The Government of India has informed Parliament that Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are currently operating more than 1.11 crore deposit lockers across the country. At the same time, the Government stated that 40 cases of locker theft have been established in PSBs during the five financial years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The Government also said that zero locker thefts have been reported in public sector banks in financial year 2025-26.
More Than 1.11 Crore Lockers Available in Public Sector Banks
According to the Government, 1,11,11,077 deposit lockers were operational in Public Sector Banks as on 31 March 2026. The Government also clarified that a total of 40 confirmed cases of locker theft were reported during the period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26. The year-wise, bank-wise and state-wise details of these cases have also been shared in the reply.
PSB-wise, Year-wise Established Cases of Locker Theft During FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26
| Sl. No. | Public Sector Bank | FY 2021-22 | FY 2022-23 | FY 2023-24 | FY 2024-25 | FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (i) | Bank of Baroda | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (ii) | Bank of India | 1 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| (iii) | Bank of Maharashtra | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (iv) | Canara Bank | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (v) | Central Bank of India | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (vi) | Indian Bank | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (vii) | Indian Overseas Bank | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (viii) | Punjab & Sind Bank | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (ix) | Punjab National Bank | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (x) | State Bank of India | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| (xi) | UCO Bank | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (xii) | Union Bank of India | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | — | 16 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
The data shows that the highest number of established locker theft cases was reported during FY 2022-23, while no confirmed case was reported during FY 2025-26.
Among Public Sector Banks, Central Bank of India reported the highest number of established locker theft cases during the five-year period, followed by Bank of India and State Bank of India (SBI).
- Central Bank of India: 14 cases
- Bank of India: 14 cases
- State Bank of India (SBI): 10 cases
- Indian Bank: 1 case
- Indian Overseas Bank: 1 case
The Government also released state-wise data of established locker theft cases. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of cases with 18, followed by Jharkhand with 12 and Maharashtra with 5.
The state-wise figures are:
- Uttar Pradesh – 18 cases
- Jharkhand – 12 cases
- Maharashtra – 5 cases
- Andhra Pradesh – 1 case
- Bihar – 1 case
- Chhattisgarh – 1 case
- Gujarat – 1 case
- Haryana – 1 case
What happens in case of Locker Theft?
Under the existing RBI guidelines, banks can be held liable for loss of locker contents if the loss occurs due to fire, theft, burglary, dacoity, robbery, building collapse, or employee fraud, provided the loss is attributable to the bank’s negligence or deficiency in service. In such situations, the bank’s liability is limited to an amount equal to 100 times the prevailing annual locker rent.
