The Central Government has approved the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) proposal to introduce ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes for field trials. As part of the pilot, the RBI plans to issue one billion polymer notes of each denomination to assess their durability, security and performance under real-world conditions.
Polymer banknotes are made from a special plastic substrate and are known to last significantly longer than conventional paper notes. They are also more resistant to moisture, dirt, tearing and counterfeiting, making them a preferred choice in several countries around the world.
The government has clarified that this is only a field trial and there is no proposal to replace existing paper currency. If the trials are successful, the RBI may consider the regular issuance of polymer ₹10 and ₹20 notes while continuing paper notes in circulation.
