How Do You Write a Cancelled Cheque for Your Bank Account? – Top 8 Banks Image Example

A cancelled cheque image may look simple on the surface, but in real banking workflows and in the broader perspective, it plays a very important role.

It includes Salary onboarding, mutual fund investments, loan disbursals, EPF withdrawals, vendor payments via IMPS, RTGS, NEFT, and government credits still rely on it for one reason: it shows verified bank details in a format institutions trust.

It works as a low-risk identity document for your bank account, and it is designed to let institutions verify printed, bank-issued data without touching money.

Why a Cancelled Cheque Image Is Still Used in 2026

UPI and instant payments did not eliminate cancelled cheques. They solved transfers, not verification.

Payroll software, registrar systems, mutual fund AMCs, NBFC loan platforms, government departments, and PSU Banks, even Modern Banks, still operate on document-based confirmation. It is needed, because –

• They must store auditable proof
• Not all systems integrate with live bank APIs
• Human review is still part of compliance.

A cancelled cheque image works because it shows:

• Account number as printed by the bank
• IFSC and MICR in a machine-readable line
• Account holder name (when printed)
• Branch identity

From a compliance perspective and real-life KYC in the danger of cybercrime and mismatches, it provides better safety than handwritten details and is faster than bank letters. A simple example for you, when you want to send money to someone via RTGS, such as 50 Lakh, the best and easiest option for beneficiary details is the cancelled cheque or Bank Statement.

A Fact about cancelled cheque for you – From April 3, 2025, EPFO has removed the mandatory requirement to upload an image of a cancelled cheque or bank passbook. This helps to move faster. EPFO said UAN is fully KYC-seeded, so, does not need to upload additional documents.

Quick Tip For You – Banks choose blue or black pen ink to write “CANCELLED” because it stays clear. Pencil or light ink can fade and may be rejected.

How to Create a Cancelled Cheque (The Correct Way)

Before we go bank-wise, let’s lock in the non-negotiable rules while writing.

A cancelled cheque is created by taking a valid cheque leaf from your active account and writing the word “CANCELLED” clearly across the front.

What matters:

• Use a black or blue pen (black preferred)
• Those 2 lines top or bottom of the cancelled word are optional.
• Write CANCELLED in capital letters (double “L”)
• Write it diagonally or across the centre
• Do not cover IFSC, MICR, or account number
• Do not sign, date, or write any amount

Once cancelled, the cheque becomes invalid for payments and is used only for verification.

Why the Process Is Different for Each Bank

People are usually confused and search or ask: “Why can’t all banks have the same steps?”

Because banks differ in:

1. How cheque books are issued (automatic vs on request)
2. Digital vs branch dependency
3. Account types (salary, digital, current, legacy savings)
4. How strict downstream KYC systems are with that bank, for example, PSU Banks (Govt-owned) have more strict KYC rules and Cheque book issue process.

So the real challenge is not writing “CANCELLED”. The real challenge is getting the correct cheque in the first place.

Bank-Wise Cancelled Cheque Insights (Beyond Basics with Images and Guidance)

Below are 8 major banks, each handled differently, and yes, it is intentional. Let’s start with one of the most important Bank of India –

1. State Bank of India (SBI)

You can write the same, cancelled by a black INK, you can add lines or not, it depends on you. Don’t add or remove any printed data from it for faster approval.

SBI cheques are lucky enough to have near-universal acceptance because of stable formats and consistent IFSC mapping.

However, SBI users face two silent problems:

• Old cheque books from closed or migrated accounts
• Images where the MICR line is faint or cropped

Real insight: Many payroll and EPF systems still use SBI cheques as a reference standard. That’s why SBI cancelled cheques are rarely questioned — unless the account is inactive. if you have SBI account, you can use a leaf for any govt or private work verficiation.

To get a cheque or a chequebook, you can request cheque books via the YONO app or at a branch. The process is simple – log in and go to the service request. Delivery may take longer compared to private banks due to India Post or your city location, but rejection rates are low.

They offer 1 cheque book free every 6 months or a year, depending on your account type.

2. HDFC Bank

HDFC is compliance-driven and less forgiving. Cheque books are not guaranteed for every account type, such as especially for newer salary, BSBDA, or digital accounts. In 2025, HDFC simplified cheque book requests via its redesigned NetBanking portal, but verification rules remained strict. But they remove CAPTCHA-heavy flows and shift to OTP-based HDFC mobile banking app permission for login. In simple words, now you need the HDFC Mobile banking app to log in to your NetBanking for double security.

Fact For You: HDFC-origin cancelled cheques are frequently rejected if:

• The cheque is signed
• The image looks digitally edited
• The account name mismatches the KYC records

HDFC systems assume higher fraud risk, so clarity matters more than speed.

