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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
No proposal to introduce ₹50 coin, Finance Ministry tells Delhi High Court
The Ministry of Finance has informed the Delhi High Court that there is currently no proposal under consideration to introduce a ₹50 coin. The submission was made in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking measures to make Indian currency more accessible for visually impaired citizens. In an affidavit, the Ministry said that new coin series of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, and ₹20 denominations were introduced in 2019 and had been specifically designed to be identifiable by visually impaired persons. However, it clarified that the introduction of a ₹50 coin is not on the table for now. The Ministry also submitted that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had conducted a survey in 2022 to assess the usage pattern of coins and currency notes. 'The findings revealed a preference for banknotes over coins for the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations. Survey respondents identified the weight and size of coins - particularly the similarity in size across denominations - as significant impediments to the usage of coins,' the affidavit stated. Explaining the rationale behind the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series of banknotes introduced in 2016, the Ministry said the notes were designed with sharp colour contrast schemes to assist persons with partial visual impairment in identifying denominations. Notes of ₹100 and higher denominations include tactile features such as angular bleed lines. For example, the ₹100 note includes four angular lines in two blocks; the ₹200 note has four angular lines with two circles in between; the ₹500 note contains five angular lines in three blocks; and the now-withdrawn ₹2,000 note carried seven angular lines. However, the Ministry acknowledged that such tactile features are not present on ₹10, ₹20, and ₹50 banknotes in the new series. 'The reintroduction of intaglio [raised] printing in lower denomination notes was found to be unfeasible, as the tactile effect of such printing tends to erode more rapidly due to the high frequency of handling,' it said. The PIL, filed by advocate Rohit Dandriyal and others, had urged the government to consider issuing ₹50 coins to improve accessibility and enable ease of doing business for visually impaired persons. The petitioners cited a study they conducted that documented the difficulties faced by visually challenged individuals in distinguishing between currency denominations. The High Court had earlier directed the Ministry and the RBI to examine the design of the new currency notes and coins in light of the challenges reported by visually impaired users.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
No plans to introduce Rs 50 coin, public prefers notes due to light weight: Centre tells Delhi HC
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): The Union Finance Ministry has informed the Delhi High Court that it currently has no plans to introduce a Rs 50 coin, attributing the decision to widespread public preference for currency notes over heavier coins such as Rs 10 and Rs 20. In its affidavit filed on Tuesday, the Ministry cited findings from a 2022 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) survey, which revealed that users often avoid coins due to their weight, size, and lack of distinctiveness, factors that make banknotes more practical for daily use. The Ministry explained that coin issuance depends on public acceptance, usage patterns, and economic considerations, and as of now, a Rs 50 coin is not under consideration. This submission responded to a petition by advocate Rohit Dandriyal, who urged the government and the RBI to introduce a Rs 50 coin to enhance accessibility for visually impaired citizens. Dandriyal highlighted that Rs 50 notes currently lack tactile features, unlike other denominations, making them difficult to identify and use. The matter was heard by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal. The court granted the petitioner time to review the affidavit and respond, setting the next hearing for September 17. The government acknowledged that most denominations incorporate accessibility elements like intaglio printing and varied sizes. However, it admitted that Rs 50 notes lack such tactile markers. Additionally, simultaneous circulation of both old and new Mahatma Gandhi Series notes may contribute to confusion for those with partial vision. To address accessibility, the RBI launched the MANI app (Mobile Aided Note Identifier) in 2020 to help visually impaired users recognise note denominations through audio assistance. In 2019, a redesigned coin series was introduced, including Rs 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10, and Rs 20, but did not include a Rs 50 coin. Previously, the Delhi High Court had directed the Centre and the RBI to examine the design and accessibility of currency in light of the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals. (ANI)
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No plans to introduce Rs 50 coin, public prefers notes due to light weight: Centre tells Delhi HC
