Mumbai, May 29 (PTI) The expenditure incurred on security printing during 2024-25 increased by nearly 25 per cent to Rs 6,372.8 crore as against Rs 5,101.4 crore in the previous year mainly due to increase in indent for printing of banknotes, according to the RBI's annual report released on Thursday.

The value and volume of banknotes in circulation increased by 6 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively, during 2024-25.

"During 2024-25, the share of Rs 500 banknotes at 86 per cent, declined marginally in value terms," said the RBI's Annual Report for 2024-25.

In volume terms, Rs 500 denomination at 40.9 per cent, constituted the highest share of the total banknotes in circulation, followed by Rs 10 denomination banknotes at 16.4 per cent.

The lower denomination banknotes (Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50) together constituted 31.7 per cent of total banknotes in circulation by volume.

The withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes from circulation, initiated in May 2023, continued during the year and 98.2 per cent of Rs 3.56 lakh crore in circulation at the time of announcement have returned to the banking system up to March 31, 2025.

According to the report, the value and volume of coins in circulation increased by 9.6 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively, during 2024-25.

Also, the value of e-rupee in circulation increased by 334 per cent during 2024-25.

Currency in circulation includes banknotes, central bank digital currency (CBDC) and coins. Presently, banknotes in circulation comprise denominations of Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2000.

The Reserve Bank is no longer printing banknotes of denominations of Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 2000.

Coins in circulation comprise denominations of 50 paise and Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 20.

On counterfeit notes, the report said that during 2024-25, out of the total Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) detected in the banking sector, 4.7 per cent were detected at the Reserve Bank.

The counterfeit notes detected in the denominations of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100 and Rs 2000 declined during 2024-25, while those in Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations increased by 13.9 and 37.3 per cent, respectively, as compared with the previous year.

The RBI said it is actively taking forward the process of introduction of new/upgraded security features for banknotes.

The Reserve Bank also said it has actively pursued indigenisation of banknote production over the years to reduce dependencies on foreign sources.

"With persistent efforts, all the primary raw materials used for the production of banknotes, i.e., banknote paper, all types of inks (offset, numbering, intaglio and colour-shifting intaglio ink) and all other security features are now being procured from domestic sources," it said.

Going forward, sustaining self-sufficiency in banknote production, analytical and developmental currency research towards further strengthening the life and integrity of banknotes and understanding the trends in public preference for cash vis-à-vis other modes of payment shall continue to remain key focus areas, RBI said. PTI NKD NKD ANU ANU

Currency printing expenditure rise prompts focus on self-sufficiency and upgraded banknote security features and monitoring circulation trends. Security printing expenditure rose notably in 2024-25 due to increased banknote printing; banknote value and volume grew modestly while denomination composition remained concentrated in certain notes. The withdrawal of the highest denomination continued with the majority returned to banks. Coin circulation and e rupee values increased. Counterfeit detection patterns shifted unevenly across denominations. The Reserve Bank is introducing upgraded security features and has indigenised primary inputs for banknote production, prioritising self sufficiency, currency research, and monitoring cash preferences going forward.