Growth in India's currency in circulation (CiC) has reached a five-year high, primarily due to deposits under the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR(B), scheme, leading to a robust increase in reserve money, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) 'State of the Economy' report.
Cash remains dominant for many transactions despite continued expansion in digital payments across the country.
Police in Muzaffarnagar have busted a gang involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency, seizing fake Rs 500 notes with a face value of over Rs 5 lakh. Three individuals were arrested, and equipment used for printing the fake currency was recovered.
A yoga teacher from Surat and six others have been arrested in Ahmedabad for circulating fake Indian currency notes (FICN). Police estimate they may have circulated Rs 10 to 12 lakh in counterfeit money.
While there are several instruments in the RBI's disposal, the most effective one for infusing durable liquidity is bond purchase from the secondary market
A State Bank of India report indicates a sharp increase in precautionary cash holding in India, with the gap between per capita currency in circulation and ATM withdrawals widening significantly, driven by global uncertainties despite record digital payment transactions.
Police in Udham Singh Nagar have arrested two individuals and seized a significant amount of fake currency, uncovering a sophisticated operation involving counterfeit notes.
Reserve Bank Deputy Governor S C Murmu has highlighted the "cash paradox" where currency in circulation continues to grow despite a significant increase in digital payments. This trend complicates the RBI's forecasting and planning for currency production and distribution, prompting the central bank to seek solutions and explore ways to extend banknote life and reduce the carbon footprint of the cash cycle.
RBI Deputy Governor S C Murmu stated that the introduction of merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions is unlikely to cause a shift back to cash, despite some concerns, emphasising that MDR will help the payments ecosystem recover costs.
Two men were arrested in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, and counterfeit currency notes with a face value of Rs 2.38 lakh were seized from them, police said.
The primary objective of introduction of polymer notes was to increase its life and not to combat counterfeiting.
Police in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested four individuals involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency. The suspects were apprehended with fake notes and a colour printer used in the operation.
RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu has dismissed concerns that the new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 will increase cash transactions. He also clarified the 'cash paradox' of rising digital payments alongside cash in circulation, explaining cash's dual role. Murmu further detailed the RBI's extensive regulatory changes aimed at reducing compliance burdens and emphasised that accountability for AI-driven decisions in finance will remain with institutional boards.
A 50-year-old man was arrested in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for possessing counterfeit Indian currency notes. Police recovered Rs 20,000 in fake currency and are investigating the source and any accomplices.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported a 5.7 per cent increase in counterfeit currency notes detected in the banking system during 2025-26, with fake Rs 500 notes showing the sharpest rise, becoming the most detected denomination.
RBI says polymer notes have a significantly longer lifespan, potentially reducing printing costs and replacement frequency.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced plans to launch long-lasting polymer currency notes by the next financial year. He also discussed the central bank's data-dependent approach to interest rates, its focus on aligning inflation with the 4 per cent target, and the orderly trajectory of the rupee amidst geopolitical tensions.
Making UPI payments fee-based for some transactions could enhance mental reservations against digital payments -- which have largely been overcome -- once more. Do we want to regress?, asks R Jagannthan.
An inquiry committee's report into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, who faced removal proceedings over unaccounted cash found at his residence, was tabled in Rajya Sabha. The report details the investigation into the alleged discovery of burnt currency following a fire at his official residence. Justice Varma has since resigned, rendering the removal proceedings infructuous, though his resignation is yet to be formally notified.
India's banking system liquidity has fallen into a deficit for the first time in nearly three months, prompting the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to inject 1.41 trillion through a seven-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction to ease the temporary tightness.
Ahmedabad police, while investigating a murder, uncovered a large fake currency racket, seizing counterfeit notes worth Rs 28.9 lakh and arresting five men and apprehending a minor. The investigation revealed that the murder victim was the kingpin of the operation, killed by his associates due to abuse. Police are now probing the circulation of the remaining fake notes.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to introduce polymer banknotes to address the rising demand for currency, improve durability, and reduce production costs, with a pilot project expected soon.
Police in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested four individuals involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency. The suspects were apprehended with fake currency and a colour printer, and have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Is Bhutan merely experimenting with digital finance -- or is the Himalayan kingdom punching far above its weight, quietly playing one of the most sophisticated strategic games in Asia today? asks Varun Arya.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged theft and embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has found repeated instances of employees concealing cash during counting and flagged serious security and supervision lapses. The preliminary report, shared with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, indicates systematic irregularities and financial discrepancies among employees, leading to arrests and resignations within the trust.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai's statement has been recorded by Ayodhya police as part of the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, following his offer to resign over the controversy.
The high-value Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 5,956 crore are still in circulation, more than two years after the Reserve Bank's withdrawal of the currency notes, according to official data released on Monday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023.
An inquiry committee investigating allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, concerning unaccounted cash found at his residence, has submitted its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker. The report will be presented to both Houses of Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
The high-value Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 6,099 crore are still in circulation even after two years of the Reserve Bank withdrawing the currency, according to official data released on Tuesday. Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender.
The Judges Inquiry Committee, formed to investigate allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, has submitted its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker. The report, concerning allegations that led to impeachment proceedings, will be presented before both Houses of Parliament.
The high-value Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 6,181 crore are still in circulation after two years of the Reserve Bank withdrawing the currency, according to official data released on Monday. Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender.
The high value Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 6,266 crore are still in circulation after two years of the Reserve Bank withdrawing the currency, according to official data. The Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender.
The value and volume of banknotes in circulation increased by 7.8 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively, during 2022-23 as compared with 9.9 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively, in 2021-22, revealed the RBI annual report released on Tuesday. In value terms, the share of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 banknotes together accounted for 87.9 per cent of the total value of banknotes in circulation as on March 31, 2023, as compared to 87.1 per cent a year ago. The Reserve Bank has announced withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes, and holders of the highest value currency have been given time till September 30 to exchange or deposit them.
Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday said the key policy rates will remain at low levels for a long period and may go down even further.
The Dhurandhar movies will undoubtedly shape the minds of the audience much more than news reports, court investigations, books and documentaries. But it is worth remembering that Pakistan's irridentist claims against India's national security have succeeded due to strategic planning, diplomacy, and the unsung heroines and heroes across government agencies, not due to a single maverick leader, points out Shweta Desai.But it is worth to remember that Pakistan's irredentist claims against India's national security have succeeded due to strategic planning, diplomacy, and the unsung heroines and heroes across government agencies -- not a single maverick, points out Shweta Desai.
State-owned Engineers India and MECON as well as four private entities are in the fray for the project to comprehensively revamp RBI's currency management infrastructure in order to cater to future cash needs of the country's fast growing economy. The four private entities are: Accenture Solutions; Colliers International (India) Property Services; PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Boston Consulting Group (India).
The currency in circulation (CIC) declined by Rs 7,600 crore in the Diwali week, making it the first such happening in two decades, a report said on Thursday. This was made possible courtesy of a greater reliance on digital payments by people, the report by economists at SBI said, adding that the Indian economy is undergoing a structural transformation at present. They clarified that the Diwali week in 2009 had also witnessed a marginal Rs 950 crore decline in currency in circulation, but that was purely due to the economic slowdown amid the global financial crisis.
Going by the pace, almost 80 per cent of the demonetised currency is expected to be replaced by end-February.
There are enough people at the top decision-making level in Tehran who are still willing to negotiate, provided Trump can create the right setting for the negotiation to acquire a dynamic of its own, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
With weekly additions slowing, it's likely that demand could be slackening
