Home › Circulars › RBI/2013-14/248

Cooperative Banks: Simplify Deceased Depositor Claims

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/248 · issued 10 Sep 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs StCBs/CCBs to strictly follow the simplified procedure for settling deceased depositor claims and to place claim forms prominently on their websites for easy access.

What changed

RBI reiterates its 2005 circular on simplified deceased depositor claim settlement, noting public feedback that banks are not complying. It now additionally mandates that claim forms be made available on banks' websites for download, reducing the need for claimants to visit branches.

What it means for you

Cooperative banks must ensure hassle-free claim settlement for deceased depositors by strictly adhering to the existing simplified procedure. Placing claim forms online will streamline the process, reduce customer inconvenience, and improve turnaround time for claim payouts.

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

State Cooperative Banks (StCBs), Central Cooperative Banks (CCBs), All branches of cooperative banks, Claimants of deceased depositors

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What is the main requirement of this circular?

Cooperative banks must strictly follow the simplified procedure for settling deceased depositor claims and make claim forms available on their websites.

Why is RBI issuing this reminder?

RBI received public feedback that banks are not following the simplified procedure, so it reiterates compliance and adds the online form requirement.

Do we need to provide claim forms to anyone who asks?

Yes, banks must provide claim forms to any person approaching for them, and also put them on the website for easy access.

📜 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Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)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 #1029: RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.30/07.51.014/2013-14 — "Settlement of Claims of Deceased Depositor - Simplification of Procedure - Placing of claim forms on bank’s Website"”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/248 RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No. 30/07.51.014/2013-14 September 10, 2013 The Chairmen / CEOs All State and Central Cooperative Banks Dear Sir / Madam, Settlement of Claims of Deceased Depositor – Simplification of Procedure – Placing of claim forms on bank’s website Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.12/07.38.01/2005-06 dated July 12, 2005 wherein simplified procedure has been specified for settlement of claims of deceased depositors. We have been receiving feedback from public that banks are not following the simplified procedure as advised in the circular. State and Central Cooperative Banks are therefore, advised once again that they should strictly comply with the instructions contained therein for hassle-free settlement of claims on the death of a depositor. 2. Further, with a view to facilitate timely settlement of claims on the death of a depositor, banks are advised to provide claim forms for settlement of claims of the deceased accounts, to any person/s who is/are approaching the bank / branches for forms. Claim forms may also be put on the bank’s website prominently so that claimants of the deceased depositor can access and download the forms without having to visit the concerned bank/branch for obtaining such forms for filing claim with the bank. 3. Please acknowledge receipt to our Regional Office concerned. Yours faithfully, (A.Udgata) Principal Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/248 · issued 10 Sep 2013. 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=8403&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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