The number of fake currency note of Rs 500 denomination detected by the banking system more than doubled to 79,669 pieces in fiscal 2021-22 over previous year, according to RBI annual report.

The number of counterfeit notes of Rs 2,000 denomination detected in system was 13,604 pieces during 2021-22, up 54.6 per cent from preceding financial year.

After declining in 2020-21, total number of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) of all denominations detected in banking sector increased to 2,30,971 pieces from 2,08,625 pieces in previous fiscal. During 2019-29, the FICNs detected stood at 2,96,695 pieces. "Compared to previous year, there was an increase of 16.4 per cent, 16.5 per cent, 11.7 per cent, 101.9 per cent and 54.6 per cent in counterfeit notes detected in denominations of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 200, Rs 500 (new design) and Rs 2,000, respectively," said RBI's annual report for 2021-22.

The counterfeit notes detected in denominations of Rs 50 and Rs 100 declined by 28.7% and 16.7%, respectively. During 2021-22, out of total FICNs detected in banking sector, 6.9% were detected at Reserve Bank and 93.1 per cent at other banks, the report said. One of major objectives of 2016 demonetisation of then prevailing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was to curb circulation of fake currency notes.

The report also said the total expenditure incurred on security printing during April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 was Rs 4,984.8 crore as against Rs 4,012.1 crore in the previous year (July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021).

Also, the disposal of soiled banknotes increased by 88.4 per cent to 1,878.01 crore pieces during 2021-22 from 997.02 crore pieces in the previous year.