open-current-account-business-2026
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| + | ====== How to open a Current Account for your business — complete 2026 guide ====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{page> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP info> | ||
| + | **Quick answer.** A **Current Account (CA)** is a non-interest-bearing bank account designed for business — unlimited transactions, | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Anjali' | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP center round box 80%> | ||
| + | //Anjali Iyer, 31, founded an EdTech Pvt Ltd Co (Saral Learn Pvt Ltd) in Bengaluru in July 2024. Two co-founders, | ||
| + | |||
| + | > "My CA initially pushed me towards a regular HDFC Smart Business Current Account — ₹25,000 MAB and the standard suite. As a brand-new Pvt Ltd with negligible cash, ₹25,000 was real money to keep idle. I asked specifically for the **HDFC SmartUp** product after reading their start-up programme page. The branch officer at HDFC Bank Indiranagar was unfamiliar with it (most aren' | ||
| + | |||
| + | —Anjali, April 2025 | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | A current account is the single biggest enabling instrument for any business: vendors and customers expect a CA-backed cheque or RTGS, the GST portal needs a CA for refund crediting in most cases, GeM and ONDC won't onboard you without one, and most loan facilities (CC, OD, term loan) attach to a CA. Picking the wrong product costs months of avoidable charges. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== What a Current Account is — and how it differs from Savings ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | A **Savings Account (SB)** is for individuals — earns interest (typically 2.5–4.5% pa), restricted on free transactions, | ||
| + | |||
| + | A **Current Account (CA)** is for **businesses, | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. | ||
| + | * Higher daily / per-transaction RTGS, NEFT, IMPS limits. | ||
| + | * Business cheque books (multi-leaf, | ||
| + | * Overdraft, cash credit, packing credit, LC/BG and trade-finance attachment. | ||
| + | * Bulk-transaction net banking (multiple-payee uploads). | ||
| + | * Customer-grade reconciliation reports. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Statutory anchors: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Banking Regulation Act, 1949** — §5(b) defines banking; §21A regulates interest on deposits; §35A is RBI's directional power. | ||
| + | * **RBI Master Direction — Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016** (as amended) — defines CDD (Customer Due Diligence) for businesses. | ||
| + | * **RBI Master Circular on Branch Authorisation** (revised periodically) — governs new account opening and branch operations. | ||
| + | * **Companies Act, 2013** — §179 (powers of Board) requires a Board Resolution for opening a company account; §134 (signing of accounts). | ||
| + | * **LLP Act, 2008** — Designated Partner authorisation needed for LLP accounts. | ||
| + | * **Indian Partnership Act, 1932** — Partnership Deed is the basis for partnership account. | ||
| + | * **Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)** — KYC/CDD obligations on banks for all accounts including CAs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A 2020 RBI circular (" | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Account-type map — pick the right product ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Basic Current Account ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Lowest MAB tier — typically **₹5,000 to ₹25,000** (urban / semi-urban / rural variants). | ||
| + | * Cheque book + Business Debit Card + net banking. | ||
| + | * Limited free outward NEFT/RTGS, free cash deposit up to a monthly cap. | ||
| + | * For: small proprietors and early-stage partnerships. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Premium Current Account ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * MAB **₹50,000 to ₹5, | ||
| + | * Dedicated relationship manager. | ||
| + | * Free unlimited RTGS / NEFT / IMPS. | ||
| + | * Sweep-in / sweep-out into FD for idle balances. | ||
| + | * Free DD/cheque issuance up to a monthly cap. | ||
| + | * Forex / trade-finance desks. | ||
| + | * For: established mid-sized businesses with steady throughput. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Startup Current Account ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **HDFC SmartUp** — zero/low MAB for first 12-24 months; SmartUp Programme adds investor-network access, mentor connections. | ||
| + | * **ICICI iStartup** — three tiers (Platinum / Gold / Silver) with relaxed MAB and free investor-grade reporting. | ||
| + | * **Federal Onesource** — for new entities. | ||
| + | * **Axis Liberty / Axis Startup CA**. | ||
| + | * **Kotak Mahindra Bank Startup CA**. | ||
| + | * **SBI Power Gain / Power Jyoti** — PSU options for startup pricing in select cities. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Government / institutional Current Accounts ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **PSU bank " | ||
| + | * Society / trust / association of persons accounts have separate KYC norms and require trust deed / society registration. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Eligibility and entity-wise document map ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Proprietorship ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Identity: | ||
