Upcoming currency note design

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Vaishnavi Jayakumar

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Jun 5, 2026, 11:40:59 PM (8 days ago) Jun 5

to Srinivas Karnati, Prashant Ranjan Verma Delhi NAB, George Abraham, Egroup DRA, WE the PwD Egroup

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Mr. Srinivas.

@Prashant Ranjan Verma Delhi NAB @George Abraham who is right person to contact at RBI, given earlier advocacy?

Isn't there a blind RBI staffers group?

Press coverage : https://www.etvbharat.com/en/business/rbi-revives-plan-for-plastic-currency-notes-new-pilot-project-likely-soon-enn26060407344

On Sat, 6 Jun, 2026, 04:16 Srinivas Karnati, <srinivas...@gmail.com> wrote:

Subject: Urgent appeal for a joint or individual representation to the RBI regarding the accessibility of upcoming polymer plastic banknotes for the visually impaired.
Warm greetings to all members of the Access India community.
My name is Karnati Srinivas, and I am working as a school teacher in Suryapet, Telangana. As a person with 100% visual impairment, I am writing to bring a matter of immense importance to the attention of the prominent leaders, national and state representatives, and members of this group.
Recently, through various reliable updates circulating on WhatsApp groups across our state, it has come to light that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to introduce new polymer plastic banknotes in the denominations of ₹10, ₹20, and ₹50 to replace the existing paper currency.
As we are all well aware, the banknotes issued after the demonetization period, which are currently in circulation, lack distinct, easily identifiable tactile features that allow visually impaired individuals to recognize them independently. Consequently, we remain highly dependent on the assistance of others for everyday cash transactions. While the RBI previously introduced a mobile application to aid in currency identification, such digital applications have not proven to be a foolproof or fully reliable solution for our community.
Given that the RBI is on the verge of finalizing and issuing these new polymer notes, we have a critical window of opportunity. This is the right moment to voice our challenges, opinions, and needs directly to the RBI. While various associations have submitted representations and even pursued legal avenues in courts in the past, a renewed and unified effort is urgently required now.
Therefore, I sincerely request all prominent leaders, presidents, general secretaries, and organizational representatives within this forum to come together. I appeal to both national and state-level associations to submit a strong, comprehensive joint or individual representation to the RBI, urging them to ensure that the upcoming polymer notes are designed with fully accessible, distinct, and tangible features for the visually impaired.
Thanking you one and all
Yours sincerely,

KARNATI SRINIVAS
School Assistant Social studies
ZPHS boys near old bus stand
Suryapet Pin Code 508213
and
Secretary
development and Welfare Association of the blind (DWAB), Telangana