Co-op Bank Nomination Forms: Only Thumb Impressions Need Witnesses
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/348 · issued 24 Dec 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that for nomination forms under the Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985, only thumb impressions require attestation by two witnesses; signatures of account holders do not need witness attestation.
What changed
RBI clarified that for nomination forms (DA1-DA3 for deposits, SC1-SC3 for safe custody, SL1-SL3A for lockers) under the 1985 Rules, only thumb impressions must be attested by two witnesses. Signatures of account holders no longer require witness attestation.
What it means for you
This reduces documentation burden for co-operative banks and their customers when filling nomination forms. Banks must update their internal procedures and staff training to ensure only thumb impressions are witnessed, not signatures. Non-compliance could lead to 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
Update nomination form processing guidelines to require witness attestation only for thumb impressions, not signatures.
Train branch staff and compliance teams on this clarification to avoid incorrect rejections or demands for witness signatures.
Review existing nomination forms and procedures to ensure alignment with the clarified rules.
Communicate the change to customers to streamline nomination submissions.
Who it affects
State and Central Co-operative Banks, Branch staff handling nomination forms, Compliance officers at co-operative banks, Customers of co-operative banks using nomination facilities
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 16:50 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
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 articles in safe custody; and SL1, SL1A, SL2, SL3, SL3A for safety lockers, as prescribed under the Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985.
Do signatures on nomination forms need to be attested by witnesses?
No. Only thumb impressions require attestation by two witnesses. Signatures of account holders do not need witness attestation.
What is the legal basis for these nomination rules?
The rules 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 byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/348
RPCD.CO. RCB.BC.No. 53/07.51.010/2012-13
December 24, 2012
The Chairmen / CEOs
of all State and Central 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, 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,
(C.D. Srinivasan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/348 · issued 24 Dec 2012. 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=7771&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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