Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs)-Detection, Reporting and Monitoring
UR
- Applies toAll regulated entities
- StatusIn force
- IssuedJul 31, 2026
- Amendmentsnone tracked
- Length12 points in 3 sections · 1 min read
The four dates on this rule
- PublishedJul 31, 2026The day RBI put this document out. This is the same day as the Issued date on this rule.
- Starts to applyNot statedNot stated separately in this document. Read the rule itself before you assume a start date.
- Time to get readyNot statedCannot be worked out until the day it starts to apply is known.
- Last date to actSeptember 15, 2026The day by which the work this rule asks for must be finished.
This rulebook is short, and the page is short with it. This is a one-page circular, not a Master Direction -- 483 words of real text once the RBI menu and its own notification archive list are stripped out. Twelve points, the background plus every dated duty it states, is what it actually says.
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What it says
How firm is each point
Stated by RBI — RBI’s own paragraph says this. We have only made it plainer.
Our reading — BankPulse read RBI’s paragraph and shortened it. The paragraph is the authority, not this line.
Needs judgement — RBI leaves this to the bank to settle, so nobody can give you a fixed number here.
Must know
1. Train staff who handle cash
Banks must train every cash-handling staff member to spot fake notes.
2. Never return a fake note
A bank must never return or destroy a fake note itself.
3. Penalty for breaking these rules
RBI can penalise a bank for breaking these detection and reporting rules.
4. Cash-staff training deadline
Every cash-handling staff member must be trained by 31 October 2026.
5. Border staff trained sooner
Border-branch staff must be trained by 15 September 2026, on priority.
6. Report training compliance
This report goes through the FNV Cell to RBI's Issue Office. It is due by 7 November 2026, and by 22 September 2026, for each duty.
7. Equip border branches
Branches in border districts need note-checking machines.
8. Watch for fake-note hotspots
The FNV Cell tracks fake-note patterns and hotspots in its own bank.
9. Keep a monitoring system
Banks must set up their own system to track compliance with this rule.
10. Send a progress report
A plan-of-action progress report is due by 15 September 2026.
Background
1. Sent to every bank
This notice goes to every bank's Chairman, MD or CEO.
2. Builds on the FICN rules
This notice adds to RBI's rules on fake note detection.