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banks · SBI

How to escalate an SBI complaint

File the complaint through SBI’s online complaint form, YONO or your branch, and keep the reference number. If there is no answer in 30 days, or a rejection, take it to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in.

the rule

The RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 makes you complain to the bank first. If the bank does not reply within 30 days, or rejects you, you can go to the RBI Ombudsman for free.

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the escalation path, in order

  1. Start with SBI itself

    Use the Customer Complaints section on sbi.bank.in (also reachable from YONO), or your home branch, and keep the complaint reference number.

  2. Escalate inside the bank

    Every bank has a Grievance Redressal Officer and a Principal Nodal Officer above its call centre, listed on its website. Write to them with the complaint number.

  3. RBI Ombudsman

    After 30 days without a reply, or after a rejection, file at cms.rbi.org.in (help on 14448). File within one year of the bank’s reply. It is free, and the Ombudsman can award up to ₹20 lakh for loss and up to ₹1 lakh for time, expense and harassment.

where SBI lists its officers

SBI lists its grievance redressal officials, including nodal officers by circle and the Principal Nodal Officer, in the customer grievance section of sbi.bank.in.

what people take up with SBI

  • UPI or ATM debit failed but money not returned
  • Charges you did not agree to
  • Account frozen without explanation
  • Loan or pension credit problems

keep these ready

  1. 1Account or card number (last four digits only in emails)
  2. 2Transaction date, amount and reference
  3. 3The bank complaint number and its reply
  4. 4For fraud: the 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in acknowledgement

a complaint you can copy

Subject: Escalation of complaint [complaint number], account ending [last four digits]

Dear SBI team,

On [date], [what happened, in one or two sentences]. I raised this on [date] (reference [number]), and it has not been resolved.

I am asking for [a refund of ₹amount / a fix / a reversal of the charge].

Please resolve this within 30 days. If it is not resolved, I will take it to the RBI Ombudsman.

[Your name]
[Registered phone or email]
Fill in the brackets. Send it to the desk for the step you are on, and keep the reply.

questions people ask

Who do I escalate an SBI complaint to?

Escalate inside SBI. SBI lists its grievance redressal officials, including nodal officers by circle and the Principal Nodal Officer, in the customer grievance section of sbi.bank.in. After 30 days without a reply, or after a rejection, file with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in.

Should I call an SBI customer care number I found online?

No. Fake customer care numbers in search results and social media are a common scam. Use the Customer Complaints section on sbi.bank.in (also reachable from YONO), or your home branch, and keep the complaint reference number.

What should the complaint say?

Keep it short and specific: what happened and when, every earlier reference number, and exactly what you want. Have these ready: Account or card number (last four digits only in emails); Transaction date, amount and reference; The bank complaint number and its reply; For fraud: the 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in acknowledgement.

Can Kaval do this for me?

Yes, end to end, for members. Message Kaval on WhatsApp with what happened and the reference numbers you have. Kaval writes the complaint, sends it to the right desk, keeps track of the deadline and chases it, and takes it to the next level when the deadline passes. Membership details are at kaval.chat/pricing.

other banks guides

complaint with someone else?

Last reviewed October 28, 2026. Rules change; the regulator’s own page has the final word.