The government has approved the Reserve Bank of India’s proposal to issue ₹10 and ₹20 notes in polymer, aiming to enhance durability and reduce of lower-denomination currency.
₹10 and ₹20
Polymer Note Denominations
⏳ Time Machine
How today’s news fits into the bigger picture
1999
High-Security Paper Upgrade
The RBI introduced new security features to its paper banknotes to combat increasing cross-border threats.
November 2016
Demonetization
The abrupt withdrawal of ₹500 and ₹1000 notes triggered a massive digital transformation and temporary cash management crisis.
2024
Digital Infrastructure Push
The expansion of UPI and other digital public goods set the stage for a more efficient, integrated approach to both cash and electronic money.
Today
RBI to issue ₹10 and ₹20 polymer notes.
What happens next?
Full-scale rollout expected across India over the next 12-18 months.
India is set to overhaul its lower-denomination currency circulation. Following government approval, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will begin issuing ₹10 and ₹20 banknotes on a polymer substrate instead of the traditional cotton-based paper. Polymer notes are significantly more durable, lasting three to four times longer than paper equivalents, and are notoriously difficult to counterfeit due to the advanced technology required for printing on plastic surfaces. This shift is expected to lower the long-term cost of currency management, as the frequency of replacing soiled or damaged notes will drop sharply. While this represents a significant technical transition for the central bank, the rollout will be gradual, ensuring that existing paper notes remain valid for daily transactions alongside the new, cleaner plastic currency.
💭 If you're wondering…
Yes. The introduction of polymer notes will be gradual and will occur alongside the existing paper currency, which remains legal tender.
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Official sources
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