Home India Reserve Bank of India Master Circular – Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit No...
Date: 2016-07-20 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: India

Master Circular – Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes

Issued by Reserve Bank of India · Not Applicable

Research with AI Agent Chat with Document Generate Summary Translate Helpful Share Add to Project Create Task

Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Executive Summary: This master circular, updated as of July 20, 2016, consolidates and updates instructions regarding the detection and impounding of counterfeit notes. It outlines procedures for banks, treasuries, and RBI issue offices, covering counterfeit note detection, reporting to police, staff training, and infrastructure requirements. It emphasizes the importance of machine verification of notes and strict adherence to RBI guidelines to prevent circulation of counterfeit currency. Key Points / Main Content: Detection and Impounding: * Counterfeit notes must be impounded by all bank branches (Public, Private, Foreign, Cooperative, and RRBs), treasuries/sub-treasuries, and RBI issue offices. * Notes determined as counterfeit must be stamped "COUNTERFEIT NOTE" and recorded in a separate register. * A receipt in Annex II format must be issued to the tenderer, even if they refuse to countersign it. * Banks must use machines to examine banknotes for authenticity, especially for ₹100 and above denominations, and are prohibited from recirculating cash receipts without machine processing. * Failure to impound counterfeit notes leads to penalties for the bank, construing it as willful involvement in circulation and ATMs dispensing counterfeit notes will be considered an attempt to circulate counterfeit notes. Reporting to Police and Other Bodies: * Detection of up to 4 counterfeit notes in a single transaction requires a consolidated monthly report (Annex III) to police. * Detection of 5 or more counterfeit notes in a single transaction requires filing an FIR (Annex IV) with the local police. * A copy of the monthly consolidated report/FIR shall be sent to the Forged Note Vigilance Cell at the Head Office of the bank/Issue Office of the Reserve Bank concerned. * Banks must monitor counterfeit note detection trends and report suspicious patterns to RBI and police. * Suspected foreign currency notes should be forwarded to the Interpol Wing of the CBI, New Delhi. Nodal Bank Officer and Forged Note Vigilance Cell (FNVC): * Each bank must designate a Nodal Bank Officer district-wise, serving as the contact point for counterfeit note detection activities. * Each bank must establish a Forged Note Vigilance Cell at its Head Office to monitor implementation of instructions, compile data, follow up with police, and conduct surprise checks. * FNVC shall submit a quarterly status report to the Chief General Manager, Department of Currency Management, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Amar Building, Fourth Floor, Sir P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001, and to the Issue office of the Regional office of Reserve Bank under whose jurisdiction the FNV Cell is functioning, within a fortnight from the conclusion of the quarter under report and furnish address particulars annually as of July 1st (Annex V). Infrastructure and Training: * Bank branches and back offices should be equipped with ultraviolet lamps and banknote sorting/detection machines. * Currency chest branches should have verification, processing, and sorting machines, maintaining a daily record of notes processed and counterfeits detected. * Banks must train cash handling staff on security features of banknotes (Annex VII) and display these features prominently. Data Reporting to RBI: * Bank branches must report counterfeit notes detected monthly in the prescribed format (Annex VI) to the Issue Office of Reserve Bank by the 7th of the next month. * Principal Officers of banks must report information on cash transactions where forged notes have been used as genuine notes to FIU-IND within seven working days. Preservation of Counterfeit Notes: * Counterfeit notes received from police/courts must be preserved carefully for three years from the date of receipt, with branch-wise consolidated records maintained by the Forged Note Vigilance Cell, and verified on a half-yearly basis on 31st March and 30th September by the Officer-in Charge of the bank office concerned. Impact Analysis: Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, RRBs, Private Banks, and Foreign Banks: * Impact: Enhanced monitoring, reporting, and infrastructure requirements to detect and impound counterfeit notes. * Action Required: Ensure staff training, designate Nodal Officers, establish Forged Note Vigilance Cells, upgrade equipment, and adhere to reporting guidelines. Treasuries and Sub-Treasuries: * Impact: Adherence to procedures for detecting, impounding, and reporting counterfeit notes. * Action Required: Train staff, implement detection mechanisms, and follow reporting protocols. Reserve Bank of India (RBI): * Impact: Central authority overseeing the detection and impounding of counterfeit notes. * Action Required: Monitor compliance, provide training materials, and update guidelines as necessary. Police Authorities: * Impact: Investigation of counterfeit note cases and coordination with banks. * Action Required: Receive and investigate reports of counterfeit notes, provide acknowledgements for notes received, and coordinate with Nodal Bank Officers. Cash Handling Staff: * Impact: Direct responsibility for identifying and handling counterfeit notes. * Action Required: Participate in training programs, utilize detection equipment, and follow established procedures for impounding and reporting counterfeit notes.

