Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the Master Direction on Counterfeit Notes, 2025, under Section 35A and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. This directive consolidates and updates existing guidelines, instructions, and directives related to counterfeit note detection, reporting, and monitoring. The aim is to provide banks with a single reference document containing all relevant regulations on the subject. The directive has been circulated to all banks, and the enclosed document provides detailed instructions on compliance requirements.
Reserve Bank of India
India’s Central Bank
RBI/2025-26/132
DCM (FNVD)/G4/16.01.05/2025-26 Dated: April 01, 2025
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
All Banks
Madam / Dear Sir,
Master Direction on Counterfeit Notes, 2025 – Detection, Reporting and Monitoring
In exercise of powers conferred under Section 35A and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), from time-to-time issues guidelines/ instructions / directives to the banks on detection, reporting and monitoring of Counterfeit Notes.
2. A Master Direction incorporating and updating the extant guidelines / instructions / directives on the subject has been prepared to enable banks to have all current instructions on Counterfeit Notes at one place for reference and the same is enclosed.
Yours faithfully,
(Suman Nath)
Chief General Manager
Encl: As above
