If you have ever noticed a small debit in your bank statement labeled “SMS Charges”, you’re not alone. Most nationalised banks in India, including SBI, levy nominal fees for SMS alert services. These charges differ from bank to bank and often depend on account type, exemptions, and usage.
In this article, we break down current SMS alert charges of all major nationalised banks and SBI, using the latest publicly available service-charge information. This guide is ideal for customers who want clarity and for those looking to reduce unnecessary banking charges.
How SMS Alert Charges Work in Indian Banks
Banks send SMS alerts for:
- Debit/credit transactions
- UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS alerts
- ATM withdrawals
- Balance or service notifications
As per RBI guidelines, banks may recover reasonable costs for sending SMS alerts. However:
- Mandatory transaction alerts (for fraud prevention) are usually free or bundled.
- Optional/value-added SMS alerts often attract charges.
Most public sector banks follow quarterly subscription or per-SMS with a cap model.
SMS Alert Charges: SBI & Nationalised Banks (2025–26)
State Bank of India (SBI)
- SBI does not clearly publish a per-SMS or quarterly charge for standard SMS alerts in its latest service-charge schedule.
- Mandatory alerts for UPI/ATM/IMPS transactions are generally free.
- Balance enquiry via missed call or SMS banking remains free.
Status: No explicit SMS alert fee mentioned in the latest SBI schedule.
Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- ₹15 + GST per quarter for SMS alert facility
- Charges apply to accounts registered for SMS alerts
- Exemptions: PMJDY, BSBD, staff, pensioners (as per bank norms)
Union Bank of India
- ₹0.25 + GST per domestic SMS
- ₹1.20 + GST per international SMS
- Quarterly cap: ₹15 + GST
This means even heavy users won’t pay more than ₹15 per quarter.
Bank of Baroda (BoB)
- ₹0.20 + GST per SMS
- Monthly cap: ₹15 + GST
- Widely applicable to savings accounts
- Exemptions available for eligible categories
Bank of Maharashtra
- ₹15 + applicable taxes per quarter
- Charges are deducted in advance
- Exemptions: PMJDY, BSBD, pension accounts
Other Nationalised Banks – Indicative SMS Charges
While some banks do not prominently publish SMS pricing online, their charges broadly follow similar patterns:
| Bank | SMS Alert Charges (Indicative) | Charging Model |
|---|---|---|
| Canara Bank | ₹15–₹25 per quarter | Quarterly subscription |
| Indian Bank | Usage-based | Per SMS / capped |
| Central Bank of India | Nominal quarterly fee | Subscription |
| Indian Overseas Bank | Usage-based | Per SMS |
| UCO Bank | Nominal fee | Quarterly / usage |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | Nominal SMS charges | Varies by account |
| IDBI Bank | Capped charges | Optional SMS alerts |
Exact charges may vary by account type and region. Always check the latest “Schedule of Charges” of your bank.
Who Is Usually Exempt from SMS Charges?
Most nationalised banks provide SMS alert fee exemptions for:
- PMJDY / Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts
- Pensioners
- Senior citizens (in some banks)
- Bank staff and retired staff
How to Reduce or Avoid SMS Alert Charges
- Switch to email alerts (usually free)
- Enable mobile app push notifications
- Unsubscribe from non-mandatory SMS alerts
- Maintain minimum balance if your account offers fee waivers
SMS alert charges in nationalised banks are small but recurring. While most banks charge around ₹15 per quarter, some have moved to per-SMS pricing with caps. SBI remains an exception, with no clearly disclosed SMS alert fee in its latest schedule.
Being aware of these charges helps you control hidden banking costs and choose alert options wisely.