Can You Use a Black Pen Instead of Blue to Sign a Cheque? Here’s What the Bank Rules Say

Can You Use a Black Pen Instead of Blue to Sign a Cheque? Here's What the Bank Rules Say
A viral message circulating on social media has created confusion by alleging that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has banned the use of black ink on cheques. The claim states that cheques written in black ink will be rejected starting January 1, 2025, as part of measures to enhance security and combat fraud.
In response to this misinformation, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a clarification on Friday, confirming that the RBI has not introduced any such rule. The PIB stated, “It is being claimed on social media that the RBI has issued new rules prohibiting black ink for writing cheques. The Reserve Bank of India has not prescribed any specific ink color to be used for cheque writing.”
The viral post also claimed that blue or green ink would be the only acceptable options for cheque signatures under the supposed new guidelines, which allegedly aimed to prevent fraudulent alterations and enhance security. It further advised against using faded or smudged ink to comply with the rumored regulations.
The PIB’s clarification has put to rest concerns raised by this baseless claim. It emphasized that the RBI has not made any changes to its policies regarding the use of ink for cheque transactions.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying information from credible sources before sharing it on social media, especially when it involves financial rules or regulations.