HDFC Bank issues both its loans and its credit cards, so one grievance route covers both. This guide explains how to ask HDFC Bank about a payment plan or settlement, how its three complaint levels work and when you can go to the RBI Ombudsman. HDFC Bank decides any settlement under its own policy; there is no fixed percentage.
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HDFC Bank also publishes a page listing the RBI Ombudsman offices. Use it with the RBI complaint portal if you need to escalate.
HDFC Bank issues its credit cards itself, so card and loan complaints both go through HDFC Bank's grievance levels.
Before asking HDFC Bank to settle card dues: ask whether the dues can be converted into EMIs. This costs interest but avoids a "settled" remark. If you do ask for settlement, get the written offer first, pay only to the card account through official channels, and collect the closure or settlement letter and confirm the card is closed. For SBI cards (issued by SBI Card, a separate company), see the SBI guide.
The 10-working-day Level 1 target and the three-level structure are taken from HDFC Bank's grievance redressal page (checked 29 Oct 2026).
No reply in 30 days, or a reply you don't accept? You can complain to the RBI Ombudsman. See the full complaint steps.
The RBI rules on recovery calls and the checks before you pay are the same for every bank. See help with recovery pressure, the RBI Ombudsman complaint guide and the settlement letter checklist.
Write to HDFC Bank explaining why you cannot pay, with proof. The bank checks your case under its own board-approved policy, as RBI's June 2023 rules allow. If it agrees, get the settlement letter first, pay only into the bank's official account, and then ask for a no-dues letter.
The bank may offer an EMI plan or, if you are in real hardship, a settlement under its own policy. It does not have to. Ask in writing, and read our credit card settlement guide to know what to check before you agree.
HDFC Bank's grievance redressal page asks for up to 10 working days to resolve a Level 1 complaint. If it is not resolved, you can go to the Grievance Redressal Cell (Level 2) and then the Principal Nodal Officer (Level 3).
First complain to the bank. If it does not reply within 30 days, or you do not accept its reply, you can complain free at cms.rbi.org.in within 90 days of the end of that period or the bank's last reply, whichever is later — if your lender is covered by RB-IOS 2026 (housing finance companies and smaller NBFCs are not). Complaints filed before 1 July 2026 stay under the 2021 scheme. See our [RBI Ombudsman complaint guide](/blog/rbi-ombudsman-complaint-guide).
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