Key Entities Referenced

Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, responsible for issuing the Master Circular on Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes. Commercial Banks: A category of banks to whom the Master Circular is addressed, including instructions regarding counterfeit notes. Cooperative Banks: A category of banks to whom the Master Circular is addressed, including instructions regarding counterfeit notes and data reporting. Regional Rural Banks: A category of banks to whom the Master Circular is addressed, including instructions regarding counterfeit notes and data reporting. Private Banks: A category of banks to whom the Master Circular is addressed, including instructions regarding counterfeit notes. Foreign Banks: A category of banks to whom the Master Circular is addressed, including instructions regarding counterfeit notes. Mumbai, Maharashtra: Location of the Central Office of the Department of Currency Management of the Reserve Bank of India. Financial Intelligence Unit India: The national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions. Banks are required to report information on cash transactions where forged notes have been used as genuine note to FIU.
Official Source Record View Original Source →
See Full Document Text
RBI/2016-17/22 DCM (FNVD) G–6/16.01.05/2016-17 July 20, 2016 The Chairman / Managing Director, Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, RRBs, Private Banks, Foreign Banks and Director of Treasuries of all States Dear Sir / Madam, Master Circular – Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes Please refer to the Master Circular DCM (FNVD) No.G-4/16.01.05/ 2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 (updated on 28 Sept 2015) consolidating the instructions issued till Sept. 28, 2015, relating to Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes. The Master Circular has since been updated by incorporating the instructions issued till date and has been placed on the RBI website www.rbi.org.in. The Master Circular is a compilation of the instructions contained in the circulars issued by RBI on the above subject which are operational as on the date of this Circular. Yours faithfully, (P Vijaya Kumar) Chief General Manager Encl: Master Circular मुद्रा प्रबंध �वभाग, केन्द्र�य कायार्लय, चौथी मंिज़ल, अमर �बिल्डगं , सर पी. एम. माग,र् पोस्ट बॉक्स स.1379, मुंबई -400 001(भारत) फोन:-+91 22 2266 1644; फ़ैक्स :- +91 22 2266 2442; ई-मेल :- helpdcm@rbi.org.in Department of Currency Management, Central Office, 4th Floor, Sir P.M. Road, P.B. No.1379, Mumbai- 400 001 (India) Phone :- +91 22 2260 3000, 2260 4000 Fax:- +91 22 2266 2442 E mail : helpdcm@rbi.org.in �हन्द� आसान है, इसका प्रयोग बढ़ाइएINDEX CONTENTS Para No Particulars 1 Authority to Impound Counterfeit Notes 2 Detection of counterfeit notes 3 Impounding of Counterfeit notes 4 Issue of Receipt to tenderer 5 Detection of counterfeit notes – Reporting to Police and other bodies 6 Examination of Banknotes Before Issuing over Counters, Feeding ATMs and Remitting to Issue Offices of RBI 7 Designating Nodal Bank Officer 8 Establishment of Forged Notes Vigilance Cell at Head Office of Bank 9 Provision of Ultra-Violet Lamp and Other Infrastructure 10 Reporting of Data - (I) Bank Branches (II) Cooperative Banks & RRBs 11 Preservation of Counterfeit Notes Received from Police Authorities 12 Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Training of Staff Annex I Annex II Annex III Annex IV Annex V Annex VI Annex VIIRESERVE BANK OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF CURRENCY MANAGEMENT MASTER CIRCULAR – 2016-17 Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes Para 1 Authority to Impound Counterfeit Notes The Counterfeit Notes can be impounded by- (i) All branches of Public Sector Banks. (ii) All branches of Private Sector Banks and Foreign Banks. (iii) All branches of Co-operative Banks & Regional Rural Banks. (iv) All Treasuries and Sub-Treasuries. (v) Issue Offices of Reserve Bank of India. Para 2 Detection of counterfeit notes Banknotes tendered over the counter / received directly at the back office / currency chest through bulk tenders should be examined for authenticity through machines. No credit to customer’s account is to be given for counterfeit notes, if any, detected in the tender received over the counter or at the back-office / currency chest. In no case, the counterfeit notes should be returned to the tenderer or destroyed by the bank branches / treasuries. Failure of the banks to impound counterfeit notes detected at their end will be construed as willful involvement of the bank concerned, in circulating counterfeit notes and penalty will be imposed for violation of Directive No. 3158/09.39.00 (Policy)/2009-10 dated November 19, 2009 issued by the Reserve Bank. Para 3 Impounding of counterfeit notes Notes determined as counterfeit shall be stamped as "COUNTERFEIT NOTE" and impounded in the prescribed format (Annex I). Each such impounded note shall be recorded under authentication, in a separate register. Para 4 Issue of Receipt to Tenderer When a banknote tendered at the counter of a bank branch/back office and currency chest or treasury is found to be counterfeit, an acknowledgement receipt in the prescribed format (Annex II) must be issued to the tenderer, after stamping the note as in Paragraph 2 ibid. The receipt, in running serial numbers, should be authenticated by the cashier and tenderer. Notice to this effect should be displayed prominently at the offices / branches for information of the public. The receipt is to be issued even in cases where the tenderer is unwilling to countersign it.Para 5 Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Reporting to Police and other bodies The following procedure should be followed while reporting incidence of detection of counterfeit note to the Police: For cases of detection of counterfeit notes upto 4 pieces, in a single transaction, a consolidated report in the prescribed format (Annex III) should be sent by the Nodal Bank Officer to the police authorities or the Nodal Police Station, along with the suspect counterfeit notes, at the end of the month. For cases of detection of counterfeit notes of 5 or more pieces, in a single transaction, the counterfeit notes should be forwarded by the Nodal Bank Officer to the local police authorities or the Nodal Police Station for investigation by filing FIR in the prescribed format (Annex IV). A copy of the monthly consolidated report / FIR shall be sent to the Forged Note Vigilance Cell constituted at the Head Office of the bank (only in the case of banks), and in the case of the treasury, it should be sent to the Issue Office of the Reserve Bank concerned. Acknowledgement of the police authorities concerned has to be obtained for note/s forwarded to them both as consolidated monthly statement and FIR. If the counterfeit notes are sent to the police by insured post, acknowledgement of receipt thereof by the police should be invariably obtained and kept on record. A proper follow-up of receipt of acknowledgement from the police authorities is necessary. In case, any difficulty is faced by the Offices / Branches due to reluctance of the police to receive monthly consolidate statement / file FIRs, the matter may be sorted out in consultation with the Nodal Officer of the police authority designated to coordinate matters relating to investigation of counterfeit banknotes cases. The list of Nodal Police Station may be obtained from the respective Regional Office of Reserve Bank. Banks should also monitor the patterns / trends of such detection and suspicious trends / patterns should be brought to the notice of RBI /Police authorities immediately. The progress made by banks in detection and reporting of counterfeit notes to Police, RBI, etc. and problems thereof, should be discussed regularly in the meetings of various State Level Committees viz. State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), Standing Committee on Currency Management (SCCM), State Level Security Committee (SLSC), etc. The data on detection of counterfeit Indian notes at bank branches & treasuries should be included in the monthly Returns forwarded to the Reserve Bank Issue Offices as indicated in para 10 below. The definition of 'counterfeiting' in the Indian Penal Code covers currency notes issued by a foreign government authority as well. In case of suspected foreign currency note received for opinion from the police and government agencies, etc., they should be advised to forward the case to the Interpol Wing of the CBI, New Delhi after prior consultation with them.The Government of India has framed Investigation of High Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency Offences Rules, 2013 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The Third Schedule of the Act defines High Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency Note. Activity of production, smuggling distribution and circulation of High Quality Counterfeit Notes has been brought under the ambit of UAPA, 1967. Para 6 Examination of the Banknotes before Issuing over Counters, Feeding ATMs and Remitting to Issue Offices of the Reserve Bank The banks should re-align their cash management in such a manner so as to ensure that cash receipts in the denominations of ₹ 100 and above are not put into re-circulation without the notes being machine processed for authenticity. The said instructions shall be applicable to all bank branches, irrespective of the volume of daily cash receipt. Any non-compliance will be construed as violation of the Directive No. 3158/09.39.00 (Policy)/2009-10 dated November 19, 2009 issued by the Reserve Bank. In order to obviate complaints regarding receipt of counterfeit notes through ATMs, and to curb circulation of counterfeits, it is imperative to put in place adequate safeguards/checks before loading ATMs with notes. Dispensation of counterfeit notes through the ATMs would be construed as an attempt to circulate the counterfeit notes by the bank concerned. Detection of counterfeits in chest remittances is also liable to be construed as willful involvement of the chest branches concerned in circulating Counterfeit Notes and may attract special investigation by police authorities, and other action like suspending the operation of the chest concerned. Penalty at 100% of the notional value of counterfeit notes, in addition to the recovery of loss to the extent of the notional value of such notes, will be imposed under the following circumstances: a) When counterfeit notes are detected in the soiled note remittance of the bank. b) If counterfeit notes are detected in the currency chest balance of a bank during Inspection / Audit by RBI In terms of circular No.DPSS.CO.PD2298/02.10.002/2011-12 dated June 20, 2012, the responsibility of ensuring the quality and genuineness of cash loaded at White Label ATMs would be that of the Sponsor Bank. Para 7 Designating Nodal Bank Officer Each bank should designate Nodal Bank Officer, district-wise and notify the same to the concerned Regional Office of RBI and Police Authorities. All cases of reporting of counterfeit note detection as indicated in Para 5 should be through the Nodal Bank Officer. The Nodal Bank Officer will also serve as the contact point for all counterfeit note detection related activities.Para 