Cheque Book: Application Process, Online Request & Charges

What is a Cheque Book?

A cheque book is a booklet of pre-printed cheque leaves issued by your bank, allowing you to make payments by writing a cheque. Each cheque leaf is a negotiable instrument under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, authorising your bank to pay a specified amount to the named payee from your account.

Despite the rise of digital payments, cheque books remain essential in India for high-value transactions, vendor payments, government dealings, EPF/PF withdrawals (cancelled cheque), and situations where electronic transfer is not accepted. All cheques in India are processed under the Cheque Truncation System (CTS) 2010 standard.

How to Apply for Bank Cheque Book — 3 Methods

Method 1: Via Mobile Banking App (Easiest)

• Open mobile banking app and log in.
• Tap on 'Accounts' from the home screen.
• Select your savings account.
• Scroll to 'Service Requests' and tap 'Cheque Book Request'.
• Select the number of cheque leaves required (25, 50, or 100).
• Confirm your registered mailing address.
• Submit the request you will receive an SMS confirmation.

Method 2: Via Net Banking

• Log in to Net Banking
• Navigate to 'My Accounts' → 'Service Requests'.
• Select 'Cheque Book Request'.
• Choose the number of leaves and confirm your delivery address.
• Submit — a reference number will be generated.

Method 3: At Nearest Bank Branch

• Visit your nearest Bank branch
• Fill out a cheque book request form (available at the branch).
• Submit with your passbook or account details for verification.
• Cheque book will be dispatched to your registered address.

Bank Cheque Book Charges

Cheque book charges vary by account type. Generally:

• First cheque book:** Typically complimentary (as per your account type terms).
• Subsequent cheque books:** Charges apply — refer to Bank's Schedule of Charges available on your bank website or ask at your branch.
• Personalized cheque books:** May carry additional charges.
• Charges are subject to GST @ 18%*

How to Fill a Cheque Correctly — Step by Step

An incorrectly filled cheque can lead to bounce, rejection, or fraud. Always follow these guidelines:

• Date:** Write the date in the format DD/MM/YYYY. Never issue post-dated cheques for routine payments without disclosing it.
• Payee Name (Pay to):** Write the full name of the person or company clearly in block letters. Draw a line after the name to prevent additions.
• Amount in Numbers:** Write the amount in the box provided, close to the ₹ symbol. No space before or after the amount.
• Amount in Words:** Write the amount clearly starting from the left edge. Add 'Only' at the end (e.g., 'Ten Thousand Rupees Only').
• Account Number:** Some cheque formats have a field for the payee's account number — fill it if required.
• Signature:** Sign in the same style as your bank records — signature mismatch is the most common cheque rejection reason.
• Account Payee Crossing:** Draw two parallel lines in the top-left corner with 'A/C Payee' written between them — this makes the cheque non-transferable and payable only to the named payee's account.

CTS (Cheque Truncation System): How Digital Cheque Clearing Works

India's Cheque Truncation System (CTS) was introduced in 2010 by RBI and revolutionised cheque processing. Under CTS:

• The physical cheque is scanned at the presenting bank branch.
• A digital image is transmitted electronically to the clearing house.
• The drawee bank (your bank) verifies the digital image instead of the physical cheque.
• Cheque clearing happens within T+1 business day (next business day after presentation).
• Physical cheques no longer need to travel between cities — reducing clearing time from 5–7 days to just 1 day.

Cheque Bounce: Reasons and Legal Consequences

A cheque 'bounces' or is 'dishonoured' when the bank refuses to process it. Common reasons include:

• Insufficient funds:** Account balance is less than the cheque amount.
• Signature mismatch:** Your signature does not match bank records.
• Overwriting:** Corrections or overwriting on the cheque without counter-signature.
• Stale cheque:** Cheque presented more than 3 months after the issue date.
• Mismatch in words and figures:** Amount written in words differs from the numeric amount.

Legal consequences of cheque bounce (NI Act Section 138): A cheque bounce is a criminal offence in India under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Consequences include:

• The payee can send a written demand notice within 30 days of receiving the bounce memo.
• If payment is not made within 15 days of the notice, the payee can file a criminal complaint.
• Penalties: fine up to twice the cheque amount and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.

present them before they become stale.

Conclusion

A cheque book remains a useful banking facility for making payments, handling business transactions and meeting situations where cheques are still required. You can request a cheque book conveniently through mobile banking, net banking or by visiting a bank branch. Before issuing a cheque, ensure that all details are filled in correctly, your signature matches bank records and sufficient funds are available to avoid rejection or bounce. Understanding cheque book charges, validity, CTS clearing and safe cheque practices can help you use this facility securely and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many cheque leaves does Bank provide free of charge?

The number of free cheque leaves depends on your account type refer to Bank's Schedule of Charges or contact customer care for your specific account's entitlement.

How long does cheque book delivery take?

After submitting your cheque book request via bank app or net banking, the cheque book is typically delivered within 5–7 working days to your registered mailing address via courier.

What is the MICR code on a cheque?

The MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) code is a 9-digit code at the bottom of your cheque: the first 3 digits represent the city, the next 3 identify the bank, and the final 3 identify the branch. It is used for automated clearing under India's CTS system.

For how long is a cheque valid?

A cheque is valid for 3 months from the date written on it. After 3 months, it becomes a 'stale cheque' and will be returned unpaid.