The Indian rupee symbol (₹), which has become an integral part of the country financial identity, was designed by Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, a professor and design expert. Introduced in 2010, the symbol was selected from thousands of entries in a national competition and has since become a global representation of India’s economic strength.
Who is Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam?
Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam is an Indian academic and designer who currently serves as a professor at IIT Guwahati. Born and raised in Tamil Nadu, he has a strong academic background in design and typography. His father, N Dharmalingam, was a former DMK MLA from the Rishivandiyam constituency, making him familiar with both political and cultural landscapes.
Kumar pursued a postgraduate degree in design from IIT Bombay, where he honed his skills in typography and branding. His expertise in Indian scripts played a crucial role in his creation of the rupee symbol.
The Story Behind the Rupee Symbol (₹)
In 2010, the Government of India held a national competition to design a unique rupee symbol that could distinguish it from other currencies using the term “rupee,” such as those in Pakistan, Nepal, and Indonesia. Over 3,300 designs were submitted, and Udaya Kumar design was selected.
His winning design is a blend of the Devanagari letter “Ra” (र) and the Roman letter “R”, with two horizontal strokes at the top. These strokes symbolize the national flag of India and also represent the “equal to” (=) sign, reflecting economic balance and stability. The design was officially adopted on July 15, 2010, by the UPA government under the Ministry of Finance.
Udaya Kumar Reaction to the Recent Controversy
Recently, the Tamil Nadu government sparked controversy by replacing the official rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil alphabet “Ru” (ரூ) in its 2025-26 budget documents. The move has been criticized by opposition parties, particularly the BJP.
When asked about this decision, Udaya Kumar told news agency ANI,
“I don’t have complete information behind the reason for this change. The state government must have its own views and reasons. I designed this symbol 15 years ago when the Central government floated a competition, and it has since been widely used. I never expected such a debate to occur.”
Why the Rupee Symbol (₹) Matters
The rupee symbol is more than just a sign—it represents India economic sovereignty and cultural identity. The blend of Indian and global elements in the design highlights the country’s aspirations on the world stage. Since its adoption, the symbol has been widely used in banking, digital transactions, and international financial exchanges.
Conclusion
Despite the recent controversy, Udaya Kumar rupee symbol (₹) remains an iconic part of India financial identity. His contribution to India’s economic branding has left a lasting legacy, ensuring that India’s currency stands out on the global stage.
