Cheque Truncation System (CTS)

What is Cheque Truncation System (CTS)?

Cheque Truncation System (CTS) or Image-based Clearing System (ICS), in India, is a project undertaken by the Reserve Bank of India – RBI, for faster clearing of cheques. CTS is basically an online image-based cheque clearing system where cheque images and Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data are captured at the collecting bank branch and transmitted electronically.

Truncation means, stopping the flow of the physical cheques issued by a drawer to the drawee branch. The physical instrument is truncated at some point en route to the drawee branch and an electronic image of the cheque is sent to the drawee branch along with the relevant information like the MICR fields, date of presentation, presenting banks etc.

Cheque truncation, would eliminate the need to move the physical instruments across branches, except in exceptional circumstances. This would result in effective reduction in the time required for payment of cheques, the associated cost of transit and delays in processing, etc., thus speeding up the process of collection or realization of cheques.

CTS Cheque Leaf Image

Why you need to apply for a new Cheque Truncation System (CTS) type cheque book?

Considered to be a major milestone in the history of Indian banking, Cheque Truncation System (CTS) aims to make cheque clearance more efficient and reduce the clearance time of cheques to one day, thereby trimming down the floating time considerably. India processes as many as 1.2 billions cheques annually and therefore, the implementation of this system would drastically cut down the waiting period involved. The system will be implemented nationwide from January 1, 2013.

How Cheque Truncation System (CTS) work?

An online image-based cheque clearing system, the collecting bank branch would deploy scanned images along with the magnetic ink character (MICR) of the cheque which will be sent out electronically using their Capture System, removing the need for physical/manual transfer of cheques. The captured images and the data is then signed and encrypted and sent to the Clearing House or the central processing location and thereafter forwarded to the drawee or paying bank.

This helps speed up the cheque collection process that eventually helps provide better and faster customer service.

Key Features of Cheque Truncation System (CTS)

• User friendly graphic user interface
• Automated coding and endorsing of cheques
• Encryption of data file before transmission to the clearing house or the service branch
• Employs a unique transaction follower process to confirm the status of cheque
• Improved and efficient settlement and prevention of fraud
• Equipped with enhanced archival procedure that stores images and data facilitating report generation along with future enquiry
• Alerts RMs in case of return of cheque due to insufficient funds

Impact of CTS on Customers & Handling of EMIs with the Introduction of CTS

In cases where customers have issues post-dated cheques (PDC) for payment of monthly installments towards an ongoing loan, they would need to issue fresh cheques to the bank or service provider as per the new directive on CTS by the RBI. The replacement of these cheques needs to be done latest by December 31, 2012 and is applicable on all banks and NBFCs.

Encashment of Old Cheques

If you have an old cheque with you, you should get it encashed by December 31, 2012. The RBI mandate states that payments for such cheques will be honoured only till then.

Banks need to issue the new types of CTS-compliant cheque books with the prescribed features to all their customers latest by December 31, 2012. Customers may need to surrender their old cheque books or cancel them and show proof of cancellation. No replacement fee will be charged by the bank for issuing new cheque books

Apart from these aspects, the system does not, in any way, affect the way things function for a customer. They would continue using cheques as they do currently; however, cheques that have been altered or modified will not be permissible under the new system. The other precautions that need to be taken while issuing or writing a cheque are:

Ensure that all details are clear and readable, using black or blue ink

Write the name of the payee, amount and the date and sign the cheque correctly.

In case you use seals on the cheque, ensure that they are imprinted in a manner that they do not mask or hide the other important fields of the cheque.

Benefits of CTS for Customers

There are many benefits of the cheque truncation system from the perspective of a customer. 

Clearance cycle gets shortened - As this system is being implemented, the physical or manual movement of cheques for clearance has ceased. With cheques being transmitted electronically, the settlement process becomes quicker, facilitating reduction in the clearance cycle.

The fear of loss of cheques during transfer from the collecting bank to the drawee or payee bank is eliminated.

Limitations of the current clearance system with respect to jurisdiction and geography are eradicated. This enables integration and consolidation of several clearing locations across various banks offering different service levels into one standard clearance system applicable throughout the country.

CTS helps reduce the scope of fraud significantly. Moreover, the electronic transmission is quick and allows early detection of fraud or any alteration with respect to the payee, amount or the issuer of the cheque. CTS prescribe minimum security features under 'CTS-2010 standards' along with superior verification process that further facilitates in the reduction of frauds.

The operational efficiency of both the bank as well as the customer is enhanced with the introduction of this system.

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