Use of black ink on cheques prohibited?

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
JANUARY 20(STC): In the past few days, social media posts are making rounds suggesting that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated the use of specific ink colors for writing cheques. As per the social media posts, use of black ink on cheques has been banned by the central bank.
This “RBI direction” triggered unrest among the general public as most of them started tracing the veracity of the claim. Even RBI website was found silent on this direction as no such circular could be found there on the official site.
However, it was Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit (PIB Fact Check) that debunked this claim, confirming that it is false and has no basis.
“The RBI has not issued any directive requiring specific ink colors for cheque writing. This misinformation appears to be a baseless rumor, and the public is advised to disregard it,” reads the PIB Fact Check in a clarification on the matter via a post on X. It further stated that Reserve Bank of India has not prescribed specific ink colors to be used for writing cheques.
Notably, in general banking practices, it is recommended to use blue or black ink, as these colors provide clarity and help distinguish handwritten information from the printed text on the cheque. Blue ink is mostly preferred because it stands out more, making it easier for banks to identify handwritten details. Black ink is also widely accepted due to its formal appearance and ease of reading. (STC)