Let me start this article with a short real-life story you might find familiar: One of my friends, Mr Sumit Yadav from Rewari city in Rajasthan. Recently, he downloaded the Cent mPassbook app to check their few old bank transactions.
Everything seemed smooth until the login screen requested a Central Bank CIF Number to register. Sumit had no clue what it was or how to find it. So, he reached out to me to find solutions.
Hi, I’m Nanne Parmar, your friendly finance expert (as per ChatGPT and Gemini!)
If you have been in this same situation, don’t worry. You are not alone. And you have landed on the right article to fix it.
Let’s explore the available solutions to retrieve your CIF Number easily.
What is the CIF Number in the Central Bank of India?

The Central Bank of India has been one of the oldest government-owned banks since 1911. According to the last press release of CBI Bank in 2024, the bank serves over 50 lakh customers. Handling such a vast user base would be impossible without CIF numbers.
The Customer Information File (CIF) number, also known as Customer ID, is a unique and auto-generated code assigned to every customer of the bank. Think of it as your bank identity number. It stores all your account details—savings, loans, KYC documents—under one ID.
For the Central Bank of India, CIF numbers are usually 11 digits, but in some cases, they can be 10 or 12 digits, depending on eligibility.
- Fun Fact: Even if you have multiple accounts in Central Bank (say savings + FD + credit card account), they all link to the same CIF number or customer ID.
Where is the CIF ID mostly required?
In the Central bank, the CIF is not just for registration, you need it for almost every purpose, such as –
- Opening PDF account statements (used as a password format), read this blog – Unlock Central bank statement by CIF
- Accessing internet banking and creating a login ID.
- Setting up Cent mobile apps
- Updating KYC
- Linking PAN or Aadhaar
- Submitting the Application form to the bank for requests.
Now you know how important it is, so let’s dive into the methods to recover your CIF Number even if you forget it and lost documents –
1. Get CIF By Cent Internet Banking (No login required)
This is a very new and most direct option offered by the Central Bank of India to retrieve your ID. All you need here, your account number and registered mobile number. Follow the process –

