Understanding Demonetization in India

This book examines the very concept, history, critique, and impact on the overall economy and black money, the move toward a less-cash economy and digitalization, and government–RBI relations, along with an assessment of two years of demonetization.

Demonetization has created a severe macroeconomic shock. The measure was humungous in scale and led to a sharp contraction in the money supply for a short period. Although demonetization’s proponents have contended that it would cleanse the economy of black money and make transactions more formal and digital, its implementation certainly could have been better. The effects of demonetization on the Indian economy are debatable and will vary by sector. Its effectiveness will be talked about and studied by economists and policymakers for decades to come.

Demonetization has made only a minor dent in the GDP. It has helped to bring more people into the tax net and has reduced the size of the informal economy. With the increased use of digital payments, economic transactions become recorded. This book examines the very concept, history, critique, and impact on the overall economy and black money, the move toward a less-cash economy and digitalization, and government–RBI relations, along with an assessment of two years of demonetization. It would be prudent for the government to focus more on proper institutional reforms to address the issues originating from demonetization.