Ceremony to Obtain RBI Governor's Signature for Banknote Printing

Shri Sanjay Malhotra assumed office as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 11, 2024, for a three-year term, succeeding Shri Shaktikanta Das.

Under Section 22 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the RBI holds the exclusive authority to issue banknotes in India. As stipulated in Section 6 of the Reserve Bank of India (Note Issue) Regulations, 1935, these banknotes bear the signature of the Governor. A significant ceremonial duty in this regard is the acquisition of the Governor's specimen signature for its integration into the printing process of new banknotes.

On December 12, 2024, a formal ceremony took place to obtain Shri Malhotra’s specimen signature. The event was attended by Shri T. Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor; Shri Vivek Deep, Executive Director; the Chief General Manager-In-Charge of the Department of Currency Management, RBI; and the Managing Director of Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBI responsible for banknote printing.

During the ceremony, Shri Malhotra’s specimen signatures were carefully documented to ensure their precise replication on banknotes. Once digital proofs featuring the new Governor’s signature are finalized, the engraving process will begin, integrating the signature into the designs of banknotes across all denominations at the four banknote printing presses.

The release of new banknotes in denominations of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500, bearing Shri Malhotra’s signature, is expected soon, marking a significant milestone in his tenure as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.