According to an order issued by the Ministry of Communications, the new personalised cheque books will include pre-printed account holder details such as the customer’s name, account number and the India Post IFSC code.
The facility became effective from May 8.
Until now, cheque books issued for post office savings accounts did not carry customer-specific printed details.
The Department said customers can initially request personalised cheque books by visiting their post office branch. The facility is expected to be extended to internet and mobile banking channels in a later phase.
The existing instant cheque book facility will continue alongside the new personalised option. Customers will be able to choose between instant cheque books issued directly at post office counters and personalised cheque books that will be delivered to the customer’s registered address free of cost.
Under the revised process, customers applying for personalised cheque books must have their mobile number linked to the primary account holder’s customer identification file (CIF), maintain a minimum account balance of ₹500, and ensure KYC details and addresses are updated in the system.
The Department has also introduced operational safeguards, including restrictions on cheque book issuance for dormant or frozen accounts and limits on multiple cheque book requests until earlier requests are processed.
As per the standard operating procedure, personalised cheque books will initially be issued with 10 cheque leaves. Charges may apply if customers exceed the annual free cheque leaf limit. The Department said cheque issuance charges beyond the permitted limit will be ₹2 per cheque leaf along with applicable GST.
The Department of Posts has onboarded Utility Forms Private Ltd. as the printing and personalisation vendor for the service. The company will operate through facilities in Delhi and Chennai for printing and dispatching cheque books across different states.
Cheque books will be dispatched through Speed Post, with the sender reflected as the post office branch where the customer’s savings account is maintained.
The Department has also issued instructions to post offices regarding verification, dispatch tracking and handling of undelivered cheque books. Any undelivered personalised cheque books will be returned to the concerned post office branch and retained securely for up to 45 days before cancellation procedures are initiated.
