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HDFC Debit Card Activation - How To Activate HDFC Debit Card?

By Mayashree Acharya

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Updated on: Jan 17th, 2025

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5 min read

When you open a savings or current account with HDFC Bank, you can opt for a debit card to facilitate transactions. However, activating the debit card is essential for accessing features like ATM withdrawals, online payments, or contactless transactions.

HDFC Bank offers multiple ways to activate your debit card, including mobile banking, net banking, and ATMs. Read on to explore step-by-step guidance for activating your HDFC debit card using these convenient methods.

How to Activate HDFC Debit Card?

Activating your HDFC debit card is straightforward and can be done through both online and offline methods. Below are the different ways you can activate your debit card to start enjoying its benefits:

Through an ATM

Follow these steps to activate your HDFC debit card through an ATM:

  • Step 1: Visit the HDFC Bank ATM near you and insert your debit card, which you received in the welcome kit from your bank.
  • Step 2: Enter the card PIN given in the welcome kit.
  • Step 3: Once you enter the PIN, you will be prompted to change your debit card PIN.
  • Step 4: Set a new PIN for your HDFC debit card and use it for future transactions. 

Through Phone Banking

Follow these steps to activate the HDFC debit card via phone banking:

  • Step 1: Call the HDFC Bank’s phone banking number.
  • Step 2: Provide the phone banking PIN provided in the bank’s welcome kit or answer the security questions to verify yourself. 
  • Step 3: Once the verification is complete, follow the instructions to activate your HDFC debit card.

Through NetBanking

You can also activate your HDFC debit card through NetBanking. To do this, you can follow this simple procedure:

  • Step 1: Visit the official net banking website of HDFC Bank and log in with your credentials.
  • Step 2: Click on the ‘Debit Cards’ section under the ‘Pay’ tab. 
  • Step 3: Select your debit card and click ‘Set PIN’.
  • Step 4: Enter the HDFC card number you received in the welcome kit and create a new PIN.
  • Step 5: Authenticate the PIN by entering the OTP received on your registered phone number.
  • Step 6: After successful authentication, you can use your HDFC debit card as it is activated.

How to Enable HDFC Debit Cards for Online Transactions?

There are two methods of enabling your HDFC debit card for online transactions. Here is a step-by-step guide to both methods.

Via Internet Banking

If you want to enable your HDFC debit card for online transactions via Internet banking, you must follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Log-in to your HDFC NetBanking Account 
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Pay’ tab appearing on the menu bar.
  • Step 3: Under the ‘Cards’ tab, click the ‘Debit Card’ option.
  • Step 4: Under ‘Requests’, click the ‘Set Card Usage/Limits’ option and select the HDFC debit card you want to enable for online transactions.
  • Step 5: Select the ‘Daily Domestic Usage/Limits’ and click ‘ON’ on the ‘Online Usage’.
  • Step 6: Set the transaction limit and click ‘Continue’ to save the changes.
  • Step 7: Confirm your selection and click the ‘Continue’ button.

Via Mobile Banking

However, if you want to enable an HDFC debit card for online transactions through mobile banking, you can follow these simple steps below:

  • Step 1: Open the HDFC mobile application and log in with your credentials.
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Menu’ option on the top right corner of the application.
  • Step 3: Open the ‘Pay’ option from the menu bar.
  • Step 4: Select ‘Cards’ and choose the ‘Debit Cards’ option.
  • Step 5: Click on the HDFC debit card you want to enable online transactions.
  • Step 6: On the next page, click the ‘Show More’ option and click on the ‘Limits’ section.
  • Step 7: Under the ‘Domestic’ section, turn ‘ON’ the toggle button against the ‘Online’ option and set the limit for online transactions.
  • Step 8: Click the ‘Confirm’ button at the end of the page. 
  • Step 9: Click ‘Continue’ on the next page and enter your ATM PIN and the expiry date of your HDFC debit card. 
  • Step 10: Press the ‘Continue’ option to save changes and to use your HDFC debit card for online transactions.

How to Enable Contactless Transactions for HDFC Debit Cards?

All HDFC debit cards support contactless transactions, but you need to enable this feature before use. Here are two methods to activate contactless payments on your HDFC debit card:

Via Net Banking

To enable contactless transactions for HDFC debit cards, you can follow this step-by-step guide:

  • Step 1: Log-in to your HDFC NetBanking Account 
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Pay’ tab appearing on the menu bar.
  • Step 3: Under the ‘Cards’ tab, click the ‘Debit Card’ option.
  • Step 4: Under ‘Requests’, click the ‘Set Card Usage/Limits’ option and select the HDFC debit card for which you want to enable contactless transactions.
  • Step 5: Select the ‘Daily Domestic Usage/Limits’ and click ‘ON’ on the ‘Contactless Usage’.
  • Step 6: Set the transaction limit and click ‘Continue’ to save the changes.
  • Step 7: Confirm your selection and click the ‘Continue’ button.

