Lining up at the ATM? Here's how your cash actually gets there

From the printing press to the ATM, its a journey that starts with calculations at the Reserve Bank of India

Everyone likes money, especially with the Modi government's Demonetisation policy in full swing. But how does the Rs 100 note, which has reasserted its real value, and the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes reach your nearest automated teller machine (ATM)?

From the printing press to the ATM, its a journey that starts with calculations at the Reserve Bank of India and culminates in the execution of a very complicated logistics plan.

From the printing press to the ATM:

1) Finding our the country's cash needs: The RBI first calculates India's annual cash requirement. According to an Indian Express report, the calculation takes into account the quantity of notes in circulation, those which might have been destroyed, and how many would be needed for replacement. Other factors, the report added, such as projected GDP growth and inflation are also accounted for. The process starts early in the calendar year, before the new fiscal year begins, and RBIinforms the Ministry of Finance about the amount of currency that needs to be printed.

2) Telling the printing presses: India has four printing presses: One in Nashik (Maharashtra), one in Dewas (Madhya Pradesh), another in Mysuru (Karnataka( and the last in Salboni (West Bengal). These presses print out the notes after an order is placed with them and instructions are received regarding denominations and quantity of notes to be printed. The high-security paper used to print the notes comes from the currency paper mills in Mysuru and Hoshangabad.

3) Distributing the notes across the country: Once the notes have been printed, they need to be distributed across 19 regional centres of the RBI. Along with these centres, there are 4,000currency chests which serve areas not covered under these centres and they too need to receive the freshly printed notes. However, as explained by the IE report, even after these notes have reached their destinations, they do not hold any value till they are backed by cash or securities of equal value.Read more