HDFC’s recent data says that most customers usually generate cancelled cheques for KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance and setting up ECS (Electronic Clearing Service) mandates for automatic payments (like EMIs or bills).

Tip: HDFC frequently rejects signed, cancelled cheques. Leave it unsigned, clean, and unedited.

3. ICICI Bank

ICICI is digital-first, but heavily audited. Cheque book requests are smooth, and ICICI cheques are widely used in investment platforms. To create a cancelled check, first, you need an active chequebook. In most digital accounts, ICICI does not offer with welcome kit; you have to order it via the mobile app. The process is Save +91 86400 86400 on your phone. This is the ICICI WhatsApp Number. Send Hi, enter mobile OTP, and tap on Request New cheque book, it will deliver within 7 working days. Cut the first leaf, and write “Cancelled”, avoid any other information, click the photo, and upload only reliable firms and banks.

Real insight: Mutual fund AMCs often prefer ICICI cancelled cheques because:

• IFSC and MICR placement are consistent
• Name printing quality is high
• Historical reconciliation success rate is strong

Most ICICI rejections happen due to cropped bottom lines, not incorrect cancellations.

4. Axis Bank

Axis serves a large base of business and vendor-linked accounts.

Cheque books are common, but confusion arises with A/C Payee vs bearer cheques. For cancelled cheques, this distinction is irrelevant, so, yet users still worry about it. Both Account Payee (A/C Payee) and Bearer cheques can be used as a “cancelled cheque,” but in different ways: an A/C Payee cheque is crossed (two parallel lines, often with “A/C Payee”) for secure bank deposit only, while a Bearer cheque (no cross lines, “Or Bearer” not struck out) is payable to whoever presents it.

To get an Axis chequebook, apply via SMS Banking, simply send CHQBK space (last six digits of account number) and send to +919951860002 or 56161600.

Fun Fact: Axis cancelled cheques are often requested during vendor onboarding and reimbursement setups, where auditors manually check image quality.

Tip: Axis cheques are simpler and clearer. Keep the image neutral and unedited.

5. Bank of Baroda (BOB)

Bank of Baroda (BoB) has strong acceptance in government and PSU-linked workflows. Cheque books are slower to obtain, but verification success is high.

Real insight: BoB cancelled cheques are frequently used in:

• Subsidy-linked accounts
• Tender and contract payments
• Pension and DBT setups

Here, legibility matters more than speed. BOB is not like the old PSU bank; you can use the BOB chatbot now to apply a cheque. Go to bankofbaroda.bank.in and tap on the “Chat with ADI” bubble. Tap on request cheque book, enter your mobile and account number, give the 6 Digit OTP and Done. You will get an SMS about the delivery.

6. Union Bank of India

Union Bank stands out operationally. It allows cheque book requests via official WhatsApp Banking and the Vyom app, reducing branch dependency.

Insight for You: Post-merger, Union Bank retained acceptance for older cheque formats, provided:

• Account is active
• IFSC is current

This flexibility reduces rejections for long-term customers.

7. Punjab National Bank (PNB)

PNB verification is still manual-heavy in many systems. Cheque books are branch-centric, and digital uploads face more scrutiny.

Most PNB cancelled cheque rejections are caused by:

• Shadows
• Low-resolution images
• Folded cheques

The data is correct — the image isn’t.

8. Kotak Mahindra Bank (including 811 NeoBanking)

Kotak’s cancelled cheque logic depends entirely on the account type.

• Regular savings/current accounts usually include cheque books
• Digital 811 accounts do not issue cheque books until full KYC
• Even after KYC, cheque books must be requested manually

Neo Banking Fact: For Kotak 811 users, many fintech platforms accept:

• Cancelled cheque after full KYC
• Or a bank-issued confirmation letter

Assuming a cheque exists is the most common mistake.

To get a Basic leaf book, you can order a chequebook via Kotak’s re-launched 811 new app. Log in via Mpin and go to Bank, tap on Activity Zone and tap on order cheque book.

How to Upload a Cancelled Cheque Image (Avoid Rejection)

Most rejections happen after the cheque is created.

Follow these upload rules:

• Place the cheque on a plain white background
• Use natural daylight, avoid yellow light
• Capture the entire cheque (no cropping)
• Ensure IFSC and MICR are sharp
• Do not edit, watermark, or digitally write “CANCELLED”

Best image size for portals and blogs: 1200 × 600 px

Safety & Misuse: Treat It Like an ID Proof

A cancelled cheque cannot withdraw money, but it exposes:

• Account number
• IFSC & MICR
• Account holder name

That information can be misused for fake mandate attempts or incorrect credits.

Share cancelled cheques only with:

• Banks
• Employers
• Trusted fintech platforms
• Official government portals

Never post them publicly.

FAQs