RBI Report: ATMs Decline by 3,000 in a Year as Digital Payments Soar, Bank Branches Rise

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported a decline of nearly 3,000 ATMs across the country within one year, totaling 2,51,057 by March 2025.
• The primary reason for the ATM reduction is the surge in digital payments, which has significantly reduced cash usage.
• Private sector banks saw a higher decline in ATMs, while public sector bank ATMs also decreased.
• Despite the ATM decline, the number of bank branches increased by 2.8% to 1.64 lakh, with public sector banks opening most new branches in rural/semi-urban areas.
• White Label ATMs increased to 36,216, and 97.6% of bank accounts are covered by deposit insurance up to 5 lakh rupees.

Why It Matters: Digital payments are transforming banking, leading to fewer ATMs but more bank branches and robust deposit insurance.