Time 2:00 PM News desk: From December 1, 2025, Kotak Mahindra Bank will update the rules and charges for its popular 811 digital savings accounts, including Lite, Limited KYC, Full KYC, Super, and Edge.
While the accounts will remain zero-balance for most users, a few small updates will apply — mainly for SMS alerts and cash deposits at branches.
New Kotak 811 Rules (Starts from December 1, 2025)
| Feature | New Rule | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| SMS Alerts | 30 free per month; ₹0.15 per SMS after that | All 811 accounts |
| Free SMS Condition | Keep ₹5,000 total balance (savings + FD + ActivMoney) = no SMS charge | Lite, Limited, Full KYC |
| Cash at Branch / Deposit Machine | 1 free cash transaction or ₹10,000/month; after that ₹5 per ₹1,000 (min ₹150) | Lite, Limited, Full KYC |
| Cash Limit for 811 Super & Edge | 4 free cash transactions or ₹2 lakh/month; ₹5 per ₹1,000 after limit (min ₹150) | 811 Super, 811 Edge |
| Minimum Balance Rule | Zero balance for 811 Lite/Limited/Full | As per account type |
| 811 Edge Minimum Balance Rule | ₹10,000 AMB for Edge account type only |
SMS Charge — Small but Important
From December, every Kotak 811 account gets 30 free SMS alerts per month.
Once that limit is crossed, each message will cost ₹0.15.
This includes alerts for UPI, ATM use, transfers, deposits, and more.
However, keeping an overall balance of ₹5,000 or more in your account or linked deposits will make all SMS alerts free again.
Example – You receive 60 SMS alerts, but your balance stays under ₹5,000 → you pay ₹4.50 for that month.
If you maintain ₹5,000 or higher → no charges.
Cash Deposits and Withdrawals — Simplified
For 811 Lite, Limited, and Full KYC, you can make one free cash deposit or up to ₹10,000 per month.
After that, Kotak will charge ₹5 per ₹1,000 deposited, with a minimum ₹150.
- For 811 Super and 811 Edge, the limit is higher —
- 4 free transactions or ₹2 lakh per month, whichever comes first.
- Beyond that, the same ₹5 per ₹1,000 (minimum ₹150) charge applies.
Note: For Lite, Limited, and Full KYC accounts, branch cash withdrawals are not allowed — only deposits count toward this rule.
What Doesn’t Change
- Digital transfers (UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS) remain free.
- RBI-mandated alerts like OTPs stay free.
- Zero-balance benefit continues for all non-Edge accounts.
EaseMoney Takeaway
Kotak’s 811 remains one of India’s best zero-balance digital accounts.
The only difference after December is a small fee for extra SMS and cash use.
Digital users who mostly used UPI apps or the Kotak app won’t notice any change at all.
Quick Summary — What Changes After December 1, 2025
- ₹0.15 per SMS after 30 free messages.
- Free SMS if you keep ₹5,000 total balance.
- Cash deposits now limited — ₹10,000 free for Lite/Full KYC.
- 811 Super and Edge get 4 free transactions or ₹2 lakh per month.
- Zero-balance rule remains unchanged for 811 Lite, Limited, and Full KYC.
covering – Kotak Bank Introduces ₹0.15 SMS Alert Fee for All Accounts: Here’s the New Minimum Balance Rule to Avoid It