8 Establishment of Forged Notes Vigilance Cell at Head Office of Bank Each bank shall establish at its Head Office, a Forged Note Vigilance Cell to undertake the following functions: i. Dissemination of instructions issued by the Reserve Bank on counterfeit notes to bank’s branches. Monitoring the implementation of these instructions. Compilation of data on detection of counterfeit notes, and its submission to Reserve Bank and FIU-IND as per extant instructions. Follow-up of cases of counterfeit notes, with police authorities / designated nodal officer. ii. Sharing of the information thus compiled with bank’s CVO and report to him / her all cases of acceptance / issue of counterfeit notes over the counters. iii. Conducting periodic surprise checks at currency chests where shortages/ defective /counterfeit notes etc. are detected. iv. Ensuring operation of Note Sorting Machines of appropriate capacity at all the currency chests / back offices and closely monitoring the detection of Counterfeit Notes and maintaining the record of the same. Ensuring that only properly sorted and machine examined banknotes are fed into the ATMs / issued over the counters and to put in place adequate safeguards, including surprise checks, both during the processing and in transit of notes. Forged Note Vigilance Cell shall submit status report on a quarterly basis covering the aforesaid aspects to the Chief General Manager, Department of Currency Management, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Amar Building, Fourth Floor, Sir P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001, and to the Issue office of the Regional office of Reserve Bank under whose jurisdiction the FNV Cell is functioning, within a fortnight from the conclusion of the quarter under report. The said report should be sent by mail. No hard copy need be sent. In order to update the record of the addresses of the Forged Note Vigilance Cells, the bank shall furnish by e-mail, in the prescribed format (Annex V), the address etc. particulars to the Reserve Bank every year, as on 1st July. No hard copy need be sent. Para 9 Provision of Ultra-Violet Lamp and Other Infrastructure With a view to facilitating the detection of counterfeit notes, all bank branches / identified back offices should be equipped with ultra-violet lamps / other appropriate banknote sorting / detection machines. In addition, all currency chest branches should be equipped with verification, processing and sorting machines and should be used to their optimum capacity. Such machines should conform to the guidelines on 'Note Authentication and Fitness Sorting Parameters' prescribed by the Reserve Bank in May 2010. The banks shall maintain a daily record of the notes processed through the Note Sorting machines, including the number of counterfeits detected. The banks should also consider providing at least one counting machine (with dual display facility) for public use at the counter.Para 10 Reporting of Data to RBI I By Bank branches Data on counterfeit notes detected by all the branches of the bank shall be reported in the prescribed format, on a monthly basis. A statement (Annex VI) showing the details of counterfeit notes detected in the bank branches during the month shall be compiled and forwarded to the Issue Office of Reserve Bank concerned so as to reach them by 7th of the next month. Under Rule 3 of Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005, Principal Officers of banks are also required to report information on cash transactions where forged notes have been used as genuine note to The Director, FIU-IND, Financial Intelligence Unit- India, 6th Floor, Hotel Samrat, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, within seven working days. A “nil “report may be sent in case no counterfeit has been detected during the month. II By Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks Data on Counterfeit Notes detected by branches of Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks should be furnished on monthly basis to the respective Issue Office of Reserve Bank in prescribed format (Annex VI). Para 11 Preservation of Counterfeit Notes Received from Police Authorities All Counterfeit Notes received back from the police authorities/courts may be carefully preserved in the safe custody of the bank and a record thereof be maintained by the branch concerned. Forged Note Vigilance Cell of the bank shall also maintain a branch-wise consolidated record of such Counterfeit Notes. These Counterfeit Notes at branches should be subjected to verification on a half-yearly basis (on 31st March and 30th September) by the Officer-in- Charge of the bank office concerned. They should be preserved for a period of three years from the date of receipt from the police authorities. They may thereafter be sent to the concerned Issue Office of Reserve Bank of India with full details. Counterfeit notes, which are the subject matter of litigation in the court of law should be preserved with the branch concerned for three years after conclusion of the court case. Para 12 Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Training of Staff It is necessary to ensure that the cash handling staff in banks and treasuries / sub-treasuries is fully conversant with the security features of a banknote.With a view to educating the branch staff on detection of counterfeit notes, the design and security features of all the banknotes shown in Annex VII have been supplied to all the banks / treasuries with instructions to display them prominently at the branches for information of the public. Posters of the 2005-06 series of banknotes have also been supplied to bank branches for display