You can check your bank balance online through net banking, your bank’s mobile app, a UPI app like Google Pay or PhonePe, or offline through a missed call, SMS, ATM, or the *99# USSD code. Most methods take under 30 seconds and do not need you to visit a branch. The method that works fastest depends on whether you have internet access at that moment.
This guide covers every method available to Indian bank account holders, with exact steps for each.
Quick Comparison: Which Method to Use When
| Method | Needs Internet | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile banking app | Yes | Instant | Daily balance checks |
| UPI app (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm) | Yes | Instant | If you already use UPI |
| Net banking | Yes | 1-2 minutes | Detailed statements |
| Missed call banking | No | Under 1 minute | No data, registered number |
| SMS banking | No | Under 1 minute | Basic phones |
| *99# USSD | No | Under 1 minute | No internet, any phone |
| ATM | No | 2-3 minutes | Near an ATM, want printed slip |
| Passbook or branch visit | No | Same day | Full transaction history |
How to Check Bank Balance Through Your Bank’s Mobile App
Every major Indian bank runs its own app: YONO for SBI, HDFC Mobile Banking, iMobile Pay for ICICI, Axis Mobile, PNB ONE for Punjab National Bank, and similar apps for other banks.
- Download your bank’s official app from the Play Store or App Store. Confirm the developer name matches your bank before installing, since fake banking apps do exist.
- Register using your registered mobile number, account number, and debit card details, or log in if already registered.
- Set your login PIN or use biometric login.
- The account balance shows on the home screen immediately after login, without needing to navigate further in most apps.
This is the fastest way to check balance repeatedly through the day, since most apps keep you logged in and show balance on opening.
How to Check Bank Balance Through UPI Apps (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm)
If your bank account is already linked to a UPI app, you can check balance without opening your bank’s own app.
- Open Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any UPI app linked to your account.
- Go to the bank account or “Check Balance” section, usually under your profile or the linked accounts list.
- Enter your UPI PIN when prompted.
- The current balance displays on screen.
UPI apps pull balance directly from your bank’s core banking system in real time, so the figure is as current as checking through the bank’s own app.
How to Check Bank Balance Through Net Banking
- Go to your bank’s official net banking website. Do not click links from SMS or email; type the URL directly or use a bookmarked link.
- Log in with your customer ID or user ID and internet banking password.
- Complete the second-factor authentication (OTP or security question) if prompted.
- Your account summary page shows the balance for all linked accounts.
Net banking is the better option when you also need mini statements, standing instruction details, or fixed deposit balances alongside your savings account balance.
How to Check Bank Balance via Missed Call
Missed call banking works without internet or a smartphone. You call a bank-specific number from your registered mobile number, the call disconnects automatically after one or two rings, and the bank sends your balance by SMS.
Commonly cited missed call numbers for major banks:
| Bank | Missed Call Number |
|---|---|
| State Bank of India (SBI) | 9223766666 |
| HDFC Bank | 1800 270 3333 |
| ICICI Bank | 9594612612 |
| Axis Bank | 1800 419 5959 |
| Punjab National Bank (PNB) | 1800 180 2223 |
| Bank of Baroda | 8468001111 |
These numbers change occasionally and third-party sources are not always consistent with each other. Confirm the current number on your bank’s official website or app before relying on it, particularly if it has been more than a few months since you last used the service.
The call only works from the mobile number registered with your account. If nothing happens after the missed call, the most common cause is a registered number that is no longer active or was never updated after a SIM change.
How to Check Bank Balance via SMS Banking
SMS banking requires you to register your mobile number for SMS alerts with your bank first, usually done automatically when you open the account.
General format: Send BAL followed by your last 4 digits of account number to your bank’s SMS banking number. Exact keywords and numbers differ by bank. For example, Bank of Baroda uses MINI followed by the last 4 digits of the account number sent to 8422009988 for a mini statement, and PNB uses BAL followed by the account number sent to 5607040.
Check your bank’s app or website for the exact SMS format before sending, since an incorrect format usually returns no response rather than an error message.
