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New Delhi, 31 August 2026: To curb the business of fake notes and economic conspiracies, the Reserve Bank of India is now taking a big step towards introducing plastic (polymer) currency notes in the country. Strict conditions have been imposed in the global tender for the new currency, keeping national security paramount, due to which direct or indirect entry of any vendor or supplier associated with China or Pakistan has become completely difficult.

To introduce low value plastic notes in the country, Indian and foreign companies have bid for the supply of polymer substrate sheets with inbuilt security features. Under the global 'Expression of Interest' issued by 'Reserve Bank of India Note Printing Private Limited', a subsidiary of RBI, two foreign polymer currency manufacturing companies and an Indian substrate company, which has partnered with the famous UK note manufacturing company 'De La Rue', have expressed interest.

Keeping in mind the sensitivity of polymer notes, the companies have had to give an integrity pact, confidentiality agreement and an undertaking that they will keep their operations in India completely separate (firewall) from their operations in China and Pakistan. Additionally, the polymer substrate supplied must not contain animal fat or its DNA.

• How many sheets will be required?

Reserve Bank of India Note Printing Private Limited has indicated an immediate requirement of approximately 68000 reams of polymer substrate for printing Indian currency notes. Each ream must contain 500 sheets. These samples will be tested in different climatic zones. India's leading company 'Cosmo First' is also involved in this race, which is the main supplier of 'De La Rue'. Apart from this, Australia's 'CCL Sure' and Vietnamese company have also bid for this tender. The Reserve Bank is initially working on a plan to introduce polymer currency for 10 and 20 rupee notes.