HomeCirculars › RBI/DCM/2024-25/113

RBI's Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme (CDES) Incentives

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/DCM/2024-25/113 · issued 01 Apr 2024 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has issued a Master Direction formalizing incentives under the Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme (CDES) for bank branches and currency chests. Banks can claim capital/revenue cost reimbursement for chests in underbanked areas, plus per-packet/piece fees for soiled note exchange, mutilated note adjudication, and coin distribution.

What changed

RBI consolidated and updated all previous circulars on the CDES into a single Master Direction effective April 1, 2024. The framework specifies financial incentives for setting up currency chests in underbanked states (including enhanced support for the North Eastern region), fees for soiled note exchange and mutilated note adjudication, and coin distribution incentives with an additional rural/semi-urban bonus.

What it means for you

Banks can now claim up to 50% capital cost reimbursement (100% in North East) for new currency chests in towns with population under 1 lakh in underbanked states, capped at ₹50 lakh per chest. Revenue cost reimbursement is available for 3 years (5 years in North East). Standardized service charges for soiled note packets (₹2 per packet for denominations up to ₹50), mutilated note pieces (₹2 each), and coin bags (₹65 per bag, plus ₹10 extra in rural/semi-urban areas) provide clear revenue streams for branch-level currency operations.

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 with currency chests, Bank branches handling over-the-counter currency exchange, Non-chest branches linked to currency chests under the linkage scheme, Banks operating in underbanked states and North Eastern region

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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What is the incentive for opening a new currency chest in an underbanked area?

Banks can claim reimbursement of 50% of capital expenditure (inclusive of taxes) up to ₹50 lakh per chest. In the North Eastern region, up to 100% of capital expenditure is reimbursable, subject to the same ₹50 lakh ceiling. Revenue expenditure is reimbursed at 50% for the first 3 years (5 years in North East).

How are incentives for coin distribution calculated?

Banks receive ₹65 per bag of coins distributed, based on net withdrawal from the currency chest. An additional ₹10 per bag is paid for distribution in rural and semi-urban areas, provided a concurrent auditor certificate is submitted. No separate claim form is needed; RBI pays based on chest withdrawal data.

Do non-chest branches get any benefit under CDES?

Yes. Non-chest branches that deposit soiled notes or distribute coins through a linked currency chest receive a pro-rata share of the incentives from the chest branch. The chest branch must pass on the applicable fees for soiled note packets, mutilated notes, and coin distribution to the linked branches.

📜 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 ( 715 kb ) Master Direction on Framework of incentives for Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme for bank branches including currency chests RBI/DCM/2024-25/113 DCM (CC) No.G-3/03.41.01/2024-25 April 1, 2024 The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All banks Madam / Dear Sir, Master Direction on Framework of incentives for Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme for bank branches including currency chests In terms of the Preamble to and Section 45 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (RBI Act) and Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, Reserve Bank of India 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 the bank branches to provide better customer services to the members of public. 2. The enclosed Master Direction incorporates updated guidelines / circulars on the subject. 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 1. The framework of incentives, titled Currency Distribution & Exchange Scheme (CDES) for bank branches including Currency Chests (CCs), based on performance in rendering customer service to the members of public has been formulated to encourage all the bank branches to provide better customer service to the members of public keeping in view the objectives of Clean Note Policy. 2. Incentives As per the scheme, banks are eligible for the following financial incentives / service charges for setting up requisite infrastructure and facilitating exchange / distribution of notes and coins: Sr. No. Nature of Service Particulars of Incentives / Service Charges i Opening of and maintaining CCs at centres having population of less than 1 lakh, in underbanked states a. Capital Cost: Reimbursement of 50% of capital expenditure (inclusive of all taxes) subject to a ceiling of ₹50 lakh per CC. In the North Eastern region, up to 100% of capital expenditure is eligible for reimbursement subject to the ceiling of ₹50 lakh (inclusive of all taxes). b. Revenue cost: Reimbursement of 50% of revenue expenditure (inclusive of all taxes) for the first 3 years. In the North Eastern region, 50% of revenue expenditure (inclusive of all taxes) is eligible for reimbursement for the 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 in the denominations up to ₹50/- and below. b. Adjudication of mutilated notes – ₹2/- per piece. iii Distribution of coins a. ₹65/- per bag 1 for distribution of coins. b. 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. iv Cash deposit by non-chest branches under Linkage scheme with CCs Service charge to be levied by the CC on the non-chest branches a. Large modern CCs 2 – ₹8/- per 100 pieces. b. Other CCs – ₹5/- per 100 pieces. 3. Other operational instructions on payment of performance-based incentives The incentives shall be paid on the soiled notes actually received in the Issue Office of the RBI. Incentive shall be paid in respect of the adjudicated notes received along with the soiled note remittances or sent separately by registered / insured post in a sealed cover to the RBI. The incentive for distribution of coins shall be paid on the basis of net withdrawal from the currency chest. 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 deposited / 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 chests / incognito visit to branches, etc. Instructions issued vide circular DCM(CC) No.97527/03.41.01/2021-22 dated August 27, 2021 remain unchanged. 1 For incentive calculation, 5000 pieces of 50 paise coins; 2500 pieces of ₹1, ₹2 or ₹5 coins; 2000 pieces of ₹10 or ₹20 coins would be deemed to constitute one bag. 2 Large modern CCs are those CCs which fulfil the Minimum Standards for a CC as detailed in the circular RBI/2018-19/166 DCM(CC) No. 2842/03.39.01/2018-19 dated April 08, 2019. 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. 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Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/DCM/2024-25/113 · issued 01 Apr 2024. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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