No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/129 · issued 25 Jul 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has revised counterfeit note reporting: for up to 4 fake notes in one transaction, send a consolidated monthly report to police; for 5 or more, file an FIR immediately. This replaces the earlier blanket FIR requirement.
What changed
Previously, all counterfeit note detections required an FIR. Now, detections of up to 4 pieces in a single transaction can be reported via a consolidated monthly report to police, while 5 or more pieces still require an immediate FIR. The change follows a review with the Government of India to ensure prompt reporting.
What it means for you
Banks and treasuries now have a tiered reporting process, reducing the administrative burden for small-scale counterfeit finds. For 4 or fewer notes, monthly consolidation saves time and resources, but for 5 or more, immediate FIRs remain mandatory. This aligns with efforts to streamline currency management and improve police coordination.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Update branch procedures to distinguish between detections of up to 4 and 5+ counterfeit notes in a single transaction.
For up to 4 notes, compile and send a consolidated monthly report to police using the prescribed format.
For 5 or more notes, lodge an FIR with the nodal police station immediately.
Ensure all staff are trained on the revised procedure and acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Discuss reporting progress in SLBC, Standing Committee on Currency Management, and State Level Security Committee meetings.
Who it affects
Commercial banks, Cooperative banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Private banks, Foreign banks, State treasuries and sub-treasuries
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 23:55 IST
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the threshold for filing an FIR versus a monthly report?
For detection of 5 or more counterfeit notes in a single transaction, an FIR must be lodged immediately. For up to 4 notes, a consolidated monthly report to police is sufficient.
Does this circular replace all previous instructions on counterfeit notes?
No, only the FIR requirement is revised. Other instructions from the Master Circular dated July 1, 2011 remain unchanged.
What should we do if we face implementation issues?
Consult the Regional Director of RBI in your state for resolution.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/129
DCM(FNVD) No. 502/16.01.05/2011-12
July 25, 2011
The Chairman / Managing Director,
Commercial Banks,Cooperative Banks, RRBs /
Private Banks,Foreign Banks and
Director of Treasuries of all States
Dear Sir/Madam,
Detection of Counterfeit Banknotes – Revised Procedure
Please refer to the Master Circular DCM (FNVD) No. G-5/16.01.05/2011-12 dated July 1, 2011 on the above subject. In terms of Para 4 of the circular, among other things, FIRs are required to be filed in respect of all cases of counterfeit banknotes.
2. The matter has been reviewed in consultation with the Government of India, and in order to ensure that all cases of detection of counterfeit notes at the bank branches / treasuries are promptly reported to the police authorities, it has been decided to revise the procedure to be followed on detection of counterfeit banknotes at bank branches, treasuries and sub treasuries. Accordingly, the following procedure should be adopted with immediate effect:
For cases of detection of counterfeit notes upto 4 pieces, in a single transaction, a consolidated report as per the format prescribed in the annex should be sent to the police authorities at the end of the month.
For cases of detection of counterfeit notes of 5 or more pieces, in a single transaction, FIRs should be lodged with the Nodal Police Station / Police Authorities as per jurisdiction, in terms of our Master Circular ibid. 3. Other instructions in the above Master Circular will remain unchanged.
4. Problems, if any, in implementation, may be resolved in consultation with the Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, of the State concerned.
5. Progress in the area of reporting should be discussed in the meetings of State Level Bankers’ Committee, Standing Committee on Currency Management and State Level Security Committee held in various States.
6. Banks may please bring the contents of the circular to the notice of their branches and ensure that the above instructions are being followed both in letter and spirit.
7. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. N Krishna Mohan)
Chief General Manager
Encl: One
Annex
Detection of Counterfeit Notes- Upto 04 pieces in a single transaction-Consolidated monthly reporting
Name of the Bank/ branch:
Particulars of the tenderer
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/129 · issued 25 Jul 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=6637&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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