NPCI flags initial hiccups in continuous cheque clearing rollout
The issues stem from lingering technical and process glitches at the central clearing system and at some banks as they adapt to the new continuous cheque clearing setup.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has said that cheque clearing under the continuous clearing system is largely stable, though minor delays and teething issues still persist in the central system and in some banks’ systems.
On October 4, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a continuous cheque clearing system with the objective of clearing cheques in a few hours rather than in batches.
This transition has replaced the cheque clearing cycle of up to two working days with a new and faster process, wherein cheques will be cleared within a few hours of presentation.
"While most issues have been resolved, some teething issues continue to be observed in the systems and processes at the central system as well as at some banks. Efforts are ongoing to address the remaining challenges and to ensure that all cheques presented are paid on the same day," NPCI said in a statement.
The issues stem from lingering technical and process glitches at the central clearing system and at some banks as they adapt to the new continuous cheque clearing setup.
"From October 4, 2025, till date, we have facilitated positive clearance of 2.56 crore instruments amounting to over Rs 3,01,000 crore through the central system," it added.
As of date, every instrument that was presented for clearing by banks has been cleared and positive/negative confirmation provided, it said, adding that banks have been advised to credit the customers' accounts for the positively confirmed cheques.
Some customers faced delays in the initial days due to delays in the clearing process, NPCI said.
"We regret the inconvenience caused due to these delays. We remain committed to ensuring a smooth cheque clearing experience and appreciate your continued support and understanding in transitioning to continuous clearing," it added.
NPCI is an entity established by the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
(With inputs from PTI)
Edited by Swetha Kannan