India Post Introduces Personalized Cheque Books (PCB) for POSA Holders

The Department of Posts (Financial Services Division) has released SB Order No. 05/2026, announcing the introduction of Personalized Cheque Books (PCB) for Post Office Savings Account (POSA) customers. This move aims to enhance customer convenience, improve security, and align post office services with modern banking standards.

Key Features of Personalized Cheque Books

• Pre-printed Details: Unlike instant cheque books, PCBs contain the account holder's name, account number, and the IFSC of the Department of Posts.
• Free Delivery: These cheque books are delivered free of cost directly to the account holder’s last updated address.
• Standard Issue: By default, each PCB will contain 10 cheque leaves.
• Choice of Service: Customers can choose between an Instant Cheque Book (available only at the counter) or a Personalized Cheque Book.

How to Apply

Initially, customers must visit their home Post Office to submit a request using the revised Cheque Book Request Form (Annexure-I/SB/CQE-4). This service is planned to be extended to Internet and Mobile Banking in subsequent phases.

Technical Requirements and Eligibility

To successfully request a PCB, the following conditions must be met:

• Minimum Balance: The account must maintain a balance of at least Rs. 500.
• Account Status: Requests cannot be processed for accounts that are "Total Frozen" or "Dormant".
• KYC & Mobile: A valid mobile number must be linked to the Primary account holder's CIF. For joint accounts, signatures for all holders must be available in the Finacle system.
• Issuance Charges: While the first 10 leaves in a calendar year are free, any additional leaves will incur a charge of Rs. 2 per leaf plus applicable GST.

Dispatch and Delivery Process

The printing and personalization are handled by a specialized vendor, M/s Utility Forms Pvt. Ltd., with nodal dispatch centers in Delhi and Chennai. If a cheque book remains undelivered after multiple attempts, it will be returned to the home Post Office and kept for 45 days before being treated as spoiled.