at the branches. Posters of the 2005-06 series are also available for download in http://www.paisaboltahai.rbi.org.in. The Controlling Offices / Training Centers should also organise / conduct training programmes on the security features of banknotes for members of staff to enable detection of counterfeit notes at the point of receipt itself. The banks should ensure that all bank personnel handling cash are trained on features of genuine Indian bank notes. The Reserve Bank will also provide faculty support and training materials.Annex I (Paragraph 3) Each banknote, which, on examination of various security features / parameters, is determined as a counterfeit one, shall be branded with a stamp "COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE". For this purpose, a stamp with a uniform size of 5 cm x 5 cm with the following inscription may be used. COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE IMPOUNDED BANK / TREASURY/ SUB-TREASURY BRANCH / CURRENCY CHEST SIGNATURE DATEAnnex II (Paragraph 4) Format – Acknowledgement Receipt to be issued to the tenderer of counterfeit notes Name of the Bank / Treasury/ Sub-treasury: Address: Serial Number of the Receipt: Date: The note (s) described below received from…………………………….(Name and Address of the tenderer) is/are counterfeit and has/have therefore been impounded and stamped accordingly. Serial number of the note Denomination Parameter on which the deemed as counterfeit note is deemed as counterfeit Total number of counterfeit notes: (Signature of the Tenderer) (Signature of the counter staff)Annex III (Paragraph 5) Consolidated Monthly Reporting for the month of ________ 1. Name of the Bank / District: 2. Name and Address of the Nodal Officer: 3. Detail of counterfeit notes: Date of Name of Details of Denominations / Security features detection branch / tenderer pieces / serial breached currency numbers chest 4. The counterfeit notes are enclosed. 5. Kindly acknowledge receipt. (Authorised signatory) Encl:Annex- IV (Paragraph 5) Name of the Bank: District: Name and Address of the Nodal Bank Officer: Ref. No. Date: The Sr. Inspector of Police ___________Police Station, Dear Sir, Detection of counterfeit note/s – Request for investigation We enclose the following counterfeit notes detected in our office on ________. The details of the counterfeit notes are furnished below. 2. As the printing and/or circulation of forged Indian Currency Notes is an offence under Sections 489A to 489E of the Indian Penal Code, we request you to lodge FIR and conduct the necessary investigation. In case it is decided to file criminal proceedings in the court of law, you may first arrange to send the notes to any of the Note Printing Presses, Forensic Science Laboratories etc. in terms of the provisions of Section 292(1) and 292(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure) for examination. The expert opinion furnished may be produced in the court as evidence under Section 292 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The forged notes may please be returned to us after the completion of the investigation and/or proceedings in the court of law along with the detailed report of the investigation/decision of the court. Denominations Serial Notional Details Name and Bank’s Entry No /Number of Number Value of Address of the pieces tenderer branch / currency chest where detection took place 3. The counterfeit notes are enclosed. 4. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully, Authorized Signatory Encl:Annex V (Paragraph 8) FORMAT FOR FURNISHING ADDRESS ETC. PARTICULARS OF FORGED NOTE VIGILANCE CELL (FNVC) TO RBI (TO BE FURNISHED BY E-MAIL ON 1ST JULY EVERY YEAR) REF: MASTER CIRCULAR DATED JULY1, 2012 ISSUED BY RBI NAME ADDRESS NAME AND TELEPHONE FAX E-mail OF OF FNVC DESIGNATION NO (WITH NO. Address of the THE (WITH OF OFFICER- CODE). (WITH FNVC BANK PIN IN-CHARGE CODE) CODE) We note to intimate immediately the changes, if any, in the particulars furnished above Name of Authorised Official: Designation: Date: NB: The completed format should be transmitted by e-mail, in MS-Excel on the following address- E-mail (No hard copy need be sent)Annex VI (Paragraph 10) Name of the bank /District: Statement showing the details of counterfeit banknotes detected in the _______________ during the month of _______________ A. Details of counterfeit notes detected: Name of Type of Denomination-wise Details in Total pieces branch / detection pieces currency 10 20 50 100 500 1000 chest FIR Non-FIR Pieces of notes processed B) Details of cases filed with police: Pending Sent to Returned Pending with the Police at with Police Police by the the end of the month at the during Police beginning of the the month month under report No. of cases No. of pieces NB: Each FIR lodged comprises one case. The total number of forged notes covered by the FIR may be indicated in each of the columns above. Forwarded to: - 1. The General Manager/Deputy General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Issue Department, ____________ (Signature) Name & Designation of the Authorised OfficialAnnex VII (Paragraph 12) Designs of Bank Notes Issued by the Reserve Bank of India since 1967 Year Size Watermark Front Back I.Rs.10 notes 1967 137 Ashoka Pillar Purple colour. Numeral 10 in the Value of the note in 14 languages. x63 centre. The oval seascape with country mm craft. 1968 -do- -do- Blue-black colour. Promise clause, -do- guarantee clause and signature RBI’s name in Hindi added. printed in bilingual. 1969 -do- -do- Blue Black colour. ‘Ten Rupees’ Mahatma Gandhi’s Portrait. instead of ‘Rupees Ten’. 