Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI) is a mobile application launched by the Reserve Bank for aiding visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of Indian Banknotes. The free of cost application, once installed, does not require internet and is capable of identifying the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) series banknote by checking front or reverse side/part of the note including half folded notes at various holding angles and in a broad range of light conditions (normal light/day light/low light etc).

Note: This mobile application does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeit.

The processes and systems followed for production of Indian banknotes are at par with the best practices adopted globally. In line with the same, banknote quality is maintained well within the various tolerance parameters for dimension, placement of design, print features etc. A press release issued by RBI in this regard can be accessed at the following link: https://website.rbi.org.in/web/rbi/-/press-releases/rbi-clarifies-on-quality-control-measures-in-currency-note-printing-41364.

(i) A ‘soiled note’ means a note which has become dirty due to normal wear and tear and includes a two-piece note pasted together wherein both the pieces presented belong to the same note and form the entire note with no essential feature missing.

(ii) “Mutilated banknote” is a banknote, of which a portion is missing, or which is composed of more than two pieces.

(iii) “Imperfect banknote” means any banknote, which is wholly or partially, obliterated, shrunk, washed, altered or indecipherable but does not include a mutilated banknote.

Reserve Bank of India has been continuously making efforts to make good quality banknotes available to the members of public. To help RBI and the banking system towards this objective, the members of public are requested to ensure the following:

• Not to staple the banknotes;

• Not to write/put rubber stamp or any other mark on the banknotes;

• Not to use banknotes for making garlands/toys, decorating pandals and places of worship or for showering on personalities in social events, etc.

The Reserve Bank of India has issued a press release on March 12, 2008, appealing members of public not to use banknotes for making garlands, decorating pandals and places of worship or for showering on personalities in social events, etc. Press Release issued in this regard is available at the following link:
https://website.rbi.org.in/web/rbi/-/press-releases/respect-your-banknotes-rbi-appeals-to-public-18026.

Yes. Such banknotes can be exchanged for value.

All banks are authorized to accept and exchange soiled banknotes for full value. They shall extend the facility of exchange of soiled/mutilated notes to non-customers also.

All branches of commercial banks are authorised to adjudicate mutilated banknotes (which are legal tender) and pay value for these, in terms of the Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009 [as amended by Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Amendment Rules, 2018].

Small Finance Banks (up to two years from the commencement of their banking business) and Payment Banks may exchange mutilated and imperfect/defective notes at their option.

The value of an imperfect note may be paid for full value/half value under rules as specified in Part III of Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009 [As amended by Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Amendment Rules, 2018] available in our website under www.rbi.org.in → Publications → Occasional.

The details are available on our website at the following link: www.rbi.org.in >> Currency Management >>Notifications.

A summary of the old (2009) and amended NRR (2018) is as under:

Note Refund Rules - Amended

Non-payable banknotes are retained by the receiving banks and sent to the Reserve Bank where they are destroyed.