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How To Activate SBI Debit Card Online And Offline?

By Mayashree Acharya

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Updated on: Jan 18th, 2024

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12 min read

The State Bank of India (SBI) offers a wide range of debit cards to suit your needs as a customer. If you have a new debit card from SBI, you need to ensure it is activated before you use it. Otherwise, you may end up having to cancel your payments without alternatives. 

You can activate your SBI debit card in many ways (both online and offline). Read on to find out and decide which suits you the best based on your everyday lifestyle.

Things to Remember Before Activating a Debit Card

Before discussing the different SBI debit card activation methods in detail, let us remember some of the prerequisites: 

  • You must ensure your mobile number is linked to your SBI bank account. This is necessary for OTP authentication to be possible. 
  • SBI sends debit cards to the address you mentioned in the SBI card issuance application. You can also get the card from the SBI bank branch if you have not received it. The card number is required to activate it.
  • For online activation, you must register with SBI internet banking services like ‘Online SBI’ or ‘SBI Yono’ app. 
  • You should be aware of which SBI ATM in your locality is functioning without any glitches if you want to activate a debit card through ATM.

How to Activate the SBI Debit Card through Internet Banking?

Follow the steps below to activate your SBI debit card using SBI’s internet banking system:

Step 1: Log in to the Online SBI portal with your username and password.

Step 2: Go to 'Debit Card Services' under the 'e-services' option and click on ‘ATM cum Debit Card’ option.

SBI Debit Card services

Step 3: Click on the ‘ATM Pin Generation’ option.

SBI ATM PIn Generation

Step 4: Select the mode, i.e. ‘Using One Time Password (OTP)’ or ‘Using Profile Password’ option. Enter the OTP/Profile password. 

SBI debit card OTP

Step 5: The system will show all the account numbers you opened with SBI. Choose the one with which your debit card is linked.

Step 6: Select the debit card for which you want to create a new PIN. You can also change the existing PIN.

Step 7: Enter the first 2 digits of the PIN as per your choice. After that, the system will send the last 2 digits of the PIN to your registered mobile number.

Step 8: Enter all four digits to verify the PIN. Confirm the change.

The system will show a confirmatory message about the newly set PIN for your debit card; now, the card is ready for use.

How to Activate the SBI Debit Card through Toll-Free Number?

You can also call the customer care toll-free helpline number to activate your SBI ATM card:

Step 1: Call SBI customer care at 1800-1234 or 1800-2100 for the mobile number registered with SBI.

Step 2: Enter the last 5 digits of the card number and the last 5 digits of your account number.

Step 3: Next, enter the year of birth

Step 4: You will get the PIN and OTP to your registered number, which will be valid for 2 days.

Step 5: Visit any State Bank ATM within 2 days of receiving the PIN message. 

Step 6: Insert your card, choose 'Banking’, and then the ‘PIN Change' option.

Step 7: Enter the OTP you received.

Step 8: Enter your new PIN and confirm.

Now, your SBI debit card is ready for transactions. 

How to Activate the SBI Debit Card through SMS?

You can also use the SMS service from your mobile number linked with an SBI account to generate a new SBI debit card PIN:

Step 1: Send an SMS to 567676 with the text ‘PIN XXXX ABCD’ where XXXX is the last four digits of your ATM card number and ABCD is the last four digits of your bank account number linked to your SBI card.

Step 2: You will receive a PIN and OTP on your mobile. The OTP will be valid for only 2 days.

Visit any State Bank ATM within 2 days of receiving a PIN message. 

Step 3: Insert your card and choose 'Banking’ and then the ‘PIN Change' option.

Step 4: Enter the OTP you received.

Step 5: Enter your new PIN and confirm.

How to Activate SBI Debit Card through the Yono App?

Yono, also called 'You Only Need One', is a multipurpose mobile application through which SBI provides a range of net banking services. You can use it for paying bills, money transfers, ordering credit cards, debit card activation, and more.

Follow the below steps to activate an SBI debit card online via the Yono app:

Step 1: Download SBI Yono and log in using MPIN.

SBI YONO Login

Step 2: Click on the ‘Accounts’ option available on the home screen.

SBI YONO Debit card

Step 3: Now click on the ‘My Debit Cards’ option.

Step 4: Select your account.

Step 5: Click on the 'Activate Card' option.