Via Mobile Banking

However, you can follow these steps if you want to enable contactless transactions for HDFC debit cards through mobile banking:

  • Step 1: Open the HDFC mobile application and log in with your credentials.
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Menu’ option on the top right corner of the application.
  • Step 3: Open the ‘Pay’ option from the menu bar.
  • Step 4: Select ‘Cards’ and choose the ‘Debit Cards’ option.
  • Step 5: Click on the HDFC debit card you want to enable contactless transactions.
  • Step 6: On the next page, click the ‘Show More’ option and click on the ‘Limits’ section.
  • Step 7: Under the ‘Domestic’ section, turn ‘ON’ the toggle button against the ‘Contactless’ option and set the limit for contactless transactions.
  • Step 8: Click the ‘Confirm’ button at the end of the page. 
  • Step 9: Click ‘Continue’ on the next page and enter your ATM PIN and the expiry date of your HDFC debit card. 
  • Step 10: Press the ‘Continue’ option to save changes and to use your HDFC debit card for contactless transactions.

How to Enable International Transactions on HDFC Debit Cards?

To use your HDFC debit card for international transactions, you can follow either of the two methods discussed below.

Via Internet Banking

You can follow this simple step-by-step guide to enable your HDFC debit card for international transactions via internet banking:

  • Step 1: Log-in to your HDFC NetBanking Account  
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Pay’ tab appearing on the menu bar.
  • Step 3: Under the ‘Cards’ tab, click the ‘Debit Card’ option.
  • Step 4: Under ‘Requests’, select the ‘Set Card Controls/Usage Limits’ option and choose the card you want to enable for international transactions.
  • Step 5: Click the ‘Continue’ button and select ‘Daily International Usage/Limits’.
  • Step 6: Toggle the ‘ON’ button to turn on international transactions for your HDFC debit card.

Via Mobile Banking

However, if you want to enable international transactions on your HDFC debit card via mobile banking, you can follow these simple steps:

  • Step 1: Open the HDFC mobile application and log in with your credentials.
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Menu’ option on the top right corner of the application.
  • Step 3: Open the ‘Pay’ option from the menu bar.
  • Step 4: Select ‘Cards’ and choose the ‘Debit Cards’ option.
  • Step 5: Click on the HDFC debit card you want to enable international transactions.
  • Step 6: On the next page, click the ‘Show More’ option and click on the ‘Limits’ section.
  • Step 7: Under the ‘International’ section, turn the toggle button ‘ON’ to enable international transactions for your HDFC debit card. 

Activating your HDFC debit card is essential to unlock its benefits and streamline transactions. It grants access to instant cash, effortless bill payments, and secure, convenient usage. Follow the outlined steps to activate your card and take advantage of its features and exclusive offers.

Related HDFC Articles:
1. HDFC NetBanking
2. HDFC Life New Immediate Annuity Plan Interest Rate and Benefits
3. HDFC Credit Card Cash Withdrawal Charges
4. How to Link Aadhaar with HDFC Bank Account Online and Offline?
5. HDFC Bank Savings Account Interest Rate & Minimum Balance
6. HDFC Bank Customer ID - How To Get/Find HDFC Customer ID?
7. HDFC Credit Card Status - HDFC Bank Credit Card Application Status
8. How to Generate HDFC Debit Card PIN
9. How To Close HDFC Bank Account Online And Offline
10. How To Activate HDFC Credit Card

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I activate my HDFC debit card online?

Yes, you can activate your HDFC debit card online. You can do it through HDFC NetBanking.

Do I need my temporary PIN to activate my debit card?

Yes, you require the temporary PIN you received through the welcome kit to activate your HDFC debit card. However, the temporary PIN is valid for a certain period. You must activate your debit card within this period, or else you will have to activate your card by visiting the bank personally or through phone banking. 

What is the difference between activating and generating a PIN for my debit card?

Activating a PIN for your HDFC debit card refers to starting to use your new card for various financial transactions. On the other hand, generating a PIN for your debit card refers to creating a new PIN for it. However, when you activate your card, you must generate a new PIN for further use.

Can I change my debit card PIN later?

Yes, you can change your HDFC debit card PIN later. You can use both online and offline modes to change the PIN of your debit card.

Are there any charges to activate a card via net banking?

No, you do not have to pay any fee to activate your HDFC debit card via net banking. However, you have to pay Rs. 50 for regenerating the HDFC debit card PIN through ‘PIN Regeneration’ in net banking.

Is it safe to use HDFC net banking to activate a debit card?

Yes, using HDFC net banking to activate your HDFC debit card is safe. The net banking option ensures the highest level of secure encryption and keeps your details confidential. 

Can I activate an HDFC debit card through any ATM?

It is advisable to activate your HDFC debit card through HDFC ATM to avoid any extra charges the bank imposes.

How do I activate my HDFC debit card for international usage?

You can easily activate your HDFC debit card for international usage. You can either opt for net banking or mobile banking to enable international transactions on your card. 

Are there any charges for activating my HDFC debit card?

No, there are no charges for activating your HDFC debit card. Nevertheless, you must pay Rs. 50, if you opt to regenerate your HDFC debit card PIN via ‘PIN Regeneration’ in net banking.

What should I do if I have any problems activating my HDFC debit card?

If you face any problem while activating your HDFC debit card, you must immediately contact the HDFC Bank branch where you have opened the account.

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About the Author

I am an advocate by profession and have a keen interest in writing. I write articles in various categories, from legal, business, personal finance, and investments to government schemes. I put words in a simplified manner and write easy-to-understand articles. Read more

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