DICGC Deposit Insurance — Is My FD Safe?
How the ₹5 lakh deposit insurance works — what is covered, per-bank and per-capacity limits, payout in 90 days, and how to protect larger savings.
Updated 30 September 2026 · 25 banks trackedWhat you need to know
The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), an RBI subsidiary, insures bank deposits up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank, covering both principal and interest. It covers savings, current, FD and RD accounts in commercial banks (public, private, foreign), small finance banks, payment banks, regional rural banks and co-operative banks.
What is and isn’t covered
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| Covered | Savings, current, fixed, recurring deposits in insured banks — up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank |
| Per bank, not per branch | All branches of the same bank are added together |
| Different capacities | Individual, joint (different first holder), guardian, partnership, HUF are insured separately |
| Not covered | Deposits of foreign, central or state governments; inter-bank deposits; corporate/NBFC FDs |
| Payout | Within 90 days if the RBI imposes restrictions on the bank (DICGC Amendment Act, 2021) |
Examples
| Situation | Cover |
|---|---|
| ₹8 lakh in one FD at Bank A | ₹5 lakh insured, ₹3 lakh at risk |
| ₹4 lakh each in Bank A and Bank B | Fully insured (₹4 lakh + ₹4 lakh) |
| ₹5 lakh individual + ₹5 lakh joint (you as second holder) | Both insured separately |
| ₹5 lakh + ₹30,000 accrued interest | ₹5 lakh insured (cap includes interest) |
How to protect bigger savings
- Spread deposits across several banks.
- Use joint accounts with different first holders.
- Use sovereign options (PPF, SCSS, POTD, RBI bonds) for amounts above the cover.
- Check the “DICGC insured” notice on the bank’s website or the DICGC list of insured banks.
Frequently asked questions
Is my FD in a small finance bank insured?
Yes, small finance banks are DICGC-insured up to ₹5 lakh.
Do I pay for the insurance?
No, the bank pays the premium.
Information is for education and comparison. Rates and rules change — confirm with your bank and a tax adviser before investing. FinancePortal is not a financial or tax adviser.