The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to trial polymer (plastic) currency notes. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL), floated a global tender for polymer sheets — specifically Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)-based opacified polymer substrate with security features. The tender seeks 68,000 reams (one ream = 500 sheets), with 34,000 reams per denomination, meaning the trial will cover two denominations. Notes will be printed at BRBNMPL's presses and those of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL), a PSU. Bids close on August 18, 2026.
Key Facts & Details
7 points- 1The RBI is set to trial polymer (plastic) currency notes.
- 2Its subsidiary BRBNMPL floated a global tender for BOPP-based opacified polymer substrate.
- 3The tender seeks 68,000 reams (500 sheets each), 34,000 reams per denomination — covering two denominations.
- 4Notes will be printed at BRBNMPL and SPMCIL presses.
- 5The last date for bids is August 18, 2026.
Deep Dive
- +BRBNMPL is a wholly-owned RBI subsidiary that designs, manufactures and supplies banknotes.
- +SPMCIL is a public sector undertaking that prints banknotes, stamps and secure documents like passports.
Exam Focus
Which RBI subsidiary floated the global tender for polymer substrate to trial plastic currency notes?
Related Topics
Exam Relevance & Angle
Currency and RBI operations are core banking awareness topics. The polymer-note trial, the BRBNMPL/SPMCIL roles and the two-denomination scope are distinctive, testable hooks.
Target Exams
Background & Context
Polymer banknotes are made from a plastic (polypropylene) substrate rather than cotton-paper, offering greater durability and enhanced security features; several countries such as Australia and the UK use them. In India, currency printing is handled by RBI's BRBNMPL and the government's SPMCIL. A trial helps assess durability, cost and public acceptance before any wider rollout of plastic notes.
Test Yourself
1 / 2Which RBI subsidiary floated the global tender for polymer note substrate?
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