No Plan To Introduce ₹50 Coin As Public Prefers Banknotes: Centre Informs Delhi High Court

The Finance Ministry has informed the Delhi High Court that it currently has no plans to introduce ₹50 coin as their feasibility study reveals that people prefer using banknotes.

"The Reserve Bank of lndia conducted a survey in 2022 to analyze the usage patterns of existing coins and banknotes in circulation. The findings revealed a preference for banknotes over coins for the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations," the affidavit filed by Under Secretary in Coin & Currency Division states.

The development comes in a PIL filed by Rohit Dandriyal, seeking directions for making currency notes and coins, especially for ₹50 and below, easily identifiable by persons with visual impairment.

Petitioner claimed to have conducted a study on the distress and inequalities faced by visually impaired citizens due to the design of currency notes, which makes it difficult for them to distinguish between denominations and found that ₹50 note lacks the features.

Centre claims that the ₹50 note is visually indistinguishable from other currency notes and that no coin of ₹50 denomination is presently available as an alternative.

Centre concedes that identification marks like "angular bleed lines" and raised (intaglio) printing are not present in the ₹10, ₹20, and ₹50 denominations of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series since, such printing tends to erode more rapidly due to the high frequency of handling of the said notes.

"Given that lower denomination notes circulate more extensively, the deterioration of tactile features over time is more pronounced. Moreover, the reintroduction of intaglio printing in these denominations would have significant implications on both the cost and efficiency of currency production."

It adds that each denomination under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series has distinct dimensions, thereby enabling visually challenged individuals to differentiate between denominations through tactile means.

It is also conceded that there exists a possibility of confusion or difficulty in denomination by visually impaired persons, primarily due to the concurrent circulation of two series-namely, the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series and the Mahatma Gandhi Series.

"It is submitted that once the earlier series is withdrawn from circulation in the ordinary course due to soiling and wear, the exclusive circulation of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series is expected to facilitate easier and more reliable denomination recognition for visually challenged users."