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RBI Mandates Note Sorting Machines for Banks

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/228 · issued 19 Nov 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all scheduled commercial, state co-op, and urban co-op banks to install note sorting machines for Rs. 100 and above notes. Branches with daily cash receipts over Rs. 1 crore must comply by March 2010; those with Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore by March 2011.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A cash manager at a bank in Mumbai must ensure that all notes of Rs. 100 and above are processed through a note sorting machine before they are re-issued to customers, to prevent counterfeit notes from being circulated. This means investing in the right machines and training staff to use them, to meet the deadlines set by the Reserve Bank of India. By doing so, the cash manager is helping to maintain the integrity of the currency in circulation.

What changed

RBI issued a directive under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, making it mandatory for banks to process all Rs. 100 and higher denomination notes through RBI-prescribed machines before re-issuing them over counters or via ATMs. This follows the Second Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2009-10 and recommendations from the High Level Group on Currency Distribution.

What it means for you

Banks must now invest in note sorting machines to detect counterfeit notes and ensure only clean, genuine notes are circulated. This adds operational costs and compliance timelines, but reduces counterfeit risk and improves currency quality. Non-compliance could invite regulatory action under the Banking Regulation Act.

What you must do

Who it affects

All scheduled commercial banks including RRBs, Scheduled state co-operative banks, Scheduled (primary) urban co-operative banks, Bank branches with high daily cash receipts

❓ Common questions

What denominations are covered under this mandate?

The directive applies to banknotes of Rs. 100 and above denominations only.

What are the deadlines for compliance?

Branches with average daily cash receipts over Rs. 1 crore must comply by March 2010; those with receipts between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore by March 2011.

What happens if a bank fails to install the machines on time?

The directive is issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, so non-compliance may invite regulatory action from RBI.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/228 DCM. No. Cir. NPD.3161/09.39.00 (Policy)/2009-2010 November 19, 2009 The Chairman and Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer All Scheduled Commercial Banks(Including RRBs)/ Scheduled State Co-operative Banks/ Scheduled (Primary) Urban Co-operative Banks Dear Sir, Sorting / Processing of Notes – Installation of Note Sorting Machines Please refer to paragraph 176 of the Second Quarter Review of Monetary Policy for the year 2009-10 announced on October 27, 2009 ( copy enclosed ). 2. With the sheer increase in the number of physical bank notes in circulation and the increase in the number of counterfeit notes detected/seized in recent period it is apparent that steps have to be taken by all stakeholders to address the issue regarding sorting of banknotes and detection of counterfeit notes. Ensuring detection of counterfeits and preventing their re-issue as well as providing good quality genuine bank notes is of paramount importance. 3. The High Level Group on Systems and Procedures for Currency Distribution, which submitted its report in August 2009 observed that the growing volumes of banknotes in circulation and the need to ensure that only clean and genuine banknotes are put into circulation by banks has made several suggestions in this regard. Use of appropriate machines help in detection of counterfeit notes at the time of entry in the banking channel itself. 4.  It has therefore been decided that bank notes in denominations of Rs. 100/- and above may be re-issued by banks over their counters or through ATMs only if these banknotes are duly checked for authenticity / genuineness and fitness by machines. For this purpose, banks should: (i)  Use such machines in all their branches having average daily cash receipts of Rs. 1 crore and above by March 2010. (ii)  Use such machines in all their branches having average daily cash receipts between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore by March 2011. 5.  Such machines should conform to the standards / parameters prescribed by Reserve Bank of India from time to time. 6.  Accordingly, our Directive DCM  No.Dir. NPD /3158/2009-10  dated November 19, 2009 is enclosed . 6.  Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully, (R. Gandhi) Chief General Manager Encl: As above DCM. No. Dir. NPD. 3158/09.39.00 (Policy)/2009-10 November 19, 2009 Sorting of Notes – Installation of Note Sorting Machines In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 the Reserve Bank of India, considering it necessary and expedient in public interest so to do, hereby directs that banks shall ensure that all notes in the denomination of Rs. 100/- and above are processed through machines conforming to the standards / parameters prescribed by Reserve Bank of India from time to time, before issuing them over their counters or through ATMs. The Reserve Bank of India further directs that: (i)  All bank branches having average daily cash receipts of over Rs. 1 crore shall start using such machines by March 2010. (ii) All bank branches having average daily cash receipts between Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore shall have start using such machines by March 2011. (V K Sharma) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/228 · issued 19 Nov 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Who does what — compliance checklist
🏦 Branch Manager
  • Assess average daily cash receipts at each branch to identify those exceeding Rs. 1 crore and those between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore.
  • Procure and install RBI-compliant note sorting machines in high-cash branches by the respective deadlines.
⚙️ Operations
  • Maintain records of machine compliance and report progress to RBI as required.
📜 Compliance
  • Ensure all Rs. 100 and above notes are machine-processed for authenticity and fitness before re-issue.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Branch Manager at a bank this circular applies to (All scheduled commercial banks including RRBs, Scheduled state co-operative banks, Scheduled (primary) urban co-operative banks, Bank branches with high daily cash receipts), your first concrete step on “RBI Mandates Note Sorting Machines for Banks” is: “Assess average daily cash receipts at each branch to identify those exceeding Rs. 1 crore and those between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore.” (RBI issued this 19 Nov 2009).

  1. Circular: RBI/2009-10/228 -- RBI Mandates Note Sorting Machines for Banks
  2. Issued: 19 Nov 2009
  3. Action required: Assess average daily cash receipts at each branch to identify those exceeding Rs. 1 crore and those between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore.
  4. Action required: Procure and install RBI-compliant note sorting machines in high-cash branches by the respective deadlines.
  5. Action required: Ensure all Rs. 100 and above notes are machine-processed for authenticity and fitness before re-issue.
  6. Action required: Maintain records of machine compliance and report progress to RBI as required.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly).
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5376&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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