BRBNMPL, the Reserve Bank of India's currency-printing subsidiary, has issued a Global Expression of Interest (EOI) for 68,000 reams of BOPP-based polymer substrate sheets with embedded security features for Indian banknotes. The requirement splits equally between two denominations at 34,000 reams each, with each ream containing 500 sheets.

Security features include a clear window with portrait, metallic numeral, magnetic pseudo thread, shadow image, and iridescent pattern. Sources indicate the polymer notes will likely launch in Rs 10 and 20 denominations initially. The EOI imposes strict national-security conditions: bidders must firewall operations in China or Pakistan from India-linked business, avoid sourcing raw materials from those countries, and not employ personnel with work history there. Entities from land-border-sharing nations must register with DPIIT's Registration Committee.

BRBNMPL states this is an immediate requirement, with larger multi-denomination procurement planned after successful field trials. Qualified bidders need at least three years' experience supplying polymer substrate to central banks, must offer minimum 20,400 reams (30% of indicative quantity), and submit 10 sample sheets certified free of animal tallow or DNA content, plus financial and security clearance proofs.