A viral post circulating on social media claims that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced new guidelines prohibiting the use of black ink for writing cheques, effective from January 1, 2025. According to the post, cheques must now be written in blue or green ink to be considered valid. The post attributes this information to a report published in The Times of India on January 14, 2025. However, upon thorough investigation, it is clear that this claim is false, and no such guidelines have been issued by the RBI.
The Viral Claim
The claim in question, shared widely across various social media platforms, suggests that the RBI has banned the use of black ink for filling out cheques to prevent tampering and forgery. The post further alleges that the directive was based on a report in The Times of India, sparking confusion and concern among individuals and businesses who frequently use cheques.
Verifying the Claim
To verify the authenticity of this claim, we conducted a detailed keyword search and reviewed reliable sources, including official RBI publications, government statements, and credible news outlets. Here is what we found:
1. No Official Announcement from the RBI
The Reserve Bank of India has not issued any guidelines prohibiting the use of black ink for writing cheques. A review of the RBI’s website, including its press releases, circulars, and other publications, revealed no such directive. The RBI’s guidelines on cheque usage, particularly under the Cheque Truncation System (CTS), do not prescribe specific ink colours for filling out cheques.
Additionally, the RBI’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CTS, updated on October 31, 2022, explicitly state:
“The RBI has not prescribed specific ink colours to be used for writing cheques.”
The FAQs also caution against using multiple ink colours on a single cheque, as this could cause errors or lead to invalidation during the cheque clearing process.
2. No Supporting Evidence from The Times of India
The viral post attributes its claims to a report published in The Times of India on January 14, 2025. However, a review of the publication’s news archives for that date revealed no such report. If a policy change of this magnitude had occurred, it would have received significant media coverage, which is clearly absent.
3. Clarification from PIB Fact Check
On January 17, 2025, the Government of India’s official fact-checking unit, PIB Fact Check, addressed the viral claim on its social media platforms. It categorically dismissed the claim as false, confirming that the RBI has not issued any new rules regarding the use of black ink on cheques. The clarification further reiterated that the RBI does not mandate the use of any specific ink colour.
Why the Claim is Misleading
The viral post seems to have been designed to create confusion and spread misinformation. The inclusion of a reference to The Times of India may have been an attempt to lend credibility to the false claim. However, the absence of corroborating evidence from the RBI, The Times of India, or any other reputable source highlights the baseless nature of the claim.
The Actual Rules for Writing Cheques
The RBI has established certain guidelines for cheque writing to ensure the smooth functioning of the Cheque Truncation System and to minimize errors in processing. These guidelines include:
* Using legible handwriting and avoiding overwriting.
* Ensuring that all details, such as date, amount, and signature, are accurately filled.
* Avoiding the use of multiple ink colours on the same cheque.
While these guidelines emphasize clarity and consistency in cheque writing, there is no restriction on the colour of ink to be used, as long as it is consistent and does not hinder the cheque scanning process.
The claim that the RBI has prohibited the use of black ink for writing cheques is false. No such guidelines have been issued, and the Reserve Bank of India has not mandated the use of blue or green ink for cheques. It is important to rely on verified information from credible sources and official announcements to avoid falling prey to such misinformation.
As clarified by PIB Fact Check and corroborated by the RBI’s official publications, individuals can continue using black ink or any other consistent colour for writing cheques. However, users should adhere to general guidelines to ensure their cheques are processed without issues.
In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, it is crucial to fact-check claims before believing or sharing them. Always refer to official government or institutional websites and trusted news outlets for accurate information.
