Message claiming SBI withdrawal curbs from November 1 is false, says Maharashtra information directorate

A message circulating on social media has caused alarm among State Bank of India customers. It claims that from November 1, 2026, restrictions will be placed on SBI customers and they will not be able to carry out transactions. According to the message, banking sector rules have suddenly changed and the restrictions were imposed within 24 hours. It also says that from November 1, customers will be able to withdraw money neither from ATMs nor from the bank.

Several rules have in any case changed from November 1, 2026. Prices of items such as gas, milk and curd have risen sharply, and customers will have to pay more for many goods. Against this backdrop, the message left many people sleepless. With Diwali near, people were shaken at the thought of being unable to withdraw money from the bank.

The reason for the worry is clear. Most people today do not keep much cash, and their money stays in the bank. Many people therefore rushed to ATMs as soon as they saw the message. Shopping is also heavy during Diwali, and the fear of being unable to withdraw money at that time was troubling people.

The message is said to have originated from some technical incidents linked to the bank. A few days ago, records containing personal information of 3,897 customers of the bank were found on the dark web. The bank confirmed this and took the matter seriously. An investigation was begun through SERT-in, the nodal agency for cyber security. During this, it emerged that there had been some lapse or misuse in a technical cyber security process. A rumour then spread that the bank's transactions were about to stop altogether.

Following the viral message, the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations of the Maharashtra government issued a clarification. It said clearly that the message doing the rounds on social media, about a ban on withdrawals from November 1, is entirely misleading. Account holders can carry out 100 per cent of their transactions. On November 1 and after it, customers will be able to carry out every bank transaction.