What is Green PIN? Generate ATM PIN Without Visiting Bank

India has around 661.8 million debit card users, with increasing numbers. Considering the difficulty faced by people in generating ATM PINs, particularly in rural areas, the State Bank of India introduced Green PIN in 2016 to promote paperless transactions and make it easier for cardholders.

Updated On - 06 Sep 2025

While issuing debit cards or credit cards, most banks, including both the public sector and private sector, provide a PIN that enables card usage at ATMs and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

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How Does Green PIN Work?

The bank introduced Green PIN to popularize paperless banking, benefiting both employees and customers. By availing this facility, cardholders can generate their debit cards PIN through internet banking, SMS, IVR, and ATM as well. Many people hail this initiative as a great move toward saving paper.

Advantages of Green PIN

Listed below are the advantages of the Green PIN initiative:

  1. The employees of the bank don't have to keep physical custody of the ATM PIN as it is risky.
  2. The cardholders won't need to visit the bank to collect their ATM PIN.
  3. The Green PIN initiative will successfully reduce carbon footprint of private and public banks in India.
  4. Customers can avoid delay in the process of getting their PIN and can generate it the day they receive their debit card.
  5. This is a cost-effective initiative as the bank doesn't have to spend money on sending the PIN to the customer via courier or post.
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Difference Between Traditional Printed PIN and Green PIN

The differences between a traditional printed PIN and Green PIN are listed below:

Traditional Printed PIN

Green PIN

The traditional printed PIN comes in a standard printed letter.

A printed letter is not sent.

The activation of the debit card takes some time.

With the instant PIN generation facility, the debit card can be used immediately.

The generation of the duplicate PIN takes several days.

Instant and quick duplicate PIN generation is available.

An initial PIN is assigned by the bank which can be changed later.

A PIN must be made for your card. No PIN is created by the bank.

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How Can a Cardholder Generate Green PIN?

A cardholder can generate their debit cards PIN using the Green PIN initiative through internet banking, ATM or customer care. Listed below are the steps involved in each of these methods:

Generate Green PIN by Stepping into an ATM

Once the cardholder receives their debit card, they can step into the nearest SBI ATM.

Follow the steps listed below to generate green pin using ATM

  1. You must insert your debit card into the ATM machine. When the screen displays the Main Menu, the cardholder must choose the PIN Generation option.
  2. Then, the system will ask the cardholder to enter their 11-digit account number. Once they enter the same, they need to click on the 'Confirm' tab.
  3. Next, the cardholder will need to key-in their registered mobile number twice and confirm it.
  4. After the cardholder enters details that match the bank's records, the system sends a message: "We will deliver your Green PIN shortly to your registered mobile number."
  5. After the cardholder clicks 'Confirm' again, the system displays a message: "Green PIN generation was successful. You will receive it shortly on your registered mobile number."
  6. The cardholder will then receive a message on their phone with a One Time PIN (OTP), which will be valid for 2 days.

Generate Green PIN through SMS

Cardholders can also generate the Green PIN by sending an SMS from their registered mobile number.

Follow the steps listed below to generate green pin using SMS

  1. Cardholders can send an SMS with the text "PIN ABCD EFGH" to 567676. In this message, ABCD refers to the last four digits of their debit card, and EFGH refers to the last four digits of the bank account linked to that card.  
  2. After sending the SMS, the cardholder receives an OTP on their registered mobile number. The OTP will be valid for 2 days and the cardholder needs to use it to generate debit card PIN by visiting their nearest SBI ATM

Generate Green PIN using IVR

Cardholders can call the toll-free customer care helpline of their bank to generate Green PIN on their registered mobile number.

Follow the steps listed below to generate green pin using IVR

  1. Call the toll-free customer care number of their bank.
  2. Follow the instructions and choose 'ATM and Prepaid Services' when the system reads out the list of options.  
  3. Next, the cardholder needs to enter their debit card number twice and confirm it.
  4. The system asks the cardholder to enter the account number linked to the debit card twice and confirm it.
  5. Once the cardholder confirms all the details, they will receive an SMS with a One Time Password (OTP), which will be valid for two days, during which the cardholder can visit any of the ATMs to generate their debit card PIN.

Generate Green PIN using Internet Banking

Cardholders can also use internet banking to generate the Green PIN.

Follow the steps listed below to generate Green PIN using internet banking

  1. Login to the internet banking portal of your bank.
  2. Under the 'Cards' option from the main menu, select the 'PIN generation' option.
  3. Select the card for which you are willing to generate the PIN.
  4. Once you confirm all your details, you will receive an OTP on your registered mobile phone number.
  5. You must validate the OTP directly on the portal.
  6.   After you validate the number, you can create your new PIN.

Generate Green PIN through missed call

Alternatively, cardholders can also use the missed call service offered by banks to generate the Green PIN for their card.

Follow the steps listed below to generate Green PIN through missed call

  1. You need to call your bank’s toll-free missed call service number.
  2. The system disconnects the call automatically.
  3. After this step, the system generates an OTP and sends it to your registered mobile number via SMS.
  4. Next, go to an ATM, insert your debit card, and generate your new ATM PIN.
  5. Select the 'Generate ATM PIN' option and then select the 'Validate OTP' option.
  6. Enter the OTP and the Request ID for validation.
  7. After you complete the verification, create your new PIN.

FAQs on How to Generate Green PIN

  • How can I generate my Green PIN?

    Cardholders can SMS PIN ABCD EFGH (Here, ABCD represents the last four digits of their debit card and EFGH represents the last four digits of their bank account number that is linked to their debit card) to 567676.

  • Is the Green Pin secure?

    Yes, the application of the Green PIN is to encourage paperless transactions and to secure your transactions made from the debit card.

  • Can the Green PIN be generated online?

    Yes, you can generate your Green PIN online through your bank's net banking facility.

  • What is the use of Green PIN?

    Green PIN is a service that allows customers to generate debit card PINs when the card is issued. If you forget your PIN, you can regenerate it through this facility.

  • Do I have to pay any fee for generating Green PIN?

    No, you don't need to pay any fee for generating Green PIN.

  • How to check if a bank provides the Green PIN facility?

    Most banks have begun to offer the Green PIN facility. However, it is recommended that you check with your bank about the same.

  • Who is eligible to avail the Green PIN facility?

    All customers are eligible to avail themselves of the Green PIN facility.

  • Can I generate Green PIN through IVR?

    Yes, you can generate Green PIN through IVR

  • Can I generate Green PIN at any ATM?

    No, Green PIN can only be generated at the respective bank's ATM.

  • How can I request a green PIN through SMS from SBI?

    Type the PIN 0000 1111 (0000 stands for the debit card's final four numbers and 1111 for the bank account number connected to the debit card) and send it to 567676.

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