India / Banking

How to update KYC (re-KYC) in your bank account

Banks must refresh your KYC every 2 years if you are rated high risk, every 8 years for medium risk and every 10 years for low risk. If nothing has changed, RBI says a self-declaration is enough. Fresh documents are needed only when your details changed or the bank's papers are out of date.

Fee: No fee prescribed by RBI
Time: Self-declaration is instant to submit; when the bank updates its record varies
How: Online, at a branch, through a Bank Mitra or by video KYC

Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. See the 7 sources.

Not confirmed

These points could not be confirmed on an official page on 12 October 2026. Check them with the office or portal before you rely on them.

The name of the re-KYC form and the exact menu path in net banking or the app differ by bank and were not checked for any individual bank on 12 Oct 2026
RBI does not fix how many days a bank may take to update its record after you submit; only an acknowledgement and an intimation with the date of updation are required
Whether a particular bank offers re-KYC at any branch or insists on the home branch depends on its board approved policy; RBI says banks "may consider" any-branch updation, except for inoperative accounts where all branches must offer it
RBI's press release of 13 September 2021 cautioning against KYC updation frauds is referred to in the FAQ but was not opened separately

Quick answer

Check which of these three cases is yours:

Your situation	What RBI says the bank needs
Nothing has changed	Only a self-declaration that there is no change. No documents
Only your address changed	A self-declaration of the new address. The bank verifies it within two months. The bank may ask for an address proof only if its policy says so
Name, ID document or other details changed, or the papers the bank holds are expired or below current standards	Fresh KYC, like a new customer: Aadhaar or another officially valid document, plus PAN or Form 60

You can give the self-declaration through your registered email id, your registered mobile number, an ATM, net banking, the mobile app or a letter. You can also do it at a branch, through a Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra), by Aadhaar OTP e-KYC, or by video KYC where the bank offers it.

Who can apply

Every account holder falls due for periodic KYC updation. The gap depends on the risk category the bank has given you:

Risk category	Bank must update KYC at least once every
High	2 years
Medium	8 years
Low	10 years

The period runs from the date the account was opened or the date of the last KYC update. The bank is not required to tell you your risk category or its reasons. A bank's own policy can set a shorter gap.

Separately, you must update KYC without waiting for the due date when:

Any document you gave the bank has been updated or renewed, or your details in it have changed. You have to submit the updated document within 30 days.
You opened the account as a minor and have now turned 18. The bank takes a fresh photograph and makes sure the documents meet current standards.
Your account has become inoperative (no customer induced transaction for over two years) and you want it activated.

Documents you need

No change: none. Only the self-declaration.

Address change only: the self-declaration with the new address. If the bank's policy asks for proof, it can be an officially valid document or a deemed address proof.

Other changes or outdated papers:

One officially valid document (OVD): passport, driving licence, proof of possession of Aadhaar number, Voter ID card, NREGA job card signed by a State Government officer, or the National Population Register letter.
PAN, or Form No. 60 if you have no PAN. The bank verifies PAN with the issuing authority's database at the time of re-KYC.
For a name change: the OVD in the old name with a marriage certificate issued by the State Government or the Gazette notification.
A recent photograph only if the bank's policy requires it.

Deemed address proofs (when your OVD shows an old address): a utility bill not more than two months old, a property or municipal tax receipt, a pension payment order showing the address, or an accommodation allotment letter from a government body, PSU, bank or listed company. An OVD with the new address must follow within three months.

If you have a CKYC number (KYC Identifier), give it. The bank can pull your record from the Central KYC Records Registry instead of asking for the same papers again.

