Main Note - [Currency Management](Currency%20Management.md) 1. [Oct 8, 2002](https://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=7527) - RBI had clarified it has no plans to introduce polymer notes. 2. Feb 24, 2011 - RBI Governor D. Subbarao in his [speech](https://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_SpeechesView.aspx?Id=552) mentioned about the plastic notes, saying that *RBI is planning to try this out on a pilot basis starting with a plastic note in the 10 denomination, which we will distribute out of five of our regional offices in the country including our Bhubaneswar office. During the pilot phase, we need to study not only the relative costs but also the carbon footprint associated with the recycling and disposal of plastic notes vis-à-vis paper notes. If the pilot proves successful, we will mainstream the use of plastic currency.* 3. [Aug 7, 2026](https://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_SpeechesView.aspx?Id=1566) - RBI [said](RBI_MPS_20260805_Press%20Conference.pdf) that plastic notes might come into the market by the beginning of the next financial year. Currently, it has issued a tender for the substrate. That substrate, the polymer paper on which this note will be printed, will arrive, after which testing will take place, security clearance will be conducted. There are several stages and many security features. At the right time, RBI will inform you and the general public about its security features. 4. These notes have [more security features](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_banknote), can weather dirt and moisture better than paper, and hence last longer. 5. Currently, a major portion of expenses incurred towards [currency management](Currency%20Management.md) goes toward replacing the [soiled notes](https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_DisposalSoiledBanknotesDetails.aspx). 6. More than 60 countries use plastic (polymer) currency notes either fully or partially. 7. **Australia** was the first country to introduce them in 1988. ## Challenges 1. Few challenges are high initial costs, costs tied to prices of crude oil, ATM and Sorting Recalibration, handling and stacking issues, recycling complexity, distinct tactile and braille features, etc. ## Related Notes 1. [Currency Management](Currency%20Management.md)