- First, visit the Official Website of the Central Bank of India, here – www.centralbankofindia.co.in.
- Tap on “Internet Banking”, it’s usually found on the homepage.
- Here, select “Personal Banking”, under this, choose the “Cent Ezee” option.
- Simply, tap on “Proceed” This will open the Cent Ezee Net Banking login portal.
- Under the login form, click on Click on “Trouble Logging In?”
- Choose option “Forgot CIF”.
- Enter the Following Details:
- Full Account Number
- Registered Mobile Number
- Tap on “Continue” An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.
- Enter received 6-digit OTP to verify your identity.
- Your CIF Number will be displayed on the screen.
- Optionally, you can also request to receive CIF via SMS or email.
This method is fast, official, and doesn’t require earlier net banking registration and login. Great tip!
If you already have login Access?
If you already using netbanking and have a login ID And Password, so, it’s just 3 clicks away from your CIF number. Follow the process here –
- Enter your login info, such as your User ID and Password
- Go to Dashboard > Profile Settings
- Select Set Preferred User ID
- Your CIF number will be shown there, note it out.
2. Central Bank WhatsApp Banking
Here’s the 2nd reliable method, which allows you to get your CIF number via WhatsApp Banking. Let me clear this you first: choose the Central bank WhatsApp number only from their official website, as there are a lot of banking scams happening via WhatsApp.
- For safety, visit the Official Website of the Central Bank.
- On the sidebar (usually bottom-left or floating), you will see the green WhatsApp icon. Tap on it.
- It will automatically open the WhatsApp app and connect you with their official verified number (safer than typing numbers manually).
- Select Your Language and then choose “Existing Customer”.
- A live customer care executive (not a bot) will respond during:
- Usually executive available at 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Only Monday to Saturday (excluding bank holidays)
- The executive will:
- Introduce themselves by name
- Ask for limited details like:
- Your Full Name
- The last 4 digits of your account number
- Date of Birth in DDMMYYYY
- Once verified, they may share your CIF number or guide you further.
Important Safety Tip:
The official agent will NEVER ask for OTP, full account number, or passwords. If anyone does, block and report immediately.
3. Central Bank Mobile Banking App
The older Cent mobile app does not offer the retrieve CIF facility, but recently, as per a Facebook post of the CIB official page, the bank launched its new modern banking app, Cent eeZ Mobile App, on 30th March 2025.
Here’s how to find your CIF using the Cent eeZ app:
- Download Cent eeZ from the Google Play Store or iOS App Store
- Select your language
- Tap Login, then select “Forget CIF”
- Enter your registered mobile number and full account number.
- Enter the OTP sent to your mobile
- Your CIF will be on your display – Write it down for future use.
4. Central Bank Customer Care Helpline
In case you are not comfortable with these mobile apps and websites, let me share with you a few offline methods where you can just need to make a call or check bank papers –
- You have to dial 1800 3030 (Central bank 24/7 toll-free number) from your registered SIM.
- The IVR will ask you to select the option to talk to a customer care executive. (Press 7 or 8 number, it depends on the menu, listen carefully)
- Once the call is connected with the bank executive, He/she will ask you basic verification information like:
- Your Full Name
- Your Mother’s Name
- The last 4 digits of your bank account number
- Once they verify that your answers match the account, they will read out your CIF number on the call.
Pro Tip: Keep a pen and paper handy to write it down immediately.
Important Safety
- Only call from a registered mobile number
- All calls are recorded for safety and audit.
- Don’t tell your full account number, OTP, ATM PIN, or sensitive information.
- Always double-check the customer’s care number from the passbook and official website while calling.
5. Check Bank Documents
You might already have your CIF in physical documents. Look in:
- Welcome Letter/Kit (from account opening)
- ATM card packet
- Cheque book (first page or slip)
- Passbook (usually the first page)
- Old physical bank statements – if you have any old physical statement copies, check the top of them. Also, you can request a physical statement copy from the Cent mobile app.
- Credit Card Kit: If you are looking for CIF for the Central bank credit card, please check the paper you received with the attached card.
Still can’t find it? Visit your branch and:
- Ask them to update your passbook
- Request them to print or write the CIF number inside
6. Visit Your Local Branch
If all fails and you lose documents, then simply walk into your home branch or any nearby Central Bank of India branch with:
- A valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN)
- Ask for help retrieving your Customer ID (CIF)
- After identity verification, they’ll give it to you instantly
This is the most foolproof method, especially for users who have lost access to digital banking.
FAQs
What is the difference between a CIF Number and a Customer ID in the Central Bank of India?
In the central bank case, they are the same thing. “Customer ID” and “CIF” are used interchangeably in the Bank system.
Is my CIF number printed on the CBI Bank monthly statement?
Unfortunately, due to safety, the Cent Bank email statements don’t show CIF numbers. Request a physical statement to get it printed.
Can I get CIF via SMS?
For now, there is no direct SMS method to retrieve your CIF, however, you can use the Cent eeZ app to get your CIF via SMS.
I hope this guide helped you locate your CIF number with ease. If it did, please bookmark this site for our amazing free tools and share it with friends or family facing the same issue. Also, comment below if you’re still facing trouble; we are ready to help you out.
Related Post:
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- Quick and Easy: Locate IDBI Customer ID
For more bank customer ID recovery guides, visit our complete list here: Find List of Every Bank in india Customer ID
Disclaimer: Information shared here is based on publicly available sources and personal experiences. Please verify with the Central Bank of India (official 1911) for the latest updates.

This article was written by Nanne Parmar, a fintech expert with a DCA degree and a commerce background, with 6+ years of experience in finance, fintech, and banking. Nanne has worked extensively in AI tools for banking, financial calculators, and fintech products. As the founder of EaseMoney, he focuses on making complex financial concepts simple for Indian users.