'Not illegal' to carry rupees abroad on return from India

MUSCAT, Feb 18: The Indian Embassy in Muscat has said that it's not exactly 'illegal to carry currency up to Rs25,000 abroad'.

The confusion arose after the Omani consulate in Mumbai, in an advisory issued on its Twitter account on February 14, urged Omanis not to carry any Indian currency when leaving India.

According to the Reserve Bank of India, (Circular No. 45/2015-16 [(1)/6(R) issued on Feb 4, 2016, any person, other than a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, and visiting India, is allowed to take outside an amount not exceeding Rs25,000. Following the advisory, media reports in Oman stated that it was illegal to carry any amount of Indian currency abroad and people who were caught with Indian rupees could face legal implications.

Denying the reports, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said that the RBI rule of maximum Rs25,000 (that can be carried out) stands and is still applicable currently. The embassy said while it was fine to issue an advisory not to carry any amount, it is currently not illegal to carry up to Rs25,000.

Any person resident in India may take abroad (other than to Nepal and Bhutan) Indian currency notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs25,000 per person. Also, he may take or send outside India (other than to Nepal and Bhutan) commemorative coins not exceeding two each.

For any person resident outside India, not being a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, and visiting India, "he may take outside Indian currency notes of the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India up to an amount not exceeding Rs25,000 per person. He may bring into India currency notes of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India not exceeding Rs25,000 per person".