1970 -do- Ashoka Pillar with Hindi version of RBI incorporated in Bilingual seal incorporated spinning wheels. place of English and vice versa. Hindi rendering of Guarantee clause, promise clause and Governor’s signature have been interchanged. सत्यमेव जयत े incorporated. Watermark window and numbering panel enlarged. 1975 -do- -do- Dark brown, umber and blue colour. Pale brown, Ochre blue and green Numeral ‘10’ printed in dark brown. colour. A circle with two Peacocks Intaglio printing. Languages scroll on on branch of a tree. Deer, horses, left and Ashoka Pillar emblem on bird and lotus. right. 1992 -do- -do- Overall colour scheme in pale pink, Shalimar garden magenta and yellow 1996 -do- Portrait of Overall colour scheme in mauve Intricate guilloche and floral Mahatma Gandhi brown, orange and pink. Portrait of patterns with profiles of an with Mahatma Gandhi. Embedded security elephant, rhinoceros and tiger’s multidirectional thread containing the words 'भारत RBI’ faces. Value of note in 15 Indian lines in the languages. readable on both sides when held watermark against light. window. 2006 -do- The portrait of Machine readable windowed Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma demetalised clear text magnetic the printing stage on the reverse of Gandhi, the security thread with inscriptions the banknote. multidirectional 'Bharat' (in Hindi) and RBI which lines, and an fluoresces in yellow on both sides electrotype mark under UV light. (Generic). showing the Width: 1.4 mm denominational numeral 10 Dual coloured optical fibres. appear in this The small floral design printed both on section and these the front (hollow) and back (filled up) can be viewedbetter when the of the note in the middle of the vertical banknote is held band next to the Watermark has an against light. accurate back-to-back registration so that the numeral appears as one when seen against the light. 2011 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ` symbol was introduced reverse. In addition, ` symbol was on the obverse of the banknote, on introduced on the reverse of the the top left and top right corner (along banknotes, on the top left and top with the denominational numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). 2016 -do- -do- -do- In addition, the numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size II. Rs.20 notes 1972 147X Ashoka Pillar Saffron colour. Ashoka Pillar emblem Bold lettering in Hindi appears 63m on the right and language panel on centrally in a horizontal panel, m the left side. flanked by figures 20 at the corner. Picture of Parliament House. On the left value in Indian languages. 1975 -do- Small Ashoka Red, blue, mauve and pale yellow Dry offset printing. Red, blue and Pillar with chain colour. Numerical 20 in dark mauve mauve colour. Chariot wheel of of spinning on a light yellow lotus shaped design. Konark Sun temple at the centre. wheels. Resin Language scroll on the left and Watermark window in pale blue is treated paper Ashoka Pillar emblem on right. The surrounded by an ornamental printing bleeds off on all sides but not design in perfect register with in corners, which are paper white. corresponding design on obverse Bilingual names, clauses and of the note. signature. 2001 -do- Mahatma Gandhi The security thread totally embedded The central theme depicts the Portrait with the letters "Bharat" (in Hindi) and Indian coastal line with coconut "RBI" The colour is predominantly grooves. The value of the note reddish orange. The Ashoka Pillar has appears in 15 languages in a been replaced by the Mahatma vertical panel in the left hand side. Gandhi's Portrait in dark red while the Ashoka Pillar has been shifted to the left side bottom corner and the size is smaller. The numeral 20, RBI seal, Mahatma Gandhi's Portrait, RBI Legend, Guarantee and Promise clauses, Governor's Signature and Ashoka Pillar inset are in intaglio. The words RBI and the numeral 20 in Micro letters appear alternatively behind the Mahatma Gandhi's Portrait. An identification mark by wayof a small vertical rectangle in raised form appears on the left side of the note to facilitate the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note. The numbers in the number panel are printed in red. 2006 -do- The portrait of Machine readable windowed Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma demetalised clear text magnetic the printing stage on the reverse of Gandhi, the security thread with inscriptions the banknote. multidirectional 'Bharat' (in Hindi) and RBI which lines, and an fluoresces in yellow on both sides electrotype mark under UV light (Generic). showing the Width: 1.4 mm denominational numeral 20 Dual coloured optical fibres. appear in this The small floral design printed both on section and these the front (hollow) and back (filled up) can be viewed of the note in the middle of the vertical better when the band next to the Watermark has an banknote is held accurate back-to-back registration so against light that the numeral appears as one when seen against the light. 2012 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ` symbol was introduced reverse. In addition, ` symbol was on the obverse of the banknote, on introduced on the reverse of the the top left and top right corner (along banknotes, on the top left and top with the denominational numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). III. Rs.50 notes 1975 147X Ashoka Pillar with Mauve colour with hues of blue green Mauve, brown and yellow colours. chain of wheels. and purple. Numeral 50 in dark brown. Parliament House at the centre. 73m Language scroll on left and Ashoka Watermark window in pale mauve, m Pillar emblem on right. Printing surrounded by an ornamental bleeds off on all sides except at design, which is in perfect register corners. with corresponding design on the obverse. 