HomeCirculars › RBI/2008-09/477

RRBs Must Acknowledge Nomination and Display Nominee Name

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/477 · issued 13 May 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates RRBs to acknowledge nomination forms in writing, display 'Nomination Registered' on passbooks/FDRs, and optionally print nominee names. Compliance with Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 1985 is mandatory.

What changed

RBI observed that some RRBs fail to acknowledge nomination forms or provide acknowledgements to customers. The circular reinforces existing rules requiring written acknowledgement for nomination, cancellation, or variation, and directs RRBs to record nomination status on passbooks and term deposit receipts. It also encourages indicating the nominee's name on documents if the customer agrees.

What it means for you

RRBs must tighten their operational processes to ensure every customer receives a written acknowledgement for nomination-related submissions, regardless of whether they ask for it. This reduces legal ambiguity for claimants after a depositor's death. Banks need to update their passbook printing systems and staff training to comply without fail.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), RRB customers (depositors and locker hirers), Nominees of RRB account holders

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Do we need to give an acknowledgement even if the customer doesn't ask for it?

Yes, the circular explicitly states that acknowledgement must be given to all customers irrespective of whether they demand it or not.

Can we print the nominee's name on the passbook without the customer's consent?

No, the circular advises indicating the nominee's name only if the customer is agreeable to it. Consent must be obtained first.

What should we do if our current system doesn't print 'Nomination Registered' on passbooks?

You must upgrade your passbook printing system to include this legend for accounts with nomination. For existing passbooks, consider issuing a supplementary slip or sticker until the next update.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1936: RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.103/03.05.28-A/2008-09 — "Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 1985 - Acknowledgement of Nomination and indicating the Name of the Nominee ”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/477 RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.103/03.05.28-A/2008-09  May 13, 2009 All Regional Rural Banks Dear Sir, Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 1985 – Acknowledgement of Nomination and indicating the Name of the Nominee in Pass Books / Fixed Deposit Receipts It has been brought to our notice that some Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) do not have the system of acknowledging the receipt of the duly completed form of nomination, cancellation and /or variation of the nomination. Further, it is also understood that in some RRBs, although there is a system of acknowledgement of nomination as provided in the Savings Bank account opening form, such acknowledgements are actually not given to the customers. In this connection, you may be aware that in terms of Rules 2 (9), 3 (8) and 4 (9) of the Banking Companies Nomination (Rules), 1985, they are required to acknowledge in writing to the depositor(s) / locker hirers (s) the filing of the relevant duly completed Form of nomination, cancellation and / or variation of the nomination. 2. Regional Rural Banks are therefore advised to strictly comply with the provisions of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 1985 and devise a proper system of acknowledging the receipt of the duly completed form of nomination, cancellation and / or variation of the nomination. Such acknowledgement should be given to all the customers irrespective of whether the same is demanded by the customers or not. 3. When a bank account holder has availed himself/herself of nomination facility, the same may be indicated on the passbook so that in case of death of the account holder, the relatives can know from the pass book that the nomination facility has been availed of by the deceased depositor and take suitable action. RRBs may, accordingly, introduce the practice of recording on the face of the passbook the position regarding availment of nomination facility with the legend "Nomination Registered". This may be done in the case of term deposit receipts also. 4. In addition, RRBs are also advised to indicate the name of the Nominee in the Pass Book/ Statement of Accounts/ FDRs, in case the customer is agreeable to the same , as this would be helpful to the customers/nominees. Yours faithfully, (B.P. Vijayendra) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/477 · issued 13 May 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4983&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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