Scribbling on Banknotes

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

ND.ID.(Res.). No. 4530/04.00.001/2016-17

April 25, 2017

The Controlling Head

All Banks under the jurisdiction

of New Delhi Issue Circle

Madam / Dear Sir,

Scribbling  on Banknotes

Of late, we have been receiving complaints from members of general public that majority of the bank branches are not accepting banknotes, specifically in the denomination of Rs. 500 and Rs. 2000, with anything written/colour on them and banknotes whose colour has faded due to washing or any other reason.

2. It has been reported that the bank branches are refusing to accept the scribbled/coloured/faded banknotes in wake of rumours circulating in the social media that such banknotes will not be accepted in the banking channel. The Reserve Bank, vide Press Release No. 2013-2014/1311 dated December 31, 2013 (copy enclosed), urged members of public and bank officials not to write anything on banknotes as it went against the Reserve Bank’s Clean Note Policy. However, it is also clarified that scribbled/coloured/faded banknotes are to be accepted from members of general public by all banks and the same may be treated as soiled

3. All the Controlling Heads are advised to instruct their bank’s branches to follow the above instructions scrupulously and not refuse to accept such banknotes from the customers. Failure to comply with the instructions would be Viewed seriously and may invite punitive action

Yours faithfully,

(G C. Talukdar) General Manager

Encl.: As above

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

Website www.rbi.org.in

email: hgliadgc0rbi.orscin

December 31, 2013

RBI’s clarification on Scribbling on Banknotes

In the wake of rumours circulating in the market that from January 1, 2014, banks will not accept banknotes with anything written on them, the Reserve Bank has urged members of public not to fall prey to such rumours and to use their banknotes without any fear. The Reserve Bank of India has clarified it has NOT issued any such instructions.

It has further clarified that it had issued instructions on August 14, 2013 only to banks advising them to instruct their staff not to scribble or write on the body of the banknotes since it was observed that the bank officials themselves were in the habit of writing on banknotes which went against the Reserve Bank’s Clean Note Policy.

Reiterating that writing or scribbling on banknotes works against its Clean Note Policy, the Reserve Bank has also sought co-operation from all members of public, institutions and others in keeping the banknotes clean by not writing/scribbling anything on them.

Press Release: 2013-2014/1311

Alpana Killawala

Principal Chief General Manager

Download RBI Circular on Scribbling on Banknotes