💡 A cancelled cheque is a standard bank cheque with two parallel diagonal lines drawn across it and the word 'CANCELLED' written in capitals. It does not require your signature. It is used exclusively to verify your bank account details (Account Number, IFSC code, and Name) for KYC, PF withdrawal, or EMI setup.
Instant — you make it yourself from your own chequebook
Free — use any cheque leaf from your chequebook
Anyone who has a bank account with a chequebook facility
Anyone who needs to verify bank account details for KYC, PF withdrawal, insurance, loan EMI setup, or salary account verification
Take any unused cheque leaf from your bank chequebook. Do NOT write the payee name, amount, or date.
Using a pen, draw two parallel diagonal lines across the entire face of the cheque — from top-left to bottom-right (or corner to corner). These lines signal that the cheque is cancelled.
Between the two diagonal lines, write the word "CANCELLED" clearly in capital letters. This confirms intentionally that the cheque cannot be used for payment.
Do not put your signature on the cancelled cheque. A cancelled cheque does not require a signature — the account details printed on the cheque (account number, IFSC, name) are sufficient.
Confirm that your account number, IFSC code, bank name, branch name, and account holder name are clearly visible on the cheque. These are the details that the recipient will use for verification.
For physical submission: hand over the cancelled cheque leaf directly. For online submission: take a clear scan or photograph and upload it as a JPG or PDF (typically max 2MB).
If you do not have a chequebook or need a cancelled cheque but cannot issue one yourself, here's how to get the equivalent proof of your bank account details:
Go to your bank's home branch and explain that you need a cancelled cheque. The bank teller can provide one from a master cheque pad, or stamp your account details on a slip.
Ask your bank to issue a "Bank Account Verification Letter" or a "Bank Confirmation Letter" — this serves the same purpose as a cancelled cheque for KYC.
Many organizations (insurance, PF, mutual funds) accept a printed bank account statement (showing your name, account number, and IFSC) as an alternative to a cancelled cheque.
A photocopy of your passbook's front page (showing name, account number, IFSC, and branch details) is widely accepted as an alternative to a cancelled cheque.
You cannot "download" a cancelled cheque from the internet — you must create one from your own chequebook. However, here's how to create a proper digital/scanned copy of a cancelled cheque for online submissions:
Follow the steps above to draw two lines and write "CANCELLED" on a blank cheque leaf.
Place the cheque on a flat white surface. Use a scanner (300 DPI minimum) or use your smartphone camera in good lighting. Make sure all printed text is clearly readable.
Save the file as a JPG or PDF. Most portals accept files under 2MB. If needed, use a free compression tool like iLovePDF or Smallpdf to reduce file size.
Open the file and zoom in to confirm your account number, IFSC code, bank name, and your name are all clearly readable. If any detail is blurry, retake the photo or scan.
Unlike most government documents, a cancelled cheque does not have an "application status" to track. However, if you used a cancelled cheque for a specific purpose (PF withdrawal, KYC, loan EMI), you can track the status of that application:
Track your EPF withdrawal status at unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in using your UAN and password. Go to "Online Services > Track Claim Status".
For mutual fund KYC, check at cvlkra.com or camskra.com. For bank KYC, log into your bank's net banking portal and check your KYC status under profile settings.
Check with your insurance company's customer portal, call their helpline, or visit the branch where you submitted the cancelled cheque.
Log into your lender's portal or contact their customer service to confirm that your NACH/ECS mandate (for which you submitted the cancelled cheque) has been activated.
No, a cancelled cheque does NOT require your signature. Simply draw two parallel diagonal lines across the cheque (from corner to corner) and write 'CANCELLED' in capital letters between the lines. Your account number, IFSC code, MICR code, and account holder name are already printed on the cheque — these are sufficient for verification. Adding your signature is optional and not required.
Yes, you can use a photocopy or scanned image of the same cancelled cheque multiple times for different purposes (KYC, PF, insurance, etc.) as long as the cheque is clearly legible. However, some organizations (banks, insurance companies) may require a fresh physical cancelled cheque leaf. It's best to ask the specific organization beforehand.
To upload a cancelled cheque online: 1) Take a clear scan or photograph of the cancelled cheque (both front side visible). 2) Ensure the printed account number, IFSC code, and your name are clearly readable. 3) Save the file as a JPG or PDF (usually max 2MB). 4) Upload to the required field on the portal. Make sure the cheque is not folded and the lighting is even.
A blank cheque has no amount or date filled in — it is risky to give to anyone as they could fill in any amount. A cancelled cheque has two lines drawn across it with 'CANCELLED' written, making it invalid for payment. Cancelled cheques are used only to verify your bank account details and cannot be used for payment.
Yes, a cancelled cheque is required for EPF (Employee Provident Fund) withdrawal to verify your bank account details. You need to submit a clear scanned copy of a cancelled cheque from your salary account on the EPFO Unified Portal while submitting a PF withdrawal claim (Form 19 or 10C).
To make a cancelled cheque: 1) Take a blank cheque from your chequebook. 2) Draw two parallel diagonal lines across the entire cheque. 3) Write 'CANCELLED' in capital letters between the two lines. 4) Do NOT fill in any amount, date, or payee name. 5) Do NOT sign it (signature is not required). The cheque is now a cancelled cheque ready to share for KYC or verification.
A cancelled cheque is used to verify bank account details without making a payment. Common uses include: PF/EPF withdrawal, KYC for investments and insurance, Direct Debit (ECS/NACH) mandate setup, salary account verification by employer, loan EMI setup, and claims submission for insurance.
If you don't have a chequebook, you can visit your bank branch and request a cancelled cheque. Alternatively, most organizations accept a bank account statement or bank passbook copy as an alternative to a cancelled cheque for account verification purposes.
A cancelled cheque shows: Account holder name, Bank account number, IFSC code (for NEFT/RTGS), MICR code (9-digit number at the bottom for cheque clearing), Bank name and branch name, and Bank logo. These are sufficient to verify your account without any additional information.
Visit the official government portal to start your application
Go to Official Portal →