Letters you can copy
Seven templates in the shape that has worked for me. Replace the highlighted parts. Keep them short; every extra paragraph is one the officer has to get through.
1. First complaint to the bank
This starts the 30-day clock. Send it to the grievance email on the bank's website and keep the acknowledgement.
Subject: Formal complaint – [one-line description] – [account/card last 4 digits] Dear Sir/Madam, This is a formal complaint. What happened 1. On [date], [fact]. 2. On [date], [fact]. 3. I raised this on [date] (reference [SR number]) and it was not resolved. What is wrong [One or two sentences: the error, delay or missing information.] What I am asking for 1. [Correct the record / reverse the charge of ₹X / confirm in writing that …] 2. [A written explanation of how this happened.] 3. [Compensation of ₹Y for the delay and inconvenience.] Please reply in writing within 30 days. If I do not receive a satisfactory reply I will approach the RBI Ombudsman under the Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026. Attached: [list] [Name] [Registered mobile]
2. Escalation to the nodal officer
Optional, but a rejection from this level is a final reply you can file on straight away.
Subject: Escalation to Principal Nodal Officer – complaint [reference] dated [date] Dear Sir/Madam, I complained on [date] (reference [number]). The reply dated [date] does not resolve it because [it does not address X / it is a template response / it is factually wrong on Y]. The question that remains unanswered is: [one question]. Please treat this as an escalation and give me the bank's final written position within [7] days. My original complaint is below. [Name]
3. Ombudsman complaint text
For the "facts of the complaint" box on the CMS portal, or as a cover note in your PDF.
Complaint against [legal name of entity] Summary [One sentence stating the failure. Example: The bank reported a credit enquiry in my name on 3 June 2026 without any application or consent from me, and has not removed it.] Timeline (page numbers refer to the attached PDF) [date] – [event] (p. [n]) [date] – Written complaint to the entity, reference [number] (p. [n]) [date] – Entity's reply / no reply received in 30 days (p. [n]) Deficiency in service 1. [What the entity should have done and did not.] 2. [Its reply did not address … / it gave no specific reason / it took N days.] Relief sought 1. [Correction / refund / information] 2. [Written confirmation that this has been done.] 3. [Compensation of ₹Y for delay, time and inconvenience.] Declarations I complained to the entity in writing on [date]. This matter is not pending before and has not been decided by any court, tribunal, arbitrator or other forum, and I have not filed it with the RBI Ombudsman before.
4. Rebuttal to the bank's reply
Reply to the email that forwarded the bank's comments, inside the deadline, keeping the case ID in the subject line.
Subject: [Case ID as received] – Complaint No. [N…] – complainant's comments Dear Sir/Madam, Complaint No. [N…] against [entity]. I am not satisfied with the entity's reply. Please do not close this complaint. My comments are below. 1. What the reply admits. [e.g. The entity confirms that my email was linked to another customer's record.] 2. What has been done. [e.g. I confirm the entry was removed on (date) and ₹X was credited on (date).] 3. What the reply gets wrong. [State the fact, then the document that shows it: "The entity says the dispute was raised on (date). My purchase was on (later date), see p. 3."] 4. What the reply does not answer. [The question from the original complaint that is still open.] 5. The entity's documents contradict each other. [Document A says …; document B says …] Relief still sought 1. […] 2. […] I do not consent to closure until the above is addressed. [Name]
5. Supplementary submission
For evidence that turns up after filing. Send it into the existing complaint; do not file a new one.
Subject: Complaint No. [N…] – [entity] – supplementary submission and request for copy of the entity's response To the Office of the RBI Ombudsman, Further to my complaint [N…] registered on [date], I place the following on record. 1. [New fact or document, with date.] 2. [How it bears on the complaint.] I have not received a copy of the entity's written response to this complaint. I request that it be shared with me so that I can comment before any decision. [Name]
6. Compensation not paid
First to the bank, with a short deadline. If that fails, use the same text as a fresh complaint on the portal.
Subject: Complaint [N…] – compensation of ₹[amount] not credited – account details furnished on [date] Dear Sir/Madam, The closure letter dated [date] in RBI Ombudsman complaint [N…] records that the bank will pay me compensation of ₹[amount]. I sent my account details on [date]. They have not been acknowledged and no amount has been credited as of [today]. Please credit the amount and confirm the transaction reference within [3] working days. Failing that I will file a fresh complaint with the RBI Ombudsman for non-compliance, quoting the above complaint number. [Name]
7. Consent recorded wrongly
If a closure says you agreed and you did not. Send it the same day, and keep it factual.
Subject: [N…] – closure records my consent wrongly – request to correct the record To the Office of the RBI Ombudsman, My complaint [N…] against [entity] was closed today under the clause for resolution with the complainant's agreement. I did not agree to closure. On the call of [date, time] I confirmed only that [the fact you confirmed]. I did not say that my grievance was resolved, and my written comments of [date] say the opposite. I request that the record be corrected and the complaint be examined on the points in my comments of [date]. [Name]
About these templatesThey are a starting point drawn from my own letters, with the specifics removed. They are not legal advice, and using them does not guarantee a result.