HomeCirculars › RBI/2010-11/190

Cheque Return Memo Must Now Show Date of Return

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/190 · issued 01 Sep 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates that all banks must mention the 'date of return' on the Cheque Return Memo for dishonoured cheques, effective from the date of the circular (September 1, 2010). This ensures legal clarity and uniform practices across all scheduled commercial banks, RRBs, and cooperative banks.

What changed

RBI has directed banks to compulsorily include the 'date of return' in the Cheque Return Memo for dishonoured or returned cheques. This follows instances where banks omitted this critical detail, which is essential for legal recourse under the Uniform Regulations and Rules for Bankers’ Clearing Houses.

What it means for you

Banks must update their cheque return processes to ensure every return memo includes the exact date of return. This reduces legal ambiguity for customers pursuing action under the Negotiable Instruments Act and aligns with existing clearing house rules. Non-compliance could expose banks to customer disputes or regulatory scrutiny.

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

All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs, Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, and District Central Co-operative Banks (as a combined category)

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Why is the 'date of return' important on a cheque return memo?

The date of return is critical for legal proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act, as it establishes the timeline for dishonour and helps customers take timely action.

Does this apply to all types of banks?

Yes, the directive covers all scheduled commercial banks, including regional rural banks, and all categories of cooperative banks.

What happens if a bank fails to mention the date of return?

While the circular does not specify penalties, omitting the date could weaken the legal validity of the return memo and lead to customer complaints or regulatory action.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/190 DPSS.CO.CHD.No.485/03.06.01/2010-11 September 1, 2010 The Chairman and Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs / Urban Co-operative Banks / State Co-operative Banks / District Central Co-operative Banks Madam / Dear Sir, Dishonour / Return of Cheques - Need to Mention the 'Date of Return' in the Cheque Return Memo As you are aware, the 'Cheque Return Memo' that should accompany a cheque dishonoured / returned for any reason is a critical document, more so in case recourse to legal action is necessitated. The procedure for handling dishonoured cheques including the return / dispatch thereof to the payee has been advised, vide, Reserve Bank circular DBOD.BC.Leg.No.113 / 09.12.001 /2002-03 dated June 26, 2003 . Rule 6 of the Uniform Regulations and Rules for Bankers’ Clearing Houses (URRBCH) also prescribes that instruments returned unpaid should have a signed / initialed objection slip on which a definite and valid reason for refusing payment must be stated. Format of the Return Memo (including the field for indicating the Date of Return) and the Model List of Objections is contained in Annexure D to the URRBCH. Certain instances of banks not mentioning the date of return on the Cheque Return Memo have been brought to our notice. Keeping in view the larger interests of customers and to ensure that uniform practices are adopted, banks are hereby advised to indicate the 'date of return' in the Cheque Return Memo without fail. Yours faithfully, (P.Vasudevan) Deputy General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/190 · issued 01 Sep 2010. 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=5978&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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