HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/154

Strict Compliance on DD Issuance for Rs 50,000 and Above

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/154 · issued 16 Aug 2011 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI reiterates that demand drafts, mail transfers, telegraphic transfers, and travellers cheques of Rs 50,000 and above must be issued only against debit to customer account or cheque/instrument, not cash. Violations will be viewed seriously.

What changed

RBI observed that some banks recently issued demand drafts of Rs 50,000 and above against cash deposits, violating the 1991 circular. The regulator has now reiterated strict compliance with the original instructions, warning that any breach will be treated as a serious regulatory concern.

What it means for you

Banks must ensure that all demand drafts, mail transfers, telegraphic transfers, and travellers cheques for Rs 50,000 and above are funded only through account debits or valid instruments, not cash. This is to prevent misuse of banking channels and maintain financial system integrity. Non-compliance could invite regulatory action.

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 Regional Rural Banks, Branch managers and cash handling staff, Compliance and audit teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What instruments are covered under this restriction?

Demand drafts, mail transfers, telegraphic transfers, and travellers cheques for Rs 50,000 and above must not be issued against cash.

What are the acceptable modes of payment for such instruments?

Only debit to the customer's account or against cheques or other instruments tendered by the purchaser are allowed.

What happens if a bank violates this instruction?

RBI has stated that any violation will be viewed seriously, implying potential regulatory action including penalties.

📜 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Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)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 #1435: RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.17/03.05.33/2011-12 — "Misuse of Banking Channels - Issue and Payment of Demand Drafts for Rs.50,000/- and above" dated August 16, 2011”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/154 RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.17/03.05.33/2011-12 August 16, 2011 The Chairman All Regional Rural Banks Dear Sir, Misuse of Banking Channels - Issue and Payment of Demand Drafts for Rs. 50,000/- and above Please refer to our circular RPCD.No.NB.BC.124/RRB.16/90-91 dated May 29, 1991 in terms of which demand drafts, mail transfers, telegraphic transfers and travellers cheques for Rs.50,000/- and above should be issued by banks only by debit to the customer's account or against cheques or other instruments tendered by the purchaser and not against cash payment. 2.  It has been brought to our notice that some banks have recently issued demand drafts of Rs. 50,000/- and above on deposit of cash and not against debit to the customer's account or against cheques or other instruments tendered by the customer. 3.  In the current scenario where the integrity of the financial system in general and the banking channels in particular is of paramount importance, breach of these guidelines is a matter of serious regulatory concern in view of the wide ranging ramifications. 4.  In the above context, we reiterate that the instructions conveyed vide our circular dated May 29, 1991 referred to above may be strictly complied with by banks. Any violation of these instructions will be viewed seriously. Yours faithfully, (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/154 · issued 16 Aug 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly).
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6674&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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