How long does it take for a cheque to clear

In India, the time it takes for a cheque to clear has significantly reduced due to new RBI guidelines:

• Continuous Clearing (Starting October 4, 2025): Cheques are now processed in near real-time throughout the day. Funds can reach your account within a few hours instead of 1-2 business days.
• Phase 2 (Starting January 3, 2026): The clearing window is further reduced to a 3-hour confirmation cycle. For example, a cheque presented between 10 AM and 11 AM will be confirmed by 2 PM, with funds credited shortly after.