Old Rupee Notes: Don’t Pass the Buck, Pass it to the Bank

We've all faced it—a crumpled, limp, ink-blotched rupee note that looks like it's been through a monsoon and a lunchbox. The first instinct? Slip it to someone else and hope they don't notice. Wait. There's a cleaner way—morally and literally.

Before passing on what feels like an economic fossil, consider taking that note to your local bank. As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, all commercial banks are obligated to accept soiled or mutilated currency—without hesitation, without charge, and with full face value.

Tried and Tested

I’ve redeemed notes at Axis Bank, Velachery, with zero fuss—they were polite and helpful. Once, at Axis Bank, Madipakkam, a teller was a bit theatrically puzzled by my request. Some silent gesturing, a gentle reminder of RBI rules, and voilà—the note was accepted.

Let’s stop circulating weary notes like unwanted invitations. If the rupee has done its duty, let it rest in RBI’s vaults—not someone else’s pocket.