The Department of Posts has launched a new facility allowing Post Office Savings Account (POSA) holders to receive personalised cheque books. This significant upgrade, available since May 8, 2026, brings post office banking services closer to the standards offered by private and public sector banks, focusing on improved customer convenience, enhanced security, and efficient doorstep service.
What's New with Personalised Cheque Books?
Previously, cheque books issued by post offices were non-personalised, lacking the account holder's name or account number, and typically required collection in person. The new personalised cheque books will feature:
- The account holder’s name
- The full account number
- The IFSC code of the Department of Posts
This move is designed to streamline customer experience, minimise errors, and bolster the security of cheque verification. A major benefit is that these personalised cheque books will be delivered free of cost directly to the customer’s registered address, eliminating the need for branch visits for collection.
How to Apply for Your Personalised Cheque Book
Currently, customers can request a personalised cheque book by visiting their local post office branch where the account is maintained (Account SOL). The Department of Posts has also announced plans to extend this facility to its internet banking and mobile banking platforms, enabling online requests in the near future.
It is important to note that the existing instant cheque book facility will continue to be available for those who prefer non-personalised cheque books, which can still be collected at post office counters.
Conditions for Issuance
To ensure smooth processing, the Department of Posts has outlined several conditions that must be met before a personalised cheque book request can be approved:
- The customer’s mobile number must be linked to the primary account holder’s CIF (Customer Information File).
- The savings account must maintain a minimum balance of ₹500.
- Customers must have sufficient funds to cover any applicable cheque issuance charges, currently set at ₹20 plus GST.
- The account must be active and not dormant or frozen.
- Requests must be initiated at the Account SOL, which is the specific branch where the savings account is held.
Failure to meet any of these conditions may result in the rejection of the request.
What Happens if a Cheque Book is Undelivered?
Should a personalised cheque book be undeliverable after multiple attempts, it will be returned to the post office branch where the account is maintained. The branch will hold the cheque book in safe custody for 45 days, maintaining detailed records. If the customer does not collect it within this period, the undelivered cheque leaves will be deemed unused and marked as “spoiled” within the Department’s Finacle banking system.
This initiative is part of the Department of Posts’ ongoing efforts to modernise its banking services, enhancing digital and doorstep banking convenience for millions of customers nationwide.