Security features in banknotes

Security features in Mahatma Gandhi Series

1. Security Thread: Rs.1000 notes introduced in October 2000 contain a readable, windowed security thread alternately visible on the obverse with the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), ‘1000’ and ‘RBI’, but totally embedded on the reverse. The Rs.500 and Rs.100 notes have a security thread with similar visible features and inscription ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), and ‘RBI’. When held against the light, the security thread on Rs.1000, Rs.500 and Rs.100 can be seen as one continuous line. The Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.20 and Rs.50 notes contain a readable, fully embedded windowed security thread with the inscription ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), and ‘RBI’. The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma's portrait. Notes issued prior to the introduction of the Mahatma Gandhi Series have a plain, non-readable fully embedded security thread.
2. Intaglio Printing: The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, Reserve Bank seal, Guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar emblem, RBI Governor's signature and the identification mark for the visually impaired persons are printed in improved intaglio.
3. See through register: The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the note in the middle of the vertical band next to the Watermark has an accurate back to back registration. The design will appear as one floral design when seen against the light.
4. Water Mark: The Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes contain the Mahatma Gandhi watermark with a light and shade effect and multi-directional lines in the watermark window.
5. Fluorescence: The number panels of the banknotes are printed in fluorescent ink. The banknotes also have dual coloured optical fibres. Both can be seen when the banknotes are exposed to ultra-violet lamp.
6. Latent Image: On the obverse side of Rs.1000, Rs.500, Rs.100, Rs.50 and Rs.20 notes, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image showing the respective denominational value in numeral. The latent image is visible only when the note is held horizontally at eye level.
7. Micro letterings: This feature appears between the vertical band and Mahatma Gandhi portrait. It contains the word ‘RBI’ in Rs.5 and Rs.10. The notes of Rs.20 and above also contain the denominational value of the notes in microletters. This feature can be seen better under a magnifying glass.

What is a "star series" banknote?

Fresh banknotes issued by Reserve Bank of India till August 2006 were serially numbered. Each of these banknote bears a distinctive serial number along with a prefix consisting of numerals and letter/s. The banknotes are issued in packets containing 100 pieces.

The Bank has also adopted the "STAR series" numbering system for replacement of defectively printed banknotes. The Star series banknotes are exactly similar to the existing Mahatma Gandhi Series banknotes, but have an additional character viz., a *(star) in the number panel in the space between the prefix and the number as indicated below:

What is on a banknote to help visually challenged people identify the different denominations?

Each denomination is a different size; the greater the value the larger the note. There is an identification mark on the left hand side of each note on the front side which is in raised print (intaglio) and has different shapes for different denominations for eg.  square for Rs 50, rectangle for Rs 20 and none for Rs 10. Further, the denomination numerals are prominently displayed in the central area of the notes in raised print. With a view to make such banknote more user friendly, Reserve Bank of India has introduced additional features in banknotes of Rs 100 denomination viz; Angular Bleed Lines have been introduced in banknotes - 4 lines in 2 blocks in Rs 100 denomination and the identification mark in these notes has been enlarged by 50%.

Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series

The Reserve Bank of India has issued Rs 2000 and Rs 500 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series.

The notes have inset letters "L" and "E" for Rs 500 notes, "R" for Rs 2000 notes, bearing signature of Dr. Urjit R. Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, and the year of printing '2016' printed on the reverse of the banknote.

In the case of Rs 2000 note, the new denomination has Motif of Mangalayan on the reverse, depicting the country’s first venture into the interplanetary space. The base colour of the note is magenta. The note has other designs, geometric patterns aligning with the overall colour scheme, both at the obverse and reverse.

In the case of Rs 500 note, the Swachh Bharat Logo is printed on the reverse of the Banknote. The size is 66mm x150mm. The colour is stone grey. Red Fort-an image of Indian heritage site with Indian flag is found on the reverse. The banknote also has features (intaglio printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, bleed lines, circle with Rs 500 in the right, and the identification mark) which enable the visually impaired person to identify the denomination.

The salient features of the banknotes will be as under:

For more details of Rs 2000 note, click here

For more details of 500 note, click here

For more details of 200 note, click here

For more details of 50 note, click here

For more details of 10 note, click here

Source: RBI