HomeCirculars › RBI/2022-23/90

RBI's Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme Incentives

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/90 · issued 01 Apr 2022 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI's CDES framework offers financial incentives to banks for better currency management and customer service. Banks get reimbursements for setting up currency chests in underbanked areas, exchanging soiled notes, and distributing coins, with higher incentives for rural/semi-urban coin distribution.

What changed

This Master Direction consolidates and updates previous circulars on the Currency Distribution and Exchange Scheme (CDES). It formalizes the incentive framework for bank branches and currency chests based on performance in customer service related to clean note policy. The key change is the codification of existing guidelines into a single master direction.

What it means for you

Banks can now claim financial incentives for currency chests in underbanked areas, soiled note exchange, and coin distribution without separate claims. This encourages better customer service and infrastructure in underserved regions. Banks must ensure proper documentation and pass on incentives to linked branches.

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

Who it affects

All scheduled commercial banks, Currency chest branches, Bank branches in rural and semi-urban areas, Banks operating in underbanked states and North Eastern region

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Do we need to submit separate claims for incentives?

No, incentives are paid automatically based on net withdrawal from currency chest for coins and receipt of soiled notes in RBI Issue Office. No separate claim is needed.

What is the incentive for setting up a currency chest in the North Eastern region?

Capital expenditure is reimbursed up to 100% subject to a ceiling of ₹50 lakh per chest. Revenue expenditure is reimbursed at 50% for the first 5 years.

How is coin distribution incentive calculated for rural areas?