SBI YONO Debit card activation

Step 6: Enter the ATM card number of 16 digits and click on the 'Next' button.

Step 7: You will receive an OTP on your registered phone number. Enter the OTP and set the PIN.

How to Activate SBI Debit Card through an ATM? 

Here’s how you can activate a new SBI debit card by going to an SBI ATM:

Step 1: Visit any SBI ATM and insert your debit card.

Step 2: Select the option ‘PIN generation’. 

Step 3: Enter your 11-digit account number and tap ‘Confirm’.

Step 4: Enter your 10-digit mobile number registered with the bank and confirm.

Step 5: You will get the PIN and OTP to your registered number, which will be valid for 2 days.

Step 6: Re-insert your card or go back to the main menu and choose 'Banking’ and then the ‘PIN Change' option.

Step 7: Enter the OTP you received.

Step 8: Enter your new PIN and confirm.

Now, you can use your debit card to make purchases.

All the abovementioned methods will relieve you of the hassle of visiting a branch to activate your ATM card. Now that you know the different methods of activating your SBI debit card, you just need to evaluate and decide which suits you best.

Related SBI Articles:
1. SBI Bank Balance Check Number  
2. How to activate mobile banking in SBI
3. How To Increase UPI Transaction Limit In SBI?
4. How to Apply for SBI ATM Card Online and Offline?
5. SBI Debit Card Charges
6. SBI Net Banking - How to Activate SBI Net Banking?
7. How to Download SBI Life Insurance Premium Receipt?
8. SBI Credit Card Cash Withdrawal Charges
9. SBI Annuity Deposit Scheme 
10. How to Link Aadhaar Card with SBI Bank Account
11. SBI Savings Account Interest Rate & Minimum Balance
12. SBI NEFT Charges
13. SBI ATM Card Block - How To Block SBI ATM Card?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SBI debit card activation?

SBI debit card activation is the process of generating a 4-digit PIN for a card for the first time. You will be required to enter the PIN every time you make a transaction using the debit card.

What happens if I don’t activate my SBI debit card?

Usually, after opening your account, the bank provides you the debit card along with its PIN. Then, you need to activate your card within a specified period. Otherwise, the PIN becomes invalid, and you cannot make any transactions on the card until you generate a new PIN by visiting the Online SBI portal, ATM or bank branch.

What happens after I activate my SBI debit card?

After activating your SBI debit card, you can start making transactions using your card at restaurants, shops, hotels, gas stations, websites, etc., or at any ATM for cash withdrawal.  

How to set a PIN for my SBI debit card?

You can generate a new PIN for your SBI debit card through internet banking (online SBI portal), mobile banking (through the Yono app), and offline (by calling toll-free customer care numbers, sending an SMS, and visiting an SBI ATM).

Why can’t I use my SBI debit card for online purchases after it was activated?

After activation, there can only be very few reasons for a debit card to not work. It could be because of inaccurate information (wrong PIN, wrong card number, incorrect CVV, etc.) entered or an expired card. In addition, if you exceed the card’s daily withdrawal limit at the ATM or online purchase limit, your card will refuse transactions. 

How can I activate my SBI ATM card at home?

You can activate your SBI ATM by generating a new PIN from home (without even visiting the branch or an ATM) through internet banking (online SBI) or mobile banking (Yono app). 

Can my debit card be used for international transactions?

Yes. To enable international transactions from your SBI debit card, you must log in to the Online SBI, navigate to 'e-Services', select 'Debit Card Services’ and then 'ATM Card Limit/Channel/Usage Change'. After that, select your debit account and enter your debit card number. Finally, choose 'Change Usage Type' under 'Select Service' and enable ‘'International Usage'.

When will my SBI debit card expire?

Your debit card will have the expiry date printed on it.

How frequently should I change my ATM PIN?

To keep your ATM PIN secure against misuse, you should change it once every few months.

Can I activate my SBI debit card anytime?

There is no set time for activating your SBI debit card. You can activate it anytime you wish.

How can I activate my SBI card through the app?

You can activate your SBI debit card through the Yono app. Sign in using your MPIN and click on 'Accounts’. Next, choose 'My Debit Cards', select your account and click on the ‘Activate Card’ option. Enter the card number and tap on 'Next'. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number, which you need to enter to generate a new PIN. 

What is the validity period of OTP received from SBI?

The OTP you receive from SBI is valid for only two days.

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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