India clears 2 billion polymer Rs 10 and Rs 20 notes for RBI field trials

The government has approved RBI’s printing of 1 billion polymer Rs 10 notes and 1 billion Rs 20 notes. The pilot could affect cash handling for retailers, particularly high-volume small-ticket stores, after procurement and safety checks are completed.

— Filed Tue, 28 Jul, 2026, 06:33 IST · Source Times of India · Business · Updated

The government has cleared RBI to print 2 billion polymer Rs 10 and Rs 20 notes for field trials and eventual regular issue, a cash-payment infrastructure change relevant to Indian retailers handling high-volume small-denomination transactions.

Why this matters

The approval extends RBI's recent polymer-currency trial plans, following signals on a ₹3,000 crore polymer ₹10 and ₹20 note pilot in five cities and its proposed ₹1 crore securitisation investment minimum.

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