| + | * **Business proof — any TWO from this list (RBI norm):** | ||
| + | * GST registration certificate (GSTIN). | ||
| + | * Udyam registration. | ||
| + | * Shop and Establishment Act registration (state). | ||
| + | * IEC (Importer Exporter Code) from DGFT. | ||
| + | * Trade licence from local municipal body. | ||
| + | * Professional licence (CA / advocate / doctor). | ||
| + | * Latest ITR with the proprietorship name. | ||
| + | * Utility bill / lease deed in the firm's name. | ||
| + | * **Initial deposit:** ₹0 to ₹10,000 typical. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Partnership Firm ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Partnership Deed** — original (or notarised true copy). Registration with the Registrar of Firms is **not** mandatory for a CA but recommended. | ||
| + | * **PAN of the firm** (separate from partners' | ||
| + | * **KYC of all partners** (PAN + Aadhaar + photo + address proof). | ||
| + | * **Registration certificate** from Registrar of Firms (if registered). | ||
| + | * **Authorisation letter** signed by all partners specifying the operating partner(s) and signing rules (any one / both jointly / any two of three). | ||
| + | * **GSTIN** (if applicable). | ||
| + | * **Initial deposit:** ₹5,000 to ₹25,000. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Certificate of Incorporation** (LLP-IN) issued by MCA. | ||
| + | * **LLP Agreement** (registered with MCA). | ||
| + | * **PAN of LLP**. | ||
| + | * **DIN/ | ||
| + | * **KYC of all designated partners** + passport-size photographs. | ||
| + | * **Resolution** signed by designated partners authorising the bank account opening and naming authorised signatories. | ||
| + | * **Registered office proof.** | ||
| + | * **Initial deposit:** ₹10,000 to ₹25,000. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Private Limited / Public Limited Company ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Certificate of Incorporation** (CIN) from MCA. | ||
| + | * **Memorandum of Association (MOA) + Articles of Association (AOA)**. | ||
| + | * **Board Resolution** under §179 of Companies Act, 2013 — specifically authorising the bank account opening, naming the bank, listing authorised signatories, | ||
| + | * **PAN of company**. | ||
| + | * **DIN of all directors**. | ||
| + | * **KYC of all directors + authorised signatories** (PAN + Aadhaar + photo). | ||
| + | * **List of directors** in form DIR-12 (latest filing) or via MCA master data. | ||
| + | * **Registered office proof** + utility bill not older than 2 months. | ||
| + | * **Specimen signatures** of all authorised signatories. | ||
| + | * **Beneficial ownership declaration** (PMLA Rule 9A) — where any beneficial owner holds ≥10% in the company, declared with KYC. | ||
| + | * **Initial deposit:** ₹25,000 to ₹1, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Society / Trust / Association of Persons ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Trust Deed / Society Registration / Bye-laws** (registered). | ||
| + | * **PAN of trust / society / AOP**. | ||
| + | * **Resolution of trustees / managing committee**. | ||
| + | * **KYC of trustees / office bearers** + photographs. | ||
| + | * **12A / 80G certificates** (if applicable, for tax exemption). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Step-by-step — from walk-in to active account ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 1 — Decide bank, branch and product ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Compare 3-4 banks online. Look at: MAB tier, free transaction caps, monthly maintenance + breach charges, foreign-remittance fees, integration with your accounting software (Tally / Zoho / QuickBooks). | ||
| + | * For startup or new Pvt Ltd, **explicitly ask** for the startup variant (SmartUp / iStartup) — branch officers default to standard product. | ||
| + | * Choose a branch close to your office, with reasonable footfall (cash deposits + cheque clearance speed depend on branch operations). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 2 — Pre-book a relationship manager visit ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Most banks now offer doorstep CA opening via web form: hdfcbank.com / icicibank.com / sbi.co.in → "Open Current Account" | ||
| + | * RMs can pre-validate your document set, saving a wasted branch visit. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 3 — Assemble documents (entity-specific, | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Originals + at least 2 self-attested photocopies of each. | ||
| + | * Photographs of all authorised signatories. | ||
| + | * Initial deposit cheque (drawn on the proprietor / company existing account) or cash (within RBI-permitted limits). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 4 — Submit Account Opening Form (AOF) ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The bank's AOF is entity-specific (separate forms for Proprietor / Partnership / LLP / Pvt Ltd). | ||
| + | * Fill carefully — name as per PAN, address as per registered office, product code (basic / premium / startup) clearly marked. | ||
| + | * Beneficial Owner declaration (Form CDD-BO). | ||
| + | * FATCA / CRS declaration. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 5 — Bank verification ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Branch visit** to the registered office address — for Pvt Ltd / LLP / partnership, | ||
| + | * **Video KYC** — for proprietors, | ||