1981 -do- -do- Intaglio-fast blue, yellow red. Ashoka Dry offset-yellowish brown and Pillar and languages in deep violet body in deep purple colour. colours, rest in deep green and brown Parliament House with National colours. सत्यमेव जयत े below Ashoka flag on top Pillar emblem. 1997 -do- Portrait of Yellow, blue and violet colour. A panoramic view of India’s Mahatma Gandhi Ashoka Pillar replaced by Mahatma Parliament House with floral with Gandhi Portrait in blue. Security patterns above and filigree multidirectional thread totally embedded inside the patterns on the sides. The value lines in the note the letters ‘भारत’ and 'RBI’. A of the note in 15 Indian languages. window. small black solid square on the left hand side of the watermark to help the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note.2005 -do- The portrait of Machine readable windowed Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma Gandhi, demetalised clear text magnetic the printing stage on the reverse of the multidirectional security thread with inscriptions the banknote. lines, and an ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi) and RBI which electrotype mark fluoresces in yellow on both sides showing the under U.V.light –width 1.4 mm. The denominational Intaglio Printing i.e. raised prints is numeral 50 appear more prominent in the name of the in this section and Bank in Hindi and English, the these can be viewed Reserve Bank Seal, guarantee and better when the promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem banknote is held on the left, RBI Governor’s signature. against light A square in intaglio on the left of the watermark window with increased depth of engraving helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination. Optical fibres are in dual colour. The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the banknote in the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window has an accurate back-to-back registration so that the numeral appears as one when seen against the light. 2012 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ` symbol was introduced reverse. In addition, ` symbol was on the obverse of the banknote, on introduced on the reverse of the the top left and top right corner (along banknotes, on the top left and top with the denominational numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). 2015 -do- -do- -do- -do- In addition, the numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size IV.Rs.100 notes 1967 157 Ashoka Pillar Blue colour. Numeral 100 appears Vertical panel of 14 Indian X73 prominently in centre. Ashoka Pillar languages on left. Hirakud Dam in mm emblem on the right. the background in a circular frame. 1969 -do- -do- Blue colour and promise clause, Picture of Mahatma Gandhi in a Guarantee clause and Governor's sitting posture with Sevagram signature in bilingual. Ashram in the background in a circular frame. 1975 -do- Ashoka Pillar with Intaglio deep blue with hues of blue, Intaglio deep blue and brown spinning wheels. brown, pink and dark green. Numeral shade of corn, agricultural 100 in dark blue. Watermark window operations, Tea plantation andlight blue. RBI's name, promise hydroelectric power project. clause, Guarantee clause and `Watermark’ window is surrounded Governor's signature in bilingual. by an ornamental design, which is Language scroll on left and Ashoka in perfect register with similar Pillar emblem on right. Printing bleeds design on the obverse. off on all sides except at corners. 1979 -do- -do- One side intaglio blue, red and deep Dry-offset. Black and maroon green, Tints of reddish and yellowish colours. Tint design in greenish green shade. सत्यमेव जयते below blue and brownish shades. Ashoka Pillar emblem. 1996 -do- Portrait of Printed with the combination of offset Central theme depicts a Mahatma Gandhi and intaglio process. overall colour is panoramic view of the with predominantly blue, grey and green. Kanchangunga range with floral multidirectional Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. A patterns above and filigree lines in the windowed security thread partly visible patterns on the sides. The value watermark from the front but totally embedded of note appears in 15 languages window. inside. Letters ‘भारत’ and ‘RBI’ printed on the left hand side. on the thread. A small black solid triangle in intaglio on left hand side of the watermark to help the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note. 2005 -do- The portrait of Machine-readable windowed Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma Gandhi, demetalised clear text magnetic the printing stage on the reverse of the multidirectional security thread with inscriptions the banknote. lines, and an ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi) and RBI on notes of electrotype mark Rs.100 with exclusive colour shift. showing the Colour of the thread shall shift from denominational green to blue when viewed from numeral 100 different angles. It will fluoresce in appear in this yellow on the reverse and the text will section and these fluoresce on the obverse under can be viewed U.V.light –width – 2 m.m. better when the The Intaglio Printing i.e. raised prints banknote is held is more prominent in the name of the against light. Bank in Hindi and English, the Reserve Bank Seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor’s signature. A triangle in intaglio on the left of the watermark window with increased depth of engraving helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination. Optical fibres are in dual colour. The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back(filled up) of the banknote in the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window has an accurate back to back registration so that the numeral appears as one when seen againstthe light. 