Millions of investors who had invested their savings in Sahara schemes have finally received a major relief in 2026. The central government has announced an important update regarding the Sahara refund process, allowing eligible depositors to claim refunds of up to ₹10 lakh through the CRCS refund portal. This move is expected to speed up the long-pending refund process and provide financial relief to many investors whose money has remained stuck for years.

The refund process was initiated following directions from the Supreme Court of India, which ordered a systematic mechanism to return funds to genuine depositors of certain Sahara cooperative societies. As part of this effort, the government launched an online refund portal to make the process transparent and accessible to investors across the country.

Refund Limit Increased to ₹10 Lakh

Earlier, the maximum claim limit on the portal was ₹50,000. However, in the latest update, the government has significantly increased this limit to ₹10 lakh. This means investors who had deposited larger amounts in Sahara schemes can now apply to recover a much higher portion of their funds.

This change is especially beneficial for those depositors who were previously unable to claim their full amount due to the earlier cap. Now, they have the opportunity to submit their claims again and receive refunds within the revised limit.

Four Sahara Cooperative Societies Covered

The refund portal is specifically designed for depositors associated with four cooperative societies under the Sahara India Pariwar network. These include:

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  Sahara Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.

  
  


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  Saharayan Universal Multipurpose Society Ltd.

  
  


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  Humara India Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.

  
  


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  Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd.

  
  

Only genuine depositors linked to these societies are eligible to apply for refunds through the CRCS portal. Applicants must ensure that their details match the records maintained by these cooperative institutions.

Resubmission Portal Now Live

In addition to increasing the refund limit, the government has also launched a dedicated resubmission facility on the CRCS portal. This feature is meant for investors whose earlier applications were rejected or marked incomplete due to missing documents or payment issues.

Through the resubmission portal, such applicants can correct errors, upload the required documents, and submit their claims again. Importantly, the resubmission process also allows claims of up to ₹10 lakh, aligning with the updated refund policy.

The entire application process is fully online and free of cost. Investors do not need to pay any fees to submit or resubmit their claims. However, certain requirements must be fulfilled during the application process, including:

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  A mobile number linked with Aadhaar

  
  


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  Bank account details

  
  


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  Supporting documents related to deposits

  
  


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  Identity verification details

  
  

Another important feature of the portal is that depositors connected to multiple Sahara societies can submit all their claims through a single application form.

Verification Process and Timeline

Once an online claim is submitted, the concerned Sahara cooperative societies will verify the details and documents provided by the applicant. This verification process is expected to be completed within 30 days.

After verification, a final decision will be taken within the next 15 days. In total, investors can expect an update regarding their claim within 45 days of submission. Applicants will receive notifications through SMS or updates on the portal.

If the claim is approved, the refund amount will be directly transferred to the depositor’s registered bank account, ensuring a smooth and transparent payment process.

Helpdesk Support for Investors

To assist investors facing technical difficulties while applying or resubmitting their claims, a dedicated helpdesk facility has been provided. Applicants can contact the portal’s helpline numbers — 011-20909044 and 011-20909045 — for guidance.

Additionally, support is available through society-related contact numbers from Monday to Friday, between 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

A Major Relief for Sahara Investors

The latest update on the Sahara refund process has brought renewed hope for millions of investors who have been waiting for years to recover their hard-earned money. By increasing the refund limit and enabling resubmission, the government aims to ensure that more eligible depositors can access their funds in a timely manner.

With the CRCS portal now offering a streamlined and transparent process, investors are encouraged to check their eligibility and submit their claims promptly to take advantage of this opportunity.