Delhi HC Directs RBI, Govt to Address Accessibility Issues for Visually Impaired Before Introducing New Currency

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Government of India to address the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups, including persons with visual impairment and other disabilities, before introducing new currency notes.

A division bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued the direction while hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by Rohit Dandriyal, seeking measures to make currency notes and coins, especially the Rs 50 denomination, more accessible and easily identifiable for persons with disabilities (PwDs).

The petitions highlighted that existing notes and coins were difficult for the visually impaired to distinguish, thereby hampering their independent financial transactions. Considering these concerns, the Court in July 2022 constituted a High-Powered Committee to examine the grievances.

The Committee, in its report submitted in July 2023, recommended that all regulated entities ensure their platforms, documents, cards, cheques, currency, and financial services comply with accessibility requirements under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The RBI subsequently filed status reports indicating measures taken in response.

After reviewing the Committee’s findings and the RBI’s action-taken reports, the Court noted that issues relating to digital accessibility had been addressed to a large extent. It observed that several banks had already implemented measures and directed the RBI to ensure compliance across all entities.

“In this regard, we direct the RBI to ensure that the suggestions of the Committee as well as its own suggestions and directions issued to various banks be scrupulously implemented and monitored or supervised by it. The RBI must obtain six-monthly reports from various banks as to the progress made by each of such banks till it is finally implemented or the goal reached,” the Court ordered.

Regarding the specific issue of making Rs 50 notes more accessible, the RBI informed the Court that the existing currency already contains benchmarks to aid identification by visually impaired persons. However, the Court acknowledged that redesigning currency would involve significant costs. The Bench held that while mandating immediate redesign was not feasible, the RBI and the Centre must consider the Committee’s suggestions whenever fresh notes are printed.

According to the RBI, such printing exercises typically occur once every ten years.

Observing that the issue of introducing digital currency or issuing specially designed notes for the benefit of persons with disabilities or the visually impaired falls squarely within the realm of policy-making, the Court said:

“Such matters involve technical and financial considerations, which is the domain of the Government of India and the RBI. Thus, any direction in the nature of a mandamus, having regard to the above observations in respect of printing of fresh currency notes in the manner sought by the petitioners, may not be possible to issue.”

Nevertheless, it emphasised that both the Centre and the RBI are bound to keep in mind the objectives of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act while framing policies and introducing new currency in the future.

Court also referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Pragya Prasun & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., which directed that digital KYC processes be made accessible for persons with disabilities, particularly those with facial disfigurements due to acid attacks and visual impairments. It noted that both the Centre and the RBI appear cognizant of such directions and are expected to comply with them.

Disposing of the petitions, the Court expressed its “fond hope and positive anticipation” that the RBI and the Government would faithfully implement the High-Powered Committee’s recommendations.

Case Title: Rohit Dandriyal & Ors. v. Reserve Bank of India & Anr. and Other Connected Matters

Judgment Date: : 24 September 2025

Bench:  Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela