  Viability of the \mu-\tau interchange symmetry imposed as an approximate
symmetry (1) on the neutrino mass matrix {\cal M}_{\nu f} in the flavour basis
(2) simultaneously on the charged lepton mass matrix M_l and the neutrino mass
matrix M_\nu and (3) on the underlying Lagrangian is discussed in the light of
recent observation of a non-zero reactor mixing angle \theta_{13}. In case (1),
\mu-\tau symmetry breaking may be regarded as small (less than 20-30%) only for
the inverted or quasidegenerate neutrino mass spectrum and the normal hierarchy
would violate it by a large amount. The case (2) is more restrictive and the
requirement of relatively small breaking allows only the quasidegenerate
spectrum. If neutrinos obtain their masses from the type-I seesaw mechanism
then small breaking of the \mu-\tau symmetry in the underlying Lagrangian may
result in a large breaking in {\cal M}_{\nu f} and even the hierarchical
neutrino spectrum may also be consistent with mildly broken \mu-\tau symmetry
of the Lagrangian. Neutrinoless double beta decay provides a good means of
distinguishing above scenarios. In particular, non-observation of signal in
future experiments such as GERDA would rule out scenarios (1) and (2).