You get ₹65 per bag for coin distribution, plus an additional ₹10 per bag for rural and semi-urban areas, provided a Concurrent Auditor certificate is submitted.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Notifications - Reserve Bank of India Skip to main content Selected Selected Change Language हिंदी Search the Website Search Home About Us ▼ About Us Organisation & Functions ▶ Organisation Structure Departments Offices Training Establishment ▶ College of Agricultural Banking Reserve Bank Staff College College of Supervisors RBI's Functions and Working Governors Deputy Governors Executive Directors Communication Policy of RBI Sources of Information ▶ Annual Publications Half-yearly Publications Quarterly Publications Monthly Publications Weekly Publications Occasional Publications SDDS NSDP Data Releases Publications available on Subscription General Information RBI History Museum ▶ The RBI Museum RBI Monetary Museum Notification ▼ Notifications Master Directions Master Circulars Amendment Directions Draft Notifications/Guidelines ▶ Draft Notifications/Guidelines Draft Directions (RE-wise) Index To RBI Circulars Standalone Circulars Circulars Withdrawn Press Releases Speeches & Media Interactions ▼ Speeches Media Interactions Memorial Lectures Podcasts Publications ▼ Biennial Annual Half-Yearly Quarterly Bi-monthly Monthly Weekly Occasional Reports Working Papers Legal Framework ▼ Act Rules Regulations Schemes Research ▼ External Research Schemes RBI Occasional Papers Working Papers RBI Bulletin History DRG Studies KLEMS State Statistics and Finances Statistics ▼ Data Releases Database on Indian Economy Public Debt Statistics Regulatory Reporting ▼ List of Returns Data Definition Validation rules/ Taxonomy List of RBI Reporting Portals FAQs of RBI Reporting Portals Home Notifications Notifications Withdrawn with effect from November 16, 2021, February 18, 2022, May 02, 2022, May 13, 2022, May 21, 2024, July 12, 2024 & October 01, 2024 ( 728 kb ) Master Direction on Framework of Incentives for Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme for bank branches including currency chests based on performance in rendering customer service to the members of public RBI/2022-23/90 DCM (CC) No.G-3/03.41.01/2022-23 April 01, 2022 The Chairman/Managing Director/Chief Executive Officers All banks Madam / Dear Sir, Master Direction on Framework of Incentives for Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme for bank branches including currency chests based on performance in rendering customer service to the members of public In terms of the Preamble to & under Section 45 of the RBI Act, 1934 and 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949; the Bank issues guidelines / instructions for realising the objectives of Clean Note Policy as part of currency management. With a view to furthering these objectives, the Bank has formulated a framework of incentives titled Currency Distribution and Exchange Scheme (CDES) to encourage all bank branches to provide better customer services to the members of public. 2. The Master Direction enclosed incorporates updated guidelines / circulars on the subject. The Direction shall be updated from time to time as and when fresh instructions are issued. Yours faithfully, (Sanjeev Prakash) Chief General Manager Encl: As above Annex Master Direction on Framework of Incentives for “Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme (CDES)” for bank branches including currency chests based on performance in rendering customer service to the members of public 1. The framework of incentives titled Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme (CDES) for bank branches including currency chests has been formulated in order to encourage all bank branches to provide better customer service to the members of public keeping in view the objectives of Clean Note Policy as part of currency management. 2. Incentives As per the scheme, banks are eligible for following financial incentives for setting up requisite infrastructure and facilitating exchange of notes and coins: Sr. No. Nature of Service Particulars of Incentives i) Opening of and maintaining currency chests at centres having population of less than 1 lakh in underbanked states. a. Capital Cost: Reimbursement of 50% of capital expenditure subject to a ceiling of ₹50 lakh per currency chest. In the North Eastern region up to 100% of capital expenditure is eligible for reimbursement subject to the ceiling of ₹50 lakh. b. Revenue cost: Reimbursement of 50% of revenue expenditure for first 3 years. In the North Eastern region 50% of revenue expenditure is eligible for reimbursement for first 5 years. ii) Exchange of soiled notes/ adjudication of mutilated notes over the counter at bank branches. a. Exchange of soiled notes – ₹2 per packet for exchange of soiled notes up to the denomination of ₹50. b. Adjudication of mutilated notes – ₹2 per piece iii) Distribution of coins. i. ₹65 per bag for distribution of coins. ii. An additional incentive of ₹10/- per bag shall be paid for coin distribution in rural and semi-urban areas on the submission of a Concurrent Auditor (CA) certificate to this effect. iii. The incentives shall be paid on the basis of net withdrawal from currency chest, without waiting for claims from banks. 3. Other operational instructions on payment of performance-based incentives The incentives shall be paid on the basis of receipt of soiled notes in the Issue Office of RBI. Incentive shall be paid in respect of the adjudicated notes received along with the soiled note remittances / sent separately by registered / insured post in a sealed cover to RBI. Banks do not need to submit a separate claim for the incentives. Currency chest branch shall pass on the incentive to the linked branches/chests for the soiled notes tendered / coins distributed/ mutilated notes adjudicated by them on pro-rata basis. The distribution of coins shall be verified by RBI Regional Offices through inspection of currency chest / incognito visit to branches, etc. Instructions issued vide circular DCM(CC) No.97527/03.41.01/2021-22 dated August 27, 2021 remains unchanged. 2026 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2025 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2024 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2023 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2021 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2020 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2019 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2018 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2017 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Archives 2016 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2015 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2014 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2013 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2012 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2011 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2010 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2009 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2008 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2007 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2006 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2004 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2003 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2002 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2001 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2000 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1999 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1998 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1997 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1996 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1995 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1994 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1993 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1992 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1991 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Top Back to previous page More Links : Bank Holidays Banking Glossary Citizen's Charter Complaints Contact Us COVID-19 Measures E-LMS Events FAQs Financial Education Forms IFSC/MICR Codes Important Websites Opportunities @ RBI RBI Clarifications RBI Kehta Hai RBI’s Vision and Values (1257 kb)--> Right to Information Act Tenders Follow RBI RSS Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn © Reserve Bank of India. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap | Disclaimer Website owned and managed by Reserve Bank of India. Contact us on helpdoc[at]rbi[dot]org[dot]in Website last updated date: Jul 27, 2026 Supports: Google Chrome 147+ | Firefox 150+ | Microsoft Edge Version 147+ | Safari 17+ Accessibility Statement | Screen Reader and Accessibility Help
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/90 · issued 01 Apr 2022. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related

💬 Banker Discussion

Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.

Loading comments…
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=12269&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.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