New Rule: ATM rules for these 3 major banks will change starting April 1; hefty charges will apply once free transactions are exhausted..

If you are a customer of HDFC Bank, PNB, or Bandhan Bank, this news is going to be extremely important for you. In fact, effective April 1, 2026, these major banks have announced several changes to the rules governing ATM cash withdrawals and transactions. These changes will have a direct impact on your daily banking activities; therefore, it is essential to know in advance what exactly is going to change.

A Major Update for PNB Customers
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has revised the daily cash withdrawal limit for ATMs. The bank states that this step has been taken to enhance customer security and to make digital banking safer.

What Will the New Limits Be?

For Certain Debit Cards:

Previous Limit: ₹1 Lakh
New Limit: ₹50,000

For Other Specific Cards:

Previous Limit: ₹1.5 Lakhs
New Limit: ₹75,000

Points to Note:

*   There have been no changes to the limits for other categories of cards.
*   Customers can set or reset their limits via Internet Banking, the Mobile App (PNB One), IVR, or WhatsApp Banking.
*   However, there have been no changes to the limits for POS, E-commerce, or Contactless transactions.

What is HDFC Bank's New Rule?
HDFC Bank has implemented a new rule regarding cash withdrawals from ATMs using UPI.

What Will Change?

*   Now, ATM withdrawals made via UPI will also be counted towards the monthly free transaction limit.
*   Once the free limit is exhausted, a charge of ₹23 plus applicable taxes will be levied on every subsequent transaction.
*   This means that withdrawing cash via UPI will no longer be as free as it used to be.
*   **Question:** What is a UPI ATM?
*   You can now withdraw money from an ATM even without a physical card.

*   Scan the QR code.
*   Authorize the payment via your UPI app and withdraw the cash.
*   While this facility is certainly convenient, you must now keep the applicable limits and charges in mind.

**New Rules for Bandhan Bank Customers**
Bandhan Bank has revised the number of free ATM transactions permitted. New Free Limits

At Bandhan Bank ATMs: 5 free financial transactions (cash withdrawals, etc.)
Non-financial transactions (such as balance inquiries) will be unlimited.
At other banks' ATMs:

In Metro Cities: 3 free transactions
In Non-Metro Cities: 5 free transactions

Which are the Metro Cities?

Delhi
Mumbai
Kolkata
Chennai
Bengaluru
Hyderabad

Apart from these, all other cities can be considered non-metro.

Important Advice for Customers
Perform transactions only after understanding the ATM limits and charges.
Keep the free transaction limits in mind when using UPI ATMs.
Set your debit card limits according to your specific needs.
Avoid making frequent transactions; otherwise, you may incur additional charges.

Useful Information for You
These new ATM rules, effective from April 1, 2026, may seem minor, but they can certainly impact your finances. Therefore, it is advisable to understand these rules in advance and adjust your banking habits accordingly. (Note: This report is based on general information; please contact the bank for further details.)

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.