Can a child open a savings bank account with mother as the guardian?

Yes, a minor's savings bank account can be opened with the mother as the guardian.

In a recent notification on the operation of bank accounts of minors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said, "Minors of any age may be allowed to open and operate savings and term deposit accounts through his/her natural or legal guardian. They may also be allowed to open such accounts with mother as guardian..."

The RBI has allowed the opening of savings and fixed deposit accounts of minors with mothers as guardians since 1976.

In a circular dated December 29, 1976, the RBI had asked banks to allow "minors' accounts (fixed and savings only) with mothers as guardians to be opened." However, the central bank had also suggested banks to take adequate safeguards.

"...such accounts could be opened by banks provided they take adequate safeguards in allowing operations in the accounts by ensuring that the minors' accounts opened with mothers as guardians are not allowed to be overdrawn and that they always remain in credit. In this way, the minors' capacity to enter into contract would not be a subject matter of dispute. If this precaution is taken, the banks' interests would be adequately protected," the RBI had said in its 1976 circular.

Before December 1976, women faced difficulties in opening bank accounts in the names of minors, with mothers as their guardians. Back then, banks followed a law that stipulated that the father alone would be deemed to be the guardian.