Numismatics Collections

The Government of India has taken the first formal step towards the possible introduction of polymer banknotes after approving the Reserve Bank of India's proposal to conduct field trials of polymer-based ₹10 and ₹20 notes. The Ministry of Finance has authorised the RBI to print one billion pieces (one hundred crore) each of the ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes for pilot circulation across selected regions of the country. The approval was confirmed by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, in a written reply to questions raised in the Lok Sabha. According to the government, the RBI intends to introduce the polymer banknotes on a trial basis to evaluate their performance under India's diverse climatic and circulation conditions. The pilot project will assess factors such as durability, resistance to wear and tear, public acceptance, machine compatibility, and overall cost-effectiveness before any decision is taken on a wider rollout. The RBI has maintained that...

India has taken another significant step towards the possible introduction of polymer banknotes with Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) issuing a Global Expression of Interest (EOI) on July, 17 2026 for the manufacture and supply of opacified polymer substrate sheets with advanced security features. The initiative is aimed at identifying experienced domestic and international manufacturers capable of producing high-security polymer substrates suitable for printing Indian banknotes. While this does not confirm the immediate introduction of polymer currency, it demonstrates that the groundwork for its adoption is now progressing in a structured manner. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India and is under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Established in 1995 to augment the country's banknote printing capacity, BRBNMPL is responsible for the production ...

The possibility of India introducing polymer banknotes has once again entered public discussion following recent remarks by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra and the announcement of a major investment by German security technology company Giesecke+Devrient (G+D). While no official decision has yet been taken regarding polymer currency , the convergence of these developments has raised questions about whether G+D could emerge as an important partner in India's future currency transformation. India's economy is currently being viewed with considerable optimism by policymakers and global investors alike. RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra recently stated that the Indian economy presents a picture of strength, stability, and opportunity, supported by strong fundamentals, growth-oriented policies, and a forward-looking economic strategy. He also emphasized that India remains an attractive destination for domestic and international investment and that the coun...

The Reserve Bank of India is once again considering the introduction of polymer banknotes, reviving a proposal that was first explored more than a decade ago, according to a report by Business Standard. The move comes at a time when the cost of printing currency notes is rising sharply and billions of soiled notes continue to be withdrawn from circulation every year. The RBI is expected to announce a pilot project in the near future, with discussions reportedly taking place during the central bank’s last two board meetings held in Patna and Mumbai. Lower denomination notes such as the ₹10 and ₹20 are likely to be selected for the initial trial because they deteriorate quickly due to frequent circulation. Polymer banknotes are made from a synthetic plastic substrate instead of the traditional cotton-based paper used in Indian currency. These notes are generally more durable, resistant to moisture and dirt, and can last significantly longer in circulation. Polymer notes also allow the i...