How to Check Bank Balance Using *99# USSD Code (No Internet Needed)
The *99# service is run by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and works on any GSM mobile phone, including basic feature phones with no internet connection.
- Dial *99# from your registered mobile number and press call.
- An interactive menu appears with options such as Send Money, Request Money, Check Balance, and Mini Statement.
- Select the Check Balance option by replying with the corresponding number.
- Enter your UPI PIN when prompted.
- Your balance appears on screen within seconds.
*99# uses signaling channels rather than voice or data, so it works even in areas with weak network where a call or SMS might fail. Your mobile number needs to be linked to a UPI ID for this to work, since balance enquiry through *99# runs on the UPI backend.
How to Check Bank Balance at an ATM
- Insert your debit card at any ATM and enter your ATM PIN.
- Select “Balance Enquiry” from the menu.
- Choose whether you want the balance displayed on screen or printed on a receipt.
Banks under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rules allow a limited number of free transactions per month at other banks’ ATMs, typically three in metro cities and five in non-metro cities, after which a fee applies. Balance enquiry at your own bank’s ATM is free without this limit.
How to Check Bank Balance With a Passbook or Branch Visit
Passbook updates and branch visits remain available for anyone who wants full transaction history rather than just the current balance. You can visit a branch or use a passbook printing machine at the branch to get an updated physical record. This method takes longer but gives a documented trail useful for loan applications or dispute resolution, where digital screenshots alone may not be accepted.
Checking Balance for a Jan Dhan or Zero Balance Account
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts and other zero balance accounts use the same balance check methods as regular savings accounts: missed call, SMS, mobile app, or ATM. If you opened a zero balance account without a PAN card using a Form 60 declaration, balance enquiry works the same way once your account and mobile number are linked. Read the zero balance account without PAN card guide for how these accounts are opened and their transaction limits.
Why Your Registered Mobile Number Matters
Every offline balance check method, missed call, SMS, USSD, and even some app logins, depends on your mobile number being correctly registered and linked to your bank account. If you recently changed your SIM, switched banks, or updated your KYC, verify your registered mobile number through net banking or at your branch before assuming a balance check method has stopped working.
Your bank account is also commonly linked to your PAN for transactions above prescribed thresholds and for tax reporting. If you are setting up a new account or updating an existing one, see the guide on how to link PAN to your bank account and where a PAN card is required for banking transactions.
What Experts Say
Practitioners who handle high transaction volumes generally recommend keeping at least two balance check methods active: one app-based method for daily use and one offline method such as missed call or *99# for situations with no data connectivity. Registered mobile number mismatches are consistently flagged as the single most common reason offline balance checks fail, more common than an actual service outage. For anyone managing accounts across multiple banks, a UPI app that links all accounts is generally faster for a quick check than opening each bank’s individual app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is missed call balance enquiry free? Yes. The call disconnects automatically after one or two rings, so no call charges apply. You receive the balance through SMS, which may attract standard SMS charges from your telecom operator depending on your plan.
Why did I not receive a balance SMS after a missed call? The most common reason is that your mobile number is not registered with the bank, or a different number was used to place the call. Network delays can also cause a delay of a few minutes. If nothing arrives after 10 minutes, retry or visit your branch to confirm your registered number.
Can I check bank balance without internet? Yes. Missed call banking, SMS banking, and the *99# USSD code all work without an internet connection. *99# also works on basic feature phones.
Does checking balance through a UPI app cost anything? No. Balance enquiry through UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm is free and does not count against UPI transaction limits, since it is not a fund transfer.
*Is 99# safe to use? Yes, when used correctly. It is an NPCI-run service integrated with your bank and UPI. Never share your UPI PIN with anyone outside the *99# session itself, and only dial the code from your own registered phone.
How many free balance enquiries do I get at other banks’ ATMs? RBI rules typically allow three free transactions per month at other banks’ ATMs in metro cities and five in non-metro cities, including balance enquiries. Transactions at your own bank’s ATM are unlimited and free.