Overview
- BRBNMPL, the RBI's banknote printing arm, issued a global expression of interest on Friday for 68,000 reams of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) polymer substrate to support trial printing of two denominations.
- The EOI aims to identify international technology partners for on‑shore manufacturing and technology transfer so India can make the specialised polymer film domestically rather than rely on imports.
- Tender rules require bidders to firewall any China or Pakistan operations and forbid sourcing raw materials for India‑specific notes from those countries as a national security safeguard.
- The move is an early, procedural step and not a decision to issue polymer notes to the public because field trials, larger procurements, technology transfer and formal RBI and government approvals are still needed.
- Polymers are used by more than 60 countries because they last longer and support strong security features, which could cut long‑term printing costs and reduce counterfeiting given the RBI spent Rs 4,875 crore on note printing and detected 2.3 lakh fake notes in 2025–26.