SBI ATM Rules From October 2026: Free Limit, Charges And BSBD Changes

Updated October 2026. Bank charges and free limits can be revised, so confirm the figures on the official SBI website or with your branch before you rely on them.

SBI ATM Rules From 1 October 2026: What Changed?

State Bank of India has changed how many free ATM transactions some customers get, and it has set a charge for extra cash withdrawals on one type of basic account. Both changes took effect on 1 October 2026. Most customers are not affected, but if you hold a salary account or a basic savings account, read the details below.

At a Glance

Salary Package Account holders: free transactions at other banks' ATMs are now 5 a month, down from 10.
Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts: the first 4 cash withdrawals a month stay free, and extra withdrawals carry a fee.
Other regular accounts: no change has been reported.
SBI's own ATMs: salary account holders still get free transactions.

Change 1: Fewer Free Transactions at Other Banks' ATMs (Salary Accounts)

If you have an SBI Salary Package Account and use your SBI debit card at another bank's ATM, you now get 5 free transactions a month. Earlier, the limit was 10.

After the fifth transaction, reported charges are:

₹23 plus GST for each financial transaction, such as a cash withdrawal.
₹11 plus GST for each non-financial transaction, such as a balance enquiry or a mini statement.

Both cash withdrawals and non-cash services such as balance enquiries count toward the free limit. So checking your balance twice and withdrawing cash three times at another bank's ATM already uses up all five.

What did not change: using SBI's own ATMs with a salary account is still free, as reported.

Change 2: Extra Cash Withdrawals on BSBD Accounts

A Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account is the no-frills account many people open with minimal paperwork. For these accounts:

The first 4 cash withdrawals each month are free.
From the fifth withdrawal, a reported fee of ₹15 plus GST applies to each one.
Cash withdrawals made through the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) count toward the 4 free withdrawals.
Digital transactions such as UPI remain free.

A Simple Example

Suppose you hold an SBI salary account and, in one month, use another bank's ATM eight times, all for cash withdrawals. The first five are free. The last three each cost ₹23 plus GST, so you pay roughly ₹69 plus GST for the month. If you had spread those withdrawals over fewer, larger visits or used an SBI ATM, you would have paid nothing.

How to Avoid ATM Charges

Prefer SBI ATMs for cash and balance checks. Use the branch finder to look up SBI branches near you.
Check your balance in the app. SBI YONO, SMS banking and net banking do not count as ATM transactions.
Withdraw larger amounts less often, instead of taking small amounts several times.
Pay with UPI or card where you can, instead of withdrawing cash first.
Track your count. Keep a note of how many times you have used other banks' ATMs this month.

Who Is Not Affected?

Customers with regular savings accounts have not been reported to face any change in ATM rules under this update. If you are not sure which account type you hold, check your passbook, the account details in your banking app, or ask your branch. Your account type decides which free limit applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many free ATM transactions do SBI salary account holders get now?

At other banks' ATMs, 5 free transactions a month from 1 October 2026, down from 10. At SBI's own ATMs, salary account holders still get free transactions, as reported.

What is the charge after the free limit?

Reported charges are ₹23 plus GST for a financial transaction and ₹11 plus GST for a non-financial transaction. Check SBI's official schedule for the final figures.

Does a balance enquiry count as a transaction?

Yes. At other banks' ATMs, non-financial services such as balance enquiries and mini statements count toward the monthly free limit.

Do UPI payments have ATM charges?

No. UPI payments are not ATM transactions, and digital transactions on BSBD accounts remain free.

How many free withdrawals do BSBD account holders get?

Four cash withdrawals a month are free. From the fifth, a fee of ₹15 plus GST per withdrawal is reported, and AePS cash withdrawals count toward the four.

Where can I check the latest SBI charges?

Visit the official SBI website, use SBI's customer care, or ask at your home branch. Banks can revise their charges, so always confirm the current schedule.

This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Charges mentioned are as reported at the time of writing.