Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs)-Detection, Reporting and Monitoring

Source: Reserve Bank of India

Category: Digital Lending

Published: Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:05:00

RBI/2026-27/220 DCM (FNVD) No.S1335/16.01.05/2026-27 July 31, 2026 The Chairman/ Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer All Banks Madam/ Dear Sir, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs)-Detection, Reporting and Monitoring Master Direction (MD) on Counterfeit Notes – Detection, Reporting and Monitoring dated April 01, 2026 , prescribes comprehensive instructions to the banks on detection, reporting, and monitoring of counterfeit notes. In this regard, the banks are mandated to train all their employees handling cash about the security features of genuine banknotes to enable them for detecting counterfeit notes. All banknotes received by the bank shall be examined for authenticity through machines, counterfeit notes should be impounded in all cases and in no case the counterfeit note shall be returned to tenderer or destroyed at the bank. All detected FICNs should be reported, as per prescribed guidelines. The bank shall be penalized for breach of the guidelines of the referred MD, such as detection of counterfeit notes in currency remittances to RBI/ currency chest balances/ ATM dispensations/ over-the-counter payments, non-impounding of counterfeit notes, etc. 2. However, an