Photographs of Account Holders mandatory in banks with some exceptions

While opening all new accounts banks should mandatorily obtain photographs of the depositors/account holders who are authorized to operate the accounts in terms of the Master Directions of RBI. The customers’ photographs should be recent and the cost of photographs to be affixed on the account opening forms may be borne by the customers.

Only one set of photographs is sufficient for all the accounts of the account holder/depositor and separate photographs should not be obtained for each category of deposit. However, applications obtained by the bank for different types of accounts should be properly referenced about the availability of photographs.

In the case of operations of SB/Current accounts, only the photographs of the person/s authorized to operate the account should be obtained. However, in the case of other types of deposits such as Fixed/Recurring, Cumulative, etc. photographs of all depositors in whose names the deposit receipt stands may be obtained, except in the case of deposits in the name of minor, where guardians’ photographs could be obtained.

Photographs of ‘Pardanashin’ Women should also be obtained while opening the bank account. The banks should also obtain photographs of NRE, NRO, and FCNR account holders.

For operations in the accounts, banks should not ordinarily insist on the presence of an account holder unless the circumstances so warrant. Photographs cannot be a substitute for specimen signatures.

Exceptions:

The photographs need not be insisted upon by banks in the under-noted cases:

(a) new savings bank accounts where a chequebook facility is not provided, and (b) fixed and other term deposits up to an amount inclusive of Rs. 10,000/*- However, the banks should take usual and necessary precautions/safeguards regarding opening and operation of these accounts.

(* If the depositor has a term deposit of less than Rs. 10,000/- but he/she also has a savings bank account with a chequebook facility or a current account, it will be necessary to have the photograph of the depositor.)

Banks, local authorities, and government departments (excluding public sector undertakings or quasi-government bodies) are exempt from the requirement of photographs.

The photographs need not be obtained for borrowal accounts viz. Cash Credit, overdraft accounts, etc.

The banks may not insist on photographs in case of accounts of staff members (Single/Joint).

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