rbi.org.in. Use the official RBI address, not a link in an unsolicited text message.
- Register for a search: RBI’s guidance describes registering with a name and mobile number before searching.
- Enter available account details: Search by account-holder name and participating bank, using relevant identifying information requested by the portal. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Record any match: Save the result or reference information provided for a potential unclaimed account.
- Contact the relevant bank: Follow that bank’s verification and claim process. The money is not paid out directly by UDGAM or RBI through the search screen.
RBI’s official UDGAM FAQs explain how the search works, what information may be needed and where claim settlement occurs. Participation by banks may change over time, so readers should use the live portal for the current list rather than assume every bank is covered.
What types of unclaimed money should residents review?
The Chandigarh campaign also encouraged people to review old savings accounts, recurring and fixed deposits, insurance policies and other forgotten financial assets. It is important to distinguish the services used to check these: the RBI UDGAM portal deals with eligible unclaimed bank deposits in participating banks. It is not a universal search engine for insurance, pensions, investments or every government benefit.
For insurance and other assets, start with the relevant regulated institution or its official customer-service and claims channel. People helping an elderly relative or dealing with a deceased family member’s finances should ask the bank about documentation, nominations and legal-heir requirements rather than hand account information to an unknown intermediary.
Chandigarh event highlights: PNB, RBI, NABARD and Bank Mitras
According to the October 23 event notice, attendees included Sanjeev Jha, Deputy General Manager, Chandigarh Circle; Simrandeep Singh, Local Development Officer at the RBI; Ashwini Kumar, District Development Manager at NABARD; as well as senior bank representatives and Bank Mitras.
The message to banks and customer-service agents was to make the drive useful at the community level, helping eligible people understand available schemes, update essential details and locate old financial assets where possible. The release does not provide a Chandigarh-wide total for accounts found or amounts recovered during this event, so no recovery figure is being claimed here.
How to avoid fraud while searching for old deposits
- Use only the RBI UDGAM domain and your bank’s official channels.
- Never disclose an OTP, online-banking password, UPI PIN or card PIN to someone offering to “release” unclaimed money.
- Do not install remote-access apps or APK files at the request of unknown callers claiming to represent a bank.
- Check bank KYC and account nominations through verified channels, not links shared in unsolicited messages.
- If a search reveals a possible deposit, approach the relevant bank for the official claim process.
Why the campaign matters across Chandigarh and Tricity
Households may have moved cities, changed mobile numbers or lost track of accounts opened years earlier. Basic record reviews and accurate nominations can help families avoid confusion later. For readers in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, the local event is a reminder that searching for old deposits starts with a free official information portal, not an agent demanding payment.
For further local public-service reporting, see the Speedy Clicks News Room’s coverage of rooftop solar access for Chandigarh Housing Board homes and Chandigarh’s doorstep e-waste collection initiative.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Your Money, Your Right campaign?
It is a financial-awareness initiative that encourages citizens to check for unclaimed financial assets and learn about official banking and financial inclusion services.
What is the campaign period announced in Chandigarh?
October 21 to December 31, 2026, according to the Chandigarh Administration notice dated October 23.
Does the RBI UDGAM website pay unclaimed money directly?
No. The RBI says it helps search for unclaimed bank deposits; claims must be settled with the bank concerned.
Can the UDGAM portal find forgotten insurance policies?
Not as a general insurance-policy search. UDGAM covers unclaimed bank-deposit records of participating banks. Ask the relevant insurer about any insurance claim.
Is an unknown caller allowed to ask for my OTP to release an unclaimed deposit?
No. Do not share OTPs, passwords or PINs with unsolicited callers or messages.
Sources: Chandigarh Administration’s financial inclusion programme announcement, October 23, 2026, via India News Calling; RBI announcement of the UDGAM service; RBI UDGAM frequently asked questions. This article is independently written and distinguishes the city campaign from the RBI’s ongoing national deposit-search service.