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About the Indian Rupee (INR)

What Is the Indian Rupee (INR)?

The Indian Rupee, designated by the ISO code INR, is the official currency of the Republic of India. The term 'rupee' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'rupyakam,' meaning a silver coin. The Indian Rupee got its symbol (₹) in 2010, which is a blend of the Devanagari 'Ra' and the Roman capital 'R' without its vertical bar. The Indian Rupee is the sole legal tender in India, and it is used for all transactions within the country.

The Indian Rupee is issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is the central bank of India. The RBI is responsible for the regulation and management of the Indian currency and monetary policy. It oversees the issuance and supply of the rupee, ensuring stability and integrity in the country's financial system. The RBI also implements measures to combat counterfeiting and manages the currency's design and denominations.

What Is the History of INR?

The Coinage Act of 1835 standardized coinage in India, introducing coins bearing the effigy of William IV and later Queen Victoria. The rupiya, originally a silver coin, faced devaluation against gold during the 19th century due to the discovery of large silver reserves in Europe and the U.S. During World War II, the regular rupee was replaced with Quaternary Silver Alloy, and post-independence in 1947, India continued using the existing currency until the adoption of its constitution in 1950. In 1957, India introduced a decimal currency system, dividing the rupee into 100 paise.

Notes and Coins of INR

The current series of Indian currency includes notes of various denominations such as 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 2000 INR. Each denomination has its unique color scheme and design elements, making them easily distinguishable. The coins, ranging from smaller denominations like 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupees, are minted in various metals and also feature emblematic designs representing India's cultural and historical ethos..

Economic Impact and Exchange Rate Management

The demonetization in 2016 aimed to disrupt the underground economy and curb the financing of illegal activities. This move led to the issuance of new 500 and 2000 INR notes in the Mahatma Gandhi New Series. The RBI's strategy does not peg the INR to a specific foreign currency, but instead aims to reduce exchange rate volatility through market interventions. This policy reflects a preference for a stable yet flexible exchange rate system, adapting to global economic dynamics.

What Is Digital Rupee?

The Digital Rupee, also known as e₹ or eINR, is a digital version of the Indian Rupee, issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Launched in December 2022, it utilizes blockchain distributed-ledger technology for secure transactions. The Digital Rupee is uniquely identifiable and regulated by the RBI, ensuring its reliability as legal tender. It is designed to be accessible both online and offline, catering to a wide range of financial transactions. The RBI has introduced two versions: the Digital Rupee for Wholesale (e₹-W) for interbank settlements and the Digital Rupee for Retail (e₹-R) for consumer and business transactions. This initiative aims to reduce the costs associated with physical currency, enhance transaction efficiency, and support India's growing digital economy. Unlike cryptocurrencies, the Digital Rupee is a sovereign currency, backed by the RBI, and holds the same value as its physical counterpart.