Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are increasingly facing banking access problems linked to Indian mobile numbers used abroad, especially for receiving OTPs required for net banking, UPI, and financial transactions.
Many Indian banks continue to rely heavily on OTP-based authentication systems tied to Indian SIM cards. However, NRIs living overseas often face delayed message delivery, roaming issues, or even SIM deactivation due to prolonged inactivity. This can temporarily block access to bank accounts and digital payment services.
Experts advise NRIs to keep their Indian SIM active through periodic recharge plans and regular usage while enabling international roaming before leaving India. Linking email-based alerts and updating overseas contact details with banks can also reduce risks of losing account access.
Several banks are also gradually introducing app-based authentication and international mobile number support, but OTP dependency remains a major challenge for many NRIs managing finances remotely. Analysts say the issue highlights the urgent need for more flexible and globally accessible banking authentication systems.
