RBI to issue Rs 20 notes with new Governor Sanjay Malhotra's signature

ANI May 18, 2025 292 views

The RBI will soon circulate new Rs 20 notes bearing Governor Sanjay Malhotra's signature. The design remains unchanged, ensuring continuity for users. All older Rs 20 notes will still be accepted as legal tender. This update follows Malhotra's appointment as RBI Governor in December 2024.

"Every banknote issued by RBI, unless withdrawn, remains legal tender across India." – RBI Statement
Mumbai, May 17: The Reserve Bank of India announced that it will soon issue Rs 20 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series bearing the signature of the new RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, according to an official statement.

Key Points

1

New Rs 20 notes retain current design

2

Sanjay Malhotra's signature replaces predecessor

3

Existing notes remain valid

4

RBI operates four currency printing presses

The new notes will retain the existing design and features of the current Rs 20 notes in circulation, except for the new governor's signature. The RBI also clarified that all previously issued Rs 20 banknotes will continue to be legal tender, as per the statement.

Sanjay Malhotra was appointed as the RBI Governor, effective from December 11, 2024, and will continue for three years.

Legal Tender is a coin or a banknote that is legally tenderable for discharge of debt or obligation.

According to the central bank, every banknote issued by Reserve Bank of India, unless withdrawn from circulation, are legal tender at any place in India in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government, subject to provisions of sub-section (2) Section 26 of RBI Act, 1934. Rs 1 notes issued by Government of India are also Legal Tender.

Bank notes are printed at four currency presses, two of which are owned by the Government of India through its Corporation, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) and two are owned by the Reserve Bank, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd. (BRBNMPL). The currency presses of SPMCIL are at Nasik (Western India) and Dewas (Central India). The two presses of BRBNMPL are at Mysuru (Southern India) and Salboni (Eastern India).

Coins are minted in four mints owned by SPMCIL. The mints are located at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and NOIDA. The coins are issued for circulation only through the Reserve Bank in terms of Section 38 of the RBI Act.

To facilitate the distribution of banknotes and rupee coins, the Reserve Bank has authorised select scheduled banks to establish currency chests. These are storehouses where banknotes and rupee coins are stocked on behalf of the Reserve Bank for distribution to bank branches in their area of operation. As on February 28, 2025, there were 2691 currency chests.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Good to see the RBI keeping up with administrative changes. But I wonder - why don't they introduce some new security features along with the signature change? Our ₹20 notes get circulated so much in daily transactions. 🧐
P
Priya M.
The ₹20 note is my favorite for small purchases! Glad to know the old ones will still work. Hope the new ones reach small towns quickly - sometimes currency updates take forever to reach rural areas.
A
Amit S.
Interesting to learn about the currency printing process across India. Didn't know we had presses in all four directions - Nasik, Dewas, Mysuru and Salboni. Makes sense for nationwide distribution!
S
Sunita R.
While the signature change is routine, I wish RBI would focus more on making our currency more durable. The ₹20 notes tear so easily compared to other denominations. Quality matters for frequently used notes!
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Vikram J.
2691 currency chests across India sounds impressive! But I hope RBI ensures equal distribution, especially in border areas where access to banking is sometimes limited. Jai Hind!
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Neha P.
The ₹20 note is perfect for chai-pani and auto fares. Hope the new governor considers making digital payments easier too while maintaining cash options for everyone. Both are important in our economy.

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