EconomyMonday, 22 June 2026·The Hindu - Economy
BIS note-sorting standard IS 18663:2024 to curb fake currency in India
BIS and RBI introduced IS 18663:2024 for note sorting machines, with mandatory certification for Indian banks from May 1, 2025.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India, made certification mandatory for Note Sorting Machines used by Indian banks from May 1, 2025, under IS 18663:2024.
Key specifics
- IS 18663:2024 is the Indian Standard for Note Sorting Machines.
- The standard sets minimum functional performance and safety benchmarks for machines that process, authenticate and sort cash.
- BIS says its Central Laboratory at Sahibabad is the only authorised lab for performance testing of Note Sorting Machines.
- According to the RBI annual report, ₹500 notes account for 85.5% of currency in circulation and also the maximum fake currency share.
- More than 2.29 lakh fake currency notes were detected in the just-concluded financial year, with about 95% from non-RBI banks or NBFCs.
Exam lens
TNPSC economy and banking regulation question type: standard, lab, date, and RBI linkage; remember IS 18663:2024, Sahibabad lab, May 1, 2025, ₹500 note share of 85.5%, and 2.29 lakh fake notes.