The growth in digital transactions during FY 2021-22 and FY2022-23 is much higher than the growth in volume of cheques. This was stated by Union Minister for State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

As per information available with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), data on cheques and digital transactions is as per the table below:

Financial Year	Total Volume of Cheques (CTS) (in Lakh)	% Growth over the previous year	Total Digital Payments Volume (in lakh)	% Growth over the previous year
2020-21	6570.84	-	437068.47	-
2021-22	6599.19	0.4	719768.30	64.7
2022-23	7109.27	7.7	1139394.20	58.3

The Minister further stated that payment through ‘cheque’ is provided under the Negotiable Instruments Act,1881. However, to encourage customers to adopt digital banking, to create awareness about payment products and to disseminate information about safe digital banking, RBI has been conducting Electronic Banking Awareness and Training (e-BAAT) programmes across the country. The main thrust of a e-BAAT programme comprises:

1. Awareness about Digital Payment Products
2. Awareness about Frauds and Risk Mitigation
3. Awareness about grievance redressal

Giving more information, the Minister stated that the target audience includes cross section of the society consisting of bank staff, customers, government officials, students, Self Help Groups, farmers, shopkeepers, traders, and the common man. From 2019 till June 2023, a total of 1184 e-BAAT programmes have been conducted by various Regional Offices of RBI wherein electronic payment systems, their benefits and issues related to safety were explained to the participants.RBI has been observing a Digital Payments Awareness Week in second week of march from 2021. During the week observed in 2023, RBI launched Mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ as an awareness initiative to make every person in India a user of digital payments. RBI has also launched ‘75 Digital Villages’ programme in observance of 75 years of Independence. Under this programme, Payment System Operators (PSOs) will adopt 75 villages across the country and convert them into digital payment enabled villages.

Apart from above, the Minister stated, RBI conducts 360-degree, multimedia channel / platform based public awareness campaigns under the tag of ‘RBI Says’ or ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ to create awareness among members of public about various digital payment initiatives that cover customer’s safety, security and convenience.

Digital payment growth outpaces cheque usage, prompting RBI awareness and adoption initiatives nationwide to increase safe usage. Digital payments volume rose substantially in FY2021-22 and FY2022-23 while cheque volumes showed only modest growth; cheque payments continue to be governed by the Negotiable Instruments Act. To promote digital adoption and safe use, RBI operates e-BAAT training programmes on payment products, fraud mitigation and grievance redressal, observes an annual Digital Payments Awareness Week, launched Mission 'Har Payment Digital', initiated '75 Digital Villages' with Payment System Operators, and conducts multimedia public campaigns emphasising customer safety and convenience.