| + | * **Document verification** — bank validates Certificate of Incorporation against MCA21, GSTIN against GST portal, PAN against IT database. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 6 — Account number generation + welcome kit ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Account number is generated in the core banking system within 1-3 days of complete documentation. | ||
| + | * **Welcome kit** dispatched: cheque book (typically 50 leaves), Business Debit Card, net banking credentials envelope, MAB schedule. | ||
| + | * **Time:** total **5-15 working days** for most cases; faster for startup variants of private banks; slower for PSU banks if registered office verification takes time. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 7 — Activate net banking + corporate cheque protocols ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Reset the net banking password on first login. | ||
| + | * Set up payee approvals (maker-checker workflow for Pvt Ltd / LLP). | ||
| + | * Enable IMPS, RTGS, NEFT. | ||
| + | * Order MICR account-payee cheque book if the welcome kit's default doesn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Step 8 — Update GST portal, vendor masters, payroll, GeM ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Update bank account on **GST portal** under "Amend Non-Core Fields" | ||
| + | * Update vendor master with all your suppliers. | ||
| + | * Update payroll software (employee bank credit run will use this account). | ||
| + | * Add account to **GeM (gem.gov.in)** under " | ||
| + | * Update PAN-Aadhaar-bank linkage on the **Income Tax e-filing portal** if this will be the primary account for any income. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Sample fee + MAB + product table ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | < | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Basic CA — PSU bank (urban) | ||
| + | | | Breach charge ₹100-₹500/ | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Basic CA — Private bank (urban) | ||
| + | | | Breach charge ₹500-₹750/ | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Premium CA — Private bank | MAB ₹50,000 – ₹5, | ||
| + | | | Free unlimited RTGS/NEFT, RM, sweep | | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Startup CA — HDFC SmartUp | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Startup CA — ICICI iStartup | ||
| + | | | tiered thereafter | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Cheque book | First 25-50 leaves free; subsequent | ||
| + | | | ₹2-₹5 per leaf | | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Business Debit Card | Free issuance; ₹500-₹1, | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Cash deposit (free monthly cap) | ₹1,00,000 – ₹10, | ||
| + | | | product; above cap ₹3-₹5 per ₹1, | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | RTGS / NEFT — net banking | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | RTGS / NEFT — branch | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | IMPS | ₹3.50 – ₹15 per txn (slab-based) | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Initial deposit | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | Time to open (full KYC clean) | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | | RTI for PSU bank PIO | ₹10 by IPO; BPL = free | | ||
| + | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Common reasons your CA opening gets stuck ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Certificate of Incorporation not yet downloaded.** MCA portal is glitchy at times — re-download from mca.gov.in → Master Data → CIN search → Download CoI. | ||
| + | * **Partnership Deed unstamped or insufficiently stamped.** State-specific stamp duty applies. Get adjudication from the Stamp Office before submitting. | ||
| + | * **Rent agreement < 11 months / unregistered.** Banks require a 11-month minimum registered rent agreement for office address proof. If your landlord refuses to register, get a notarised lease + electricity bill in firm's name. | ||
| + | * **Multiple signatories not all KYC-compliant.** One director' | ||
| + | * **GSTIN not active** or under suspension. Reactivate on GST portal first. | ||
| + | * **Beneficial owner declaration missing** for any individual / entity holding ≥10%. PMLA mandate. | ||
| + | * **Existing CA at another branch of same bank** — RBI's " | ||
| + | * **Board Resolution not in correct format.** Most banks have a template — use it verbatim. Free-form resolutions get rejected. | ||
| + | * **DIN of any director marked as " | ||
| + | * **Specimen signatures inconsistent** with PAN-database signatures. Banks have started cross-verifying. | ||
| + | * **Initial deposit cheque bounces** or is from an unrelated party. Use a cheque from the proprietor / company' | ||
| + | * **Annual ROC filing default** for Pvt Ltd / LLP — banks pull MCA compliance status before opening; outstanding AOC-4 / MGT-7 / Form 11 will block. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== If stuck — the escalation ladder ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Rung 1 — Branch manager + written complaint ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Submit a written complaint at the branch with date, AOF reference, names of officers spoken to, and the specific blocker. | ||
| + | * Get an **acknowledgement number** within 24 hours under RBI Internal Ombudsman rules. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Rung 2 — Bank's Principal Nodal Officer ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Each bank publishes a **Principal Nodal Officer** with name + email + phone for grievance redressal. Find on the bank's grievance page. | ||
