CTS-2010 Cheque Migration Deadline Extended to March 31, 2013
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/335 · issued 14 Dec 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI extends the deadline for withdrawing non-CTS-2010 cheques and replacing post-dated EMI cheques to March 31, 2013. After this, residual non-CTS cheques will be cleared less frequently. Banks must complete the migration and customer awareness efforts by the new date.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must stop using old cheques (non-CTS-2010) and replace them with new secure cheques (CTS-2010) by March 31, 2013.
If a customer gives a post-dated cheque (a cheque dated in the future) for a loan payment, the bank must swap the old cheque for a new one before the deadline.
After March 31, 2013, any leftover old cheques will still be accepted but will be processed much slower (cleared less often), which may cause delays.
Banks must tell customers about this change and help them understand why they need new cheques.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in Indore has a pile of post-dated EMI cheques from customers who took loans for their jewelry. She knows that after March 31, 2013, those old cheques will clear only once a week instead of daily. So she calls each customer to come swap their old cheques for new CTS-2010 ones, explaining that this will keep their payments smooth and avoid any late fees.
What changed
The earlier deadline of December 31, 2012 for withdrawing non-CTS-2010 standard cheques and replacing post-dated EMI cheques has been extended to March 31, 2013. This follows representations from stakeholders seeking more time. After the extended deadline, any residual non-CTS-2010 cheques presented will still be accepted but cleared at less frequent intervals, with modalities and charges to be communicated separately.
What it means for you
Banks now have an additional three months to complete the migration to CTS-2010 standard cheques, reducing immediate operational pressure. However, the less frequent clearing of non-CTS cheques after March 31, 2013 will create processing delays and potential customer dissatisfaction. Banks must accelerate replacement of post-dated EMI cheques held for themselves or NBFC clients to avoid future clearing disruptions.
What you must do
Ensure all non-CTS-2010 cheques are withdrawn and replaced with CTS-2010 standard cheques by March 31, 2013.
Prioritize replacement of post-dated EMI cheques received on your own behalf or for NBFC clients before the new deadline.
Continue customer awareness campaigns to inform account holders about the migration and the less frequent clearing of residual non-CTS cheques after March 31, 2013.
Prepare for the separate communication on modalities and charges for clearing residual non-CTS cheques, and update internal processes accordingly.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs, Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks, Local Area Banks, NBFCs relying on post-dated EMI cheques
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What happens to non-CTS-2010 cheques presented after March 31, 2013?
They will still be accepted for clearing but will be processed at less frequent intervals. Specific modalities and any applicable charges will be communicated separately by RBI.
Does this extension apply to post-dated EMI cheques held by banks?
Yes, banks holding post-dated EMI cheques (on their own behalf or for NBFC clients) must replace non-CTS-2010 cheques with CTS-2010 standard cheques by March 31, 2013.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “the time limit for withdrawal/ replacement of non-CTS 2010 Standard cheques with CTS 2010 Standard cheques has been extended up to March 31, 2013”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/335
DPSS.CO.CHD.No.955/04.07.05/2012-13
December 14, 2012
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/Local Area Banks
Madam / Dear Sir
Standardisation and Enhancement of Security Features in Cheque Forms-Migrating to CTS 2010 standards
A reference is invited to our circular DPSS.CO.CHD.No. 399/04.07.05/2012-13 dated September 3, 2012 advising all banks to arrange to issue only multi-city/payable at par CTS-2010 standard cheques not later than September 30, 2012 and to withdraw the non-CTS-2010 Standard cheques in circulation before December 31, 2012 by creating customer awareness. Further, banks holding post-dated EMI cheques (received either on their own behalf or on behalf of their NBFC clients) were advised to ensure the replacement of non-CTS-2010 Standard cheques with CTS-2010 standard cheques before December 31, 2012.
2. While most of the banks have confirmed that they are issuing only multi-city/payable at par CTS-2010 standard cheques at present, representations have been received from various stakeholders requesting for extension of the time beyond December 31, 2012 for withdrawal / replacement of non-CTS-2010 Standard cheques / post-dated EMI cheques with CTS-2010 standard cheques.
3. Taking into consideration these representations, it has been decided to extend the time up to March 31, 2013 for banks to ensure withdrawal of non-CTS 2010 Standard cheques and replace them with CTS-2010 Standard cheques. However, it may be noted that the residual non-CTS-2010 Standard cheques that get presented in the clearing system beyond this extended period will continue to be accepted for the clearing but will be cleared at less frequent intervals. The modalities, charges applicable if any, etc. are being discussed with stakeholders and a separate communication will follow in this regard.
4. The above instructions are issued under section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
5. Please acknowledge receipt and ensure withdrawal of non-CTS-2010 Standard cheques within the extended target date indicated above.
Yours faithfully,
(Vijay Chugh)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/335 · issued 14 Dec 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Continue customer awareness campaigns to inform account holders about the migration and the less frequent clearing of residual non-CTS cheques after March 31, 2013.
Prepare for the separate communication on modalities and charges for clearing residual non-CTS cheques, and update internal processes accordingly.
📜 Compliance
Ensure all non-CTS-2010 cheques are withdrawn and replaced with CTS-2010 standard cheques by March 31, 2013.
Prioritize replacement of post-dated EMI cheques received on your own behalf or for NBFC clients before the new deadline.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs, Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks, Local Area Banks, NBFCs relying on post-dated EMI cheques), your first concrete step on “CTS-2010 Cheque Migration Deadline Extended to March 31, 2013” is: “Ensure all non-CTS-2010 cheques are withdrawn and replaced with CTS-2010 standard cheques by March 31, 2013.” (RBI issued this 14 Dec 2012).
Circular: RBI/2012-13/335 -- CTS-2010 Cheque Migration Deadline Extended to March 31, 2013
Issued: 14 Dec 2012
Action required: Ensure all non-CTS-2010 cheques are withdrawn and replaced with CTS-2010 standard cheques by March 31, 2013.
Action required: Prioritize replacement of post-dated EMI cheques received on your own behalf or for NBFC clients before the new deadline.
Action required: Continue customer awareness campaigns to inform account holders about the migration and the less frequent clearing of residual non-CTS cheques after March 31, 2013.
Action required: Prepare for the separate communication on modalities and charges for clearing residual non-CTS cheques, and update internal processes accordingly.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
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=7753&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.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.