The Union Finance Ministry has informed the Delhi High Court that it currently has no plans to introduce a Rs 50 coin , attributing the decision to widespread public preference for currency notes over heavier coins such as Rs 10 and Rs 20. In its affidavit filed on Tuesday, the Ministry cited findings from a 2022 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) survey, which revealed that users often avoid coins due to their weight, size, and lack of distinctiveness, factors that make banknotes more practical for daily use. The Ministry explained that coin issuance depends on public acceptance, usage patterns, and economic considerations, and as of now, a Rs 50 coin is not under consideration. This submission responded to a petition by advocate Rohit Dandriyal, who urged the government and the RBI to introduce a Rs 50 coin to enhance accessibility for visually impaired citizens. Dandriyal highlighted that Rs 50 notes currently lack tactile features, unlike other denominations, making them difficult to identify and use. The matter was heard by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal. The court granted the petitioner time to review the affidavit and respond, setting the next hearing for September 17. Live Events The government acknowledged that most denominations incorporate accessibility elements like intaglio printing and varied sizes. However, it admitted that Rs 50 notes lack such tactile markers. Additionally, simultaneous circulation of both old and new Mahatma Gandhi Series notes may contribute to confusion for those with partial vision. To address accessibility, the RBI launched the Mapp (Mobile Aided Note Identifier) in 2020 to help visually impaired users recognise note denominations through audio assistance. In 2019, a redesigned coin series was introduced, including Rs 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10, and Rs 20, but did not include a Rs 50 coin. Previously, the Delhi High Court had directed the Centre and the RBI to examine the design and accessibility of currency in light of the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
No proposal to introduce ₹50 coin in market: Centre tells Delhi HC
The Union finance ministry has told the Delhi high court that it does not propose to introduce ₹50 coin in the market, as the public has shown preference for using banknotes over the existing coins of ₹10 and 20 for everyday transactions, due to their weight and size. The affidavit has been filed in a petition seeking directions to the Centre to issue ₹ 50 coins. (RBI official website) In its affidavit filed on Tuesday, the Centre stated that it had conducted a survey in 2022 to analyse the usage of patterns of existing coins and banknotes in circulation, and the findings revealed a preference for banknotes over the coins. 'The decision to introduce a circulation coin of a particular denomination depends on multiple factors, including the public's readiness to accept the coin and the frequency of its use in everyday transactions. As indicated by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) survey, the public currently shows a preference for banknotes over coins in the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations. Therefore, any decision to introduce a ₹50 coin would depend on several factors including requirement of the economy, degree of public acceptance etc., in addition to the concerns of the visually impaired persons. At present, no proposal regarding introduction of a ₹50 coin is under consideration by the department,' the affidavit stated. 'That with regards to the feasibility of introducing ₹50 coin, it is submitted that the Reserve Bank of India conducted a survey in 2022 to analyse the usage patterns of existing coins and banknotes in circulation. The findings revealed a preference for bank notes over coins for the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations. Survey respondents identified the weight and size of coins– particularly the similarity in size across denominations- as significant impediments to the usage of coins', it added. Also Read: Ninth arrest in New India Cooperative Bank embezzlement case The affidavit has been filed in a petition preferred by advocate Rohit Dandriyal seeking directions to the Centre to issue ₹50 coins, to provide equal opportunity and ease of doing business to visually impaired citizens. It went on to add that even though the currency notes of other denominations including ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500 and ₹2,000 were designed to be accessible for the visually impaired, the ₹50 note lacked such features. It further argued that ₹50 note did not contain any intaglio printing or tactile markings, thereby rendering it inaccessible to visually impaired individuals and leaving no effective substitution in circulation. The affidavit will be considered by a bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Anish Dayal later in the hearing on Wednesday. In its six-page reply, the Centre further stated that the all the banknotes except ₹10, 20 and 50 issued under the Mahatma Gandhi Series in 2016, incorporate a sharp colour contrast scheme for facilitating denomination identification by individuals who are partially visually impaired but a possibility of confusion or difficulty in denomination identification exists due to the concurrent circulation of two series– namely the 2016 series and the earlier MG series. 'The banknotes issued under this series incorporate a sharp colour contrast scheme aimed at facilitating denomination identification by individuals who are partially visually impaired. It is pertinent to note that each denomination under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series has distinct dimensions, thereby enabling visually challenged individuals to differentiate between denominations through tactile means. There exists a possibility of confusion or difficulty in denomination identification by the visually impaired primarily due to concurrent circulation of two series-namely, the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series and the earlier Mahatma Gandhi Series,' the affidavit stated. It added that the RBI, to enhance the quality of life of its citizens had however launched a mobile application called MANI (Mobile Aided Note Identifier) in 2020 to aid visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of banknotes. To ensure the accessibility and ease of identification of all coins, the affidavit stated, the Centre on March 6, 2019 had also introduced a new series of coins in the denominations of ₹1, 2, 10 and 20.