2011 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ` symbol was introduced reverse. In addition, ` symbol was on the obverse of the banknotes, on introduced on the reverse of the the top left and top right corner (along banknotes on the top left and top with the denominational numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). 2015 -do- -do- -do- -do- In addition, the numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size. In addition, easy to identify markings for visually impaired in the form of four angular bleed lines on both left and right of the obverse side of banknotes. Increase in size of the identification mark (triangle) by 50 per cent V. Rs.500 notes 1987 167 Ashoka Pillar with Printed by dry offset and intaglio Background showing rising sun. X73 spinning wheels. process. Background colours in Background colours in deep mm peacock blue, ochre and green. green, orange and sky blue. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, Ashoka Mahatma Gandhi leading a group Pillar emblem, Promise clause & of people. language panel are printed in intaglio. Five black horizontal relief lines in intaglio on the left side of the watermark to help the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note.1997 -do- Portrait of Printed by offset and intaglio process. Mahatma Gandhi leading a group Mahatma Gandhi Colour scheme is predominantly in of people in brown colour with with the yellow, green, mauve and brown. floral patterns appearing above multidirectional Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait is dark and filigree patterns on each side lines in the brown in colour. Mahatma Gandhi's of this theme. A vertical panel of watermark portrait, RBI legend guarantee and 15 languages appear on the left. window. promise clauses, Ashoka Pillar inset All the above features are in and Governor’s signature are in intaglio. intaglio. A windowed security thread, partly visible from the front but totally embedded inside. Letters भारत and RBI are printed on the thread. Green vertical band behind the Mahatma Gandhi portrait where latent image of 500 is printed. A small black solid circle in intaglio on the left hand side of the watermark to help the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note. 2000 -do- -do- The colours are predominantly mild The design is the same as is on yellow, mauve and brown. Mahatma the 1997 series note. Gandhi’s portrait is in light brown. Numeral 500 printed in Optically Variable Ink (OVI) in Green to Blue colour shift. Except these changes, other designs are same as of 1997 series notes.2005 -do- The portrait of Machine-readable windowed Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma Gandhi, demetalised clear text magnetic the printing stage on the reverse of the multidirectional security thread with inscriptions the banknote. lines, and an `Bharat’ (in Hindi) and RBI on notes of electrotype mark Rs.500 with exclusive colour shift. showing the Colour of the thread shall shift from denominational green to blue when viewed from numeral 500 different angles. It will fluoresce in appear in this yellow on the reverse and the text will section and these fluoresce on the obverse under can be viewed U.V.light –width – 3 m.m. The Intaglio better when the Printing i.e. raised prints is more banknote is held prominent in the name of the Bank in against light. Hindi and English, the Reserve Bank Seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor’s signature. A circle in intaglio on the left of the watermark window with increased depth of engraving helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination. Optical fibres are in dual colour. The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back(filled up) of the banknote in the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window has an accurate back to back registration so that the numeral appears as one when seen against the light. 2011 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ` symbol was introduced reverse. In addition, ` symbol was on the obverse of the banknotes, on introduced on the reverse of the the top left and top right corner (along banknotes on the top left and top with the denominational numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). 2015 -do- -do- -do- -do- In addition, the numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size. In addition, easy to identify markings for visually impaired in the form of five angular bleed lines on both left and right of the obverse side of banknotes. Increase in size of the identification mark (circle) by 50 per centVI. Rs.1000/- notes 2000 177X Portrait of Colour is generally pink (light peach The theme depicts the overall 73m Mahatma Gandhi colour with grey offset background). development of the Indian m with Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait is brown in economy in three-colour intaglio. multidirectional colour. Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, The 15-language panel is on the lines in the numeral 1000, एक हजार रुपये, RBI left side. watermark seal, RBI legend, guarantee and window. promise clause, Governor’s signature are in intaglio printing. Left hand number panel in red colour and right hand number panel in blue colour. Numeral 1000 printed in Optically Variable Ink (OVI) in Green to Blue colour shift. Optically variable (colour shifting) windowed security thread with magnetic property and