State Bank of India (SBI) is tightening the number of free ATM transactions available to salary account holders when they use other banks’ ATMs. From October 1, customers will get only five free transactions a month, down from the existing 10.
The revised limit applies to both financial and non-financial transactions at other banks’ ATMs and Automated Deposit cum Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs). The charges applicable after the free limit is exhausted, however, will remain unchanged.
The change means customers who frequently use non-SBI ATMs could see higher banking costs from next month.
From October 1, 2026:
The monthly free ATM transaction limit at other banks’ ATMs will fall from 10 to five
The five-transaction limit will apply across all centres
Both financial and non-financial transactions will count towards the limit
The change applies to transactions at other banks’ ATMs and ADWMs
Charges after the free limit is exhausted will remain unchanged
Once the five free transactions are used up, SBI salary account holders will have to pay:
Cash withdrawal: ₹23 + GST per transaction
Non-financial transaction: ₹11 + GST per transaction
These charges have been in force since December 1, 2025.
The revised limit does not affect the existing monthly free transaction limit for customers using SBI ATMs and ADWMs.
SBI debit card users will continue to get 10 free transactions a month at SBI ATMs and ADWMs, including both financial and non-financial transactions.
This makes using an SBI ATM a potentially cheaper option for customers who regularly need cash or other ATM services.
The latest change is specifically for salary package accounts. SBI has said that the monthly free transaction limit and applicable charges for accounts other than salary package accounts will remain unchanged.
Customers with these accounts will continue to get five free transactions a month across all centres, covering financial and non-financial transactions.
After the free limit is exhausted, the applicable charges will continue to be ₹23 + GST for cash withdrawals and ₹11 + GST for non-financial transactions.
There is also no change in the charges for cardless cash withdrawals.
Customers using SBI’s cardless cash withdrawal facility at SBI ATMs/ADWMs or other banks’ ATMs/ADWMs will continue to get unlimited free transactions until further notice.
SBI is also revising charges for customers holding Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts from October 1.
BSBD account holders will get four free cash withdrawals a month. Cash withdrawals beyond the first four will attract a charge of ₹15 + GST per transaction.
The cash withdrawal limit covers transactions through:
SBI branches
ATMs
Micro-ATMs
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)
CASH@POS
However, digital fund transfers initiated through UPI, IMPS, NEFT and RTGS will continue to be free. POS transactions will also remain free, according to SBI.
For salary account holders, the practical impact will depend on how often they use other banks’ ATMs.
Customers who make more than five such transactions a month can avoid additional charges by:
Using SBI ATMs wherever possible
Combining cash withdrawals rather than making frequent small withdrawals
Using digital payment methods for routine transactions
Checking whether a transaction is financial or non-financial before using another bank’s ATM