| + | * **30-day SLA**. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Rung 3 — RBI Banking Ombudsman (RBIOS) ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2021** — covers all scheduled commercial banks. | ||
| + | * File at **https:// | ||
| + | * Helpline: **14448**. | ||
| + | * No fee. Award binding on the bank up to ₹30 lakh. | ||
| + | * Pre-condition: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Rung 4 — RBI Customer Service / Department of Regulation ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * For systemic complaints (e.g., a bank consistently refusing to open CAs for a specific entity type) — file with RBI's Department of Regulation through CMS. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Rung 5 — CPGRAMS ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * https:// | ||
| + | * Higher visibility. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Rung 6 — Right to Information (RTI) ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is where the public-vs-private distinction matters. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **RTI helps here when:** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Your CA application is at a **PSU bank** (SBI, BoB, PNB, Canara, Union, BoI, Indian Bank, Central Bank, etc.) — public authorities under §2(h) RTI Act 2005. Ask the PIO of the relevant Circle / Zonal office for: status of your AOF, dealing officer name + designation, | ||
| + | * RTI to **PIO Reserve Bank of India** for: bank-wise CA opening grievance statistics, regulatory clarifications on a specific RBI Master Direction provision. | ||
| + | * RTI to **PIO MCA** for delays in your CIN / company status update (which the bank is dependent on). | ||
| + | |||
| + | **RTI does NOT help here when:** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Your CA application is at a **private bank** (HDFC, ICICI, Axis, Kotak, IndusInd, RBL, Yes, Federal, Bandhan, etc.). These are **not " | ||
| + | * For private banks, the binding route is **RBIOS** at https:// | ||
| + | * For NBFCs offering CA-like products (Razorpay X, Open, Karbon — fintechs that operate via partner banks): file with the partner bank's Internal Ombudsman / RBIOS. | ||
| + | * For interpretation ("is this MAB charge fair?" | ||
| + | * For pre-emptive ("the account is not yet rejected, I want internal notes" | ||
| + | |||
| + | For the RTI procedure see [[: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== FAQs ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. Can I open a Current Account online, end-to-end, without visiting a branch?**\\ | ||
| + | For **proprietors**, | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. How many Current Accounts can a single business have?**\\ | ||
| + | No legal cap, but RBI's **" | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. Is GSTIN mandatory to open a Current Account? | ||
| + | **No** — GST is required only if your turnover is above the GST threshold (₹40 lakh / ₹20 lakh / ₹10 lakh depending on state and supply type). Below the threshold, you can open a CA with **Udyam + Shop Act + ITR** as business proof. See [[: | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. What is MAB and what happens if I breach it?**\\ | ||
| + | **Minimum Average Balance** is the average end-of-day balance you must maintain across the calendar quarter (or month, depending on product). If you breach it, the bank levies a **breach charge** (₹100-₹750 + GST per month, product-dependent). Track the MAB requirement on Day 1 and pre-fund accordingly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. Can I earn interest on my Current Account balance? | ||
| + | **No** — RBI prohibits interest on CA balances under §21A of Banking Regulation Act, 1949. To earn yield on idle CA money, set up a **Sweep-In FD** (auto-sweeps balance above a threshold into a 7-day FD). | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. Why does the bank ask for both Aadhaar and PAN — isn't one enough?**\\ | ||
| + | **Both are required** under PMLA Rules and RBI KYC Master Direction. PAN is the financial identifier; Aadhaar is the identity / address proof (with masking, per Aadhaar Act §7 and the SC's Puttaswamy ruling on PMLA-banking use). | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. The bank refused my CA application without giving any reason. Is that allowed? | ||
| + | **No** — RBI's Charter of Customer Rights mandates written reasons for refusal of any banking service. Insist in writing. If still refused, escalate to the bank's nodal officer → RBIOS. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. My Pvt Ltd Co's CA is at HDFC. Can I file an RTI on HDFC about my account opening delay?**\\ | ||
| + | **No.** HDFC is a private bank and is **not** a public authority under §2(h) RTI Act 2005. File with **HDFC' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Q. Switched from HDFC to SBI Power Gain. How do I close the old CA?**\\ | ||
| + | See [[: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Related on RTI Wiki ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | * [[: | ||
| + | |||
| + | //Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. KYC norms and current account discipline rules are revised periodically by RBI — verify on rbi.org.in or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot a stale figure.// | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{tag> | ||
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