Steps

Online

Wait for, or look up, the re-KYC option in your bank's own net banking or mobile app. Type the bank's address yourself or use the installed app. Do not use a link from an SMS, email or WhatsApp message.
Review the details shown: name, address, ID, occupation and income details if displayed.
If everything is correct, submit the "no change" self-declaration. If only the address is different, enter the new address and submit.
If the bank offers it, you can instead complete re-KYC by Aadhaar OTP e-KYC. The Aadhaar linked mobile number must be the same as the number in the bank's records. You may declare a current address different from the Aadhaar address.
Or choose video KYC if the bank offers it for re-KYC. Keep your original PAN card and Aadhaar ready and stay in a well lit place.
Save the acknowledgement. The bank must give one showing the date it received your declaration or documents.

Other remote routes RBI permits for the self-declaration: an email from your registered email id, your registered mobile number, an ATM, or a signed letter to the branch.

In person

Go to your branch. RBI allows banks to accept re-KYC at any branch but leaves that to each bank's policy, so check first. For an inoperative account, every branch of the bank must offer KYC updation.
Ask for the re-KYC or KYC updation form. Tick "no change" or fill in what has changed.
Carry the original documents for the items that changed, with copies. Nothing is needed for items that did not change.
Collect the acknowledgement with the date.
A Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) of your bank can also take the self-declaration for "no change" or "address change only", after biometric e-KYC authentication, and must give you an acknowledgement.

Fees

RBI's Directions prescribe no fee for periodic KYC updation. Activation of an inoperative account must be free: RBI says no charges shall be levied for it.

How long it takes

Giving the self-declaration takes a few minutes.
For an address change by self-declaration, the bank has to verify the new address by positive confirmation within two months, for example by an address verification letter, contact point verification or a delivery to that address.
RBI sets no deadline for the bank to finish updating its record, but it must update promptly and then send you an intimation mentioning the date of updation.
A request to activate an inoperative account must be processed within three working days of the complete application.

How to check status

There is no central portal. Look for the bank's intimation by SMS, email or letter giving the date of KYC updation, check the KYC or profile section in net banking or the app, or ask the branch with your acknowledgement.

Common problems

Bank demands full documents though nothing changed. Point to paragraph 42 of RBI's KYC Directions: a self-declaration is sufficient when there is no change. The exception is when the documents the bank holds do not meet current standards or have expired, in which case fresh KYC is required.
Bank insists you come to the home branch, or bring a new photo. A bank can ask for physical presence, home branch only updation or a recent photograph only if that is written in its board approved KYC policy. Ask the branch to show the policy clause.
You live in another city. Use the digital self-declaration, Aadhaar OTP e-KYC or video KYC. For a new address, the self-declaration route does not need you to visit.
Account restricted without warning. Ask for the record of the three intimations and three reminders, which the bank must keep for audit, and file a written complaint.
Aadhaar OTP route fails. The mobile number linked to Aadhaar must match the number in the bank's profile. Update the mobile number at the bank first.
No acknowledgement given. Ask for it. RBI requires an acknowledgement with the date of receipt, and a later intimation with the date of updation.
Complaint not resolved. After 30 days, or if the reply is unsatisfactory, complain free of cost to the RBI Ombudsman on cms.rbi.org.in. The RBI contact centre is 14448.

Fraud warning: RBI specifically cautions the public to exercise utmost caution before clicking links in SMS or email about KYC updation, because they may be fraudulent. A message saying your account will be blocked today unless you click a link, call a number or install an app is a scam. Never share an OTP, PIN, CVV or net banking password, and never install a screen sharing or remote access app for "KYC". Banks do not need any of these to update KYC.

What the bank must do before it restricts your account

Notices: before the due date, at least three advance intimations, including at least one by letter. After the due date, at least three reminders, including at least one by letter. The letter should explain how to update, whom to contact for help, and what happens if you do not.
Low risk individuals: the bank must allow all transactions and complete the KYC update within one year of it falling due (the Directions also carried an outer date of 30 June 2026 for old cases, whichever was later).
If you still do not update: RBI's FAQ says the bank can close the account after giving due notice, under the Prevention of Money-Laundering rules.
PAN or Form 60 missing: the bank can temporarily stop operations in the account, but only after an accessible notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Banks must have relaxations for people who cannot provide PAN or Form 60 because of injury, illness or old age.
Rejection: a bank cannot reject a KYC update automatically. An authorised official has to review it and record the reason.

