Indian Rupee · ₹ · Official currency of India
The Indian rupee (₹) traces its name to the 'rupiya' introduced during the 16th-century Mughal Empire. Note issuance became systematized after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established in 1935. Following the government's 2016 demonetization reform (which withdrew high-value notes), a new series with enhanced security features was fully rolled out.
Six denominations circulate: ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500 (the ₹2,000 note was gradually withdrawn from circulation starting in 2023). All denominations feature a common portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the front.
Even after the 2016 demonetization, cash still dominates day-to-day spending, and in smaller towns and local markets, cash and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) apps are more widely used than cards. Small bills (₹10, ₹20, ₹50) are worth keeping plenty of on hand, since many shops run short on change. Exchanging at a licensed money changer or bank in the city usually gets a better rate than at the airport.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Reserve Bank of India's official page.
See Indian Rupee banknotes at today's exchange rate →