Revised Application Format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/654 · issued 12 Jun 2014 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates revised bilingual application format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003, notified in the Gazette on April 21, 2014, to enable CBS migration. Banks must print forms on A4 paper with detachable customer info portion and use distinct colors for cumulative vs non-cumulative bonds.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must use a new form for 8% Savings Bonds that has both Hindi and English words.
The form must be printed on A4 paper (a standard letter-size sheet) and on good quality paper.
The part with customer information must be easy to tear off (perforated) so the customer can take it and the bank keeps the rest.
Forms for cumulative bonds (where interest adds up) and non-cumulative bonds (where interest is paid out) must be printed in different colors so staff can tell them apart quickly.
How it plays out — a real example
A branch operations officer in Indore is updating the bond application forms at her branch. She prints the cumulative bond forms on blue paper and the non-cumulative ones on yellow paper, making it easy for her team to pick the right form when a customer asks for a bond. She also checks that the customer info section is perforated so the customer can tear it off and keep it.
What changed
The Government of India approved and notified a revised application format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003, in the Gazette on April 21, 2014, following earlier discussions in 2012-13. The new format is bilingual (Hindi and English) and designed to integrate with banks' Core Banking Solution platforms. Banks are instructed to print cumulative and non-cumulative bond forms in different colors for easy identification.
What it means for you
Banks must update their bond application forms to the new bilingual format and ensure printing on A4 quality paper with a detachable customer information section. This change supports the migration of Relief/Savings Bonds operations to CBS platforms, improving efficiency and customer experience. Strict adherence to timelines is required, with RBI warning of serious action for deviations.
What you must do
Print the revised bilingual application format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 on A4 size good quality paper.
Use different colors for cumulative and non-cumulative bond application forms for easy identification.
Ensure the customer information section is perforated for easy detachment, leaving the application portion with the bank.
Acknowledge receipt and confirm implementation of these instructions to RBI.
Who it affects
State Bank of India and associates, All nationalised banks (excluding Punjab and Sind Bank and Andhra Bank), Axis Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL)
❓ Common questions
What is the effective date for the revised application format?
The revised format was notified in the Gazette of India on April 21, 2014, and banks are expected to implement it immediately as per the June 12, 2014 circular.
Why are different colors required for cumulative and non-cumulative bond forms?
Different colors help bank staff and customers easily distinguish between the two types of bonds, reducing errors in processing.
What happens if banks do not follow the new format or timeline?
RBI has stated that any deviation from the instructions or timeline will be viewed seriously, implying potential regulatory action.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/654
DGBA.CDD. No. 6919/13.01.299/2013-14
June 12, 2014
The Chairman/Managing Director
Head Office (Government Accounts Department)
State Bank of India and Associates
All Nationalised Banks
(Excluding Punjab and Sind Bank and Andhra Bank)
Axis Bank Ltd./ HDFC Bank Ltd./ICICI Bank Ltd.
Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd.(SHCIL)
Dear Sir/Madam
Reviewing the Reporting and Accounting Procedure of Relief and Savings Bonds - Revised Application format - 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003
You may recall the discussions we had in the meetings held on August 31, 2012 and February 06, 2013 regarding migration of Relief/Savings Bonds operations to the Core Banking Solution (CBS) Platforms of the banks. In order to migrate the Relief/Savings Bond operations to CBS Platforms, it was felt necessary to use a revised application format to fit into the new system after notifying the same by the Government of India (GOI). After due consideration of the comments/suggestions made by the banks, the revised application formats (bilingual - Hindi and English) for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 have been approved by the Government of India and notified in the Gazette of India - Extraordinary - Part I - Section -1, No. 104 on April 21, 2014, copy of which is enclosed for our ready reference.
2. The application formats for Cumulative and Non-Cumulative Bonds may be printed in different colours for easy identification. While printing the forms following instructions may please be kept in mind.
The application forms should be bilingual, i.e. in Hindi and English
You may use logo of your bank at the place provided in the application format
The application forms should be printed on A-4 size paper only.
The application forms must be printed on good quality paper.
The information regarding savings bonds and duties and rights of the customers must be printed and perforated in such a manner that they can be easily detached and taken away by the customer while leaving behind the application portion with the bank/branch.
3. It need not be emphasized that the time schedule for deliverables should be strictly adhered to. Deviation, if any, will be viewed seriously by the Reserve Bank of India.
4. Please acknowledge the receipt and also confirm that the above instructions have been implemented by you.
Yours faithfully,
(R. K. Singh)
Deputy General Manager
Encl.: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/654 · issued 12 Jun 2014. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Print the revised bilingual application format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 on A4 size good quality paper.
Use different colors for cumulative and non-cumulative bond application forms for easy identification.
Ensure the customer information section is perforated for easy detachment, leaving the application portion with the bank.
📜 Compliance
Acknowledge receipt and confirm implementation of these instructions to RBI.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (State Bank of India and associates, All nationalised banks (excluding Punjab and Sind Bank and Andhra Bank), Axis Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL)), your first concrete step on “Revised Application Format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003” is: “Print the revised bilingual application format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 on A4 size good quality paper.” (RBI issued this 12 Jun 2014).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/654 -- Revised Application Format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003
Issued: 12 Jun 2014
Action required: Print the revised bilingual application format for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 on A4 size good quality paper.
Action required: Use different colors for cumulative and non-cumulative bond application forms for easy identification.
Action required: Ensure the customer information section is perforated for easy detachment, leaving the application portion with the bank.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt and confirm implementation of these instructions to RBI.
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
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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=8956&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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