FAQ

How often do I have to update KYC in my bank?

At least once every 10 years if you are a low risk customer, every 8 years for medium risk and every 2 years for high risk, counted from account opening or the last update. A bank's policy may ask more often.

Can I do re-KYC online without going to the branch?

Yes. When nothing has changed, or only the address has changed, RBI allows a self-declaration through registered email, registered mobile number, ATM, net banking or mobile app. Aadhaar OTP e-KYC and video KYC are also permitted where the bank offers them.

What documents are needed for re-KYC if nothing changed?

None. A self-declaration of no change is enough, unless the documents the bank already holds are expired or below the current standard.

How do I change my address in the bank account?

Give a self-declaration of the new address through any of the permitted channels. The bank verifies it within two months. It may ask for an address proof only if its policy specifies that.

Will my account be frozen if I miss the KYC date?

Not at once for low risk individuals: the bank must allow all transactions and get the KYC updated within one year of the due date. If you ignore the notices and reminders, the bank can close the account after due notice.

Can I update KYC at any branch?

RBI lets banks offer this, but it depends on each bank's policy. For reactivating an inoperative account, all branches including non-home branches must provide it.

I got an SMS with a link to update KYC. Is it real?

Treat it as suspicious. RBI warns against clicking such links. Open your bank's app or site yourself, or visit the branch.

Is Aadhaar compulsory for re-KYC?

No. Aadhaar is one of several officially valid documents. It is mandatory only if you receive a government benefit or subsidy in the account.

Does the bank have to tell me my risk category?

No. RBI's FAQ says the risk category and the reasons for it need not be disclosed to the customer.

Official links

Sources

Every fee, time limit, form and address above was read on these official pages on 12 October 2026.

RBI, Commercial Banks Know Your Customer Directions, 2025 (updated as on 1 October 2026) Supports Paragraph 42 on updation and periodic updation of KYC (2, 8 and 10 year periodicity; low risk individuals allowed to transact with one year or 30 June 2026 grace; self-declaration for no change and for address change; positive confirmation within two months; optional address proof; Business Correspondent route; minors turning major; Aadhaar OTP e-KYC for re-KYC; documents as per current standards; PAN verification; acknowledgement and intimation; any branch facility; extra measures only if in the bank's policy; 30 day duty to report changed documents; three advance intimations and three reminders); paragraph 43 on PAN or Form 60; officially valid documents and deemed address proofs; paragraph 18 on rejection only after application of mind
RBI, FAQs on Master Direction on KYC Supports Why banks ask for re-KYC and the periodicity (Q22); risk category need not be disclosed (Q23); modes of periodic updation (Q24); documents by mode (Q25); acknowledgement (Q26); notices (Q27); account closure after due notice if KYC is not updated (Q28); caution about links in KYC SMS and email (Q29); 30 days to submit changed documents (Q32); rejection not to be automated (Q34); inoperative accounts and KYC at home or non-home branch or by V-CIP (Q36 and Q37)
RBI, Commercial Banks Responsible Business Conduct Directions, 2025 (PDF, updated as on 1 October 2026) Supports KYC updation for activating inoperative accounts at all branches including non-home branches and by V-CIP (paragraph 204); activation request processed within three working days (paragraph 207); no charge for activation (paragraph 210)
RBI, FAQs on the Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026 Supports Complaint to the RBI Ombudsman after 30 days; cms.rbi.org.in; contact centre 14448
RBI, Commercial Banks Responsible Business Conduct Directions, 2025 (page, updated as on 1 October 2026) Supports Landing page showing the Directions as updated on 1 October 2026 and linking to the PDF
RBI, Complaint Management System portal Supports Portal for complaints under the Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026; contact centre 14448
Central KYC Records Registry Supports The CKYCR portal named in RBI's KYC FAQ as the place to look up a KYC Identifier (site opened, contents not relied on)

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