India Post CTS Cheque Clearing: Reduce RTB Cases & Improve Processing Efficiency

No. CPRC/37-1/2024

Government of India

Department of Posts

Centralized Processing and Reconciliation Centre

Chennai – 600002

Date: 11.03.2025

To: 

All Head Post Offices (HoCs)

Subject: Handling of Refer To Branch (RTB) cheques in inward CTS clearing process – Reg.

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Key Points

• CBS-CTS integration implemented in August 2021; Chennai GPO acts as the nodal office for POSB cheque processing.
• RTB cheques (20% of inward cheques) are referred to branches due to errors (e.g., incorrect account numbers, missing signatures).

RBI’s Continuous Clearing Model:

• Proposed 3-hour clearance window (vs. current T+1).
• Goal: Reduce RTB cheques to expedite processing.

Common RTB Reasons & Corrective Actions:

Error Code / Reason	Details	Action Required
Incorrect Account Numbers	Missing/stamped incorrectly.	Use rubber stamps for legible account numbers.
Cheque Not Linked to SB Account	Cheque books issued without Finacle entries.	Link unused cheques to accounts in Finacle.
Signature Not in Finacle	Missing signatures for verification.	Upload scanned signatures (consolidated report shared via email).
Illegible Signature/Regional Language	Unreadable signatures or vernacular content.	Update clear signatures in Finacle.

Attachments:

• Images of defective cheques (improper stamping, blank account numbers, illegible text).
• Circle-wise data of accounts missing signatures (7,91,353 total; Uttar Pradesh tops with 2,61,414).

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Critical Directives

Post Offices Must:

• Stamp account numbers legibly on cheques.
• Ensure Finacle linkage for all cheque books.
• Upload signatures for verification.

Chennai GPO Team: Prioritize clearance of cheques in regional languages.

Approval: DDG (FS)

Also read :Clearance and Posting of Cheques - Regarding

Contact: nodalepcchemai.tn@indiapost.gov.in

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Annexures

Circle-wise Signature Deficiency (28.02.2025):

Circle	Accounts
Uttar Pradesh	2,61,414
West Bengal	1,40,952
Punjab	36,439
Total	7,91,353

Sample RTB Cheque Images:

• Improper stamping.
• Blank account numbers.
• Handwritten/illegible details.

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Action Items

1. HoCs/CPCs: Implement corrective measures to reduce RTB volume.
2. Chennai GPO: Expedite clearance of regional-language cheques.

Copy to:

• Postmaster General, Chennai City Region.
• Chief Postmaster, Chennai GPO.

Also read :Free!!! Free!!! Free!! 1st cheque book in a Calendar Year @ Post Offices