Tamil Nadu Replaces Rupee Symbol, But Its Creator Hails from the State
Tamil Nadu Replaces Rupee Symbol, But Its Creator Hails from the State
Chennai: The rupee symbol (₹), which was introduced in 2010 and designed by Tamilian professor D Udaya Kumar, has been replaced by the Tamil script “ரூ” in Tamil Nadu’s state budget for 2025-26. Chief Minister M K Stalin announced the change on Thursday, citing concerns over “Hindi imposition” by the BJP-led Central government.
The move has sparked political controversy, with the Tamil Nadu BJP condemning it as “laughable and unnecessary.” Critics argue that the rupee symbol, which the state government has now abandoned, was created by a Tamilian during the tenure of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Who Designed the Rupee Symbol?
D Udaya Kumar, a professor at IIT Guwahati, designed the rupee symbol, which was officially adopted on July 15, 2010. His design was selected from 3,000 submissions across India, earning him a prize of ₹2.5 lakh.
The rupee symbol features a capital ‘R’ and the Devanagari letter ‘Ra’, integrating Indian and Roman script influences. It also includes two horizontal lines, symbolizing the Indian flag and economic equality. Kumar, the son of former DMK MLA N Dharmalingam, has expressed pride in his work but has chosen not to criticize the Tamil Nadu government’s decision.
“As a designer, you must be open to changes and criticism,” Kumar told NDTV. “Not every design is universally accepted, and this move does not affect me personally.”
Despite the controversy, Kumar’s creation remains an integral part of India’s financial identity, used nationally and internationally for over a decade.
