Overview
The RBI released its annual report for the financial year 2025‑26, showing a 5.7% increase in the detection of counterfeit notes. The surge is driven mainly by fake ₹500 and ₹200 notes.
Key Developments
- Total counterfeit notes detected rose to 2,29,746 pieces, up from 2,17,396 the previous year.
- Fake ₹500 notes increased 20.5% to 1,41,907 pieces.
- ₹20 counterfeit notes jumped 47.4% to 373 pieces.
- Counterfeit ₹200 notes fell to 30,591 pieces, while ₹100 notes declined to 45,621 pieces.
- Detection by the RBI itself remained low at 5,412 notes (2.4% of total), with the remaining 97.6% found by other banks.
Important Facts
• The withdrawal of the ₹2,000 note led to a sharp fall in its counterfeit detections, from 3,508 to 824 pieces.
• Disposal of soiled banknotes dropped by 28.6%, from 2.38 lakh to 1.72 lakh pieces. The highest disposal volume remained for ₹500 notes (59.8 lakh pieces).
Exam Relevance
The data highlights challenges in currency management. Aspirants should note the RBI’s role in safeguarding the integrity of the monetary system, a frequent topic in GS3. The rise in counterfeit activity underscores the need for stronger surveillance, forensic