New Delhi: The Union Finance Ministry has informed the Delhi High Court that it currently has no plans to introduce a ₹50 coin, citing public preference for lighter, more convenient currency notes over heavier coinage.

In an affidavit filed on Tuesday, the Ministry referred to a 2022 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) survey, which found that users often avoid coins due to their weight, size, and lack of clear distinctiveness. These factors, it noted, make coins such as the ₹10 and ₹20 less practical for everyday use compared to paper currency.

The Ministry stated that decisions regarding coin issuance are shaped by public acceptance, usage trends, and economic considerations. Based on current assessments, it concluded that a ₹50 coin is not under consideration.

Submission for ₹50 coin

The Ministry’s submission came in response to a petition filed by advocate Rohit Dandriyal, who called on the government and the RBI to issue a ₹50 coin to improve accessibility for visually impaired citizens. Dandriyal argued that unlike other denominations, ₹50 notes lack tactile features, making them harder for visually impaired users to identify and distinguish.

The matter was heard by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, who granted the petitioner time to study the government’s response and file a reply. The next hearing has been scheduled for 17 September.

While the government acknowledged that most currency denominations include accessibility features such as intaglio printing and varying sizes, it conceded that ₹50 notes currently fall short in this regard. It also noted that the concurrent circulation of both old and new Mahatma Gandhi Series notes may add to the confusion for individuals with partial vision.

To aid accessibility, the RBI launched the Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI) app in 2020, which helps visually impaired users identify banknotes via audio cues. In 2019, the central bank also introduced a redesigned coin series featuring ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, and ₹20 coins -- notably excluding the ₹50 denomination.

The Delhi High Court had previously directed the Centre and the RBI to consider the accessibility of currency for the visually impaired, including potential changes to design and denomination formats.