Home › Circulars › RBI/2012-13/313

Nomination Forms: Only Thumb Impressions Need Witnesses

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/313 · issued 03 Dec 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that under the Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985, only thumb impressions on nomination forms require attestation by two witnesses; signatures do not need witness attestation.

What changed

RBI received queries from banks about witness requirements on nomination forms. It has now clarified that only thumb impressions on forms DA1-DA3, SC1-SC3, and SL1-SL3A must be attested by two witnesses. Signatures of account holders do not require any witness attestation.

What it means for you

This reduces paperwork and operational burden for urban co-operative banks when processing nominations. Banks can now accept signature-only nominations without arranging witnesses, speeding up customer service. However, strict compliance is expected for thumb impression cases to prevent fraud.

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

Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Bank branch staff handling nomination forms, Customers opening deposits, safe custody, or locker facilities

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Which nomination forms are covered by this clarification?

Forms DA1, DA2, DA3 for bank deposits; SC1, SC2, SC3 for safe custody articles; and SL1, SL1A, SL2, SL3, SL3A for safety lockers.

Do signatures on nomination forms need witness attestation?

No, only thumb impressions require attestation by two witnesses. Signatures alone do not need any witness.

What is the legal basis for these nomination rules?

The Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 are framed under Section 52 read with Sections 45-ZA, 45-ZC, 45-ZE and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

📜 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Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)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 #1199: UBD.BPD (PCB)Cir.No.25/13.01.000/2012-13 — "The Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 - Clarifications" dated December 3, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/313 UBD.BPD (PCB) Cir.No. 25 /13.01.000//2012-13 December 3, 2012 The Chief Executive Officer All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Dear Sir/Madam, The Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 - Clarifications As you are aware, the Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 have been framed in exercise of powers conferred under Section 52, read with Sections 45-ZA, 45-ZC, 45-ZE and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949). The nomination forms for bank deposits (Form No.DA1, DA2, and DA3), articles in safe custody (Form No.SC1, SC2, SC3) and safety lockers (Form No. SL1, SL1A, SL2, SL3 and SL3A) have also been prescribed in the Nomination Rules. These forms, inter alia prescribe that the thumb impression of the account holder is required to be attested by two witnesses. 2. In this regard, certain queries were received from some banks and we clarify that for the various Forms (DA1, DA2, and DA3 for Bank Deposits, Forms SC1, SC2 and SC3 for articles in safe custody and Forms SL1, SL1A, SL2, SL3 and SL3A for Safety Lockers) prescribed under the Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 only Thumb-impression(s) shall be attested by two witnesses. The signatures of the account holders need not be attested by witnesses. 3. Banks are advised to ensure strict compliance of the instructions as per the clarification given above. Yours faithfully, (A. Udgata) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/313 · issued 03 Dec 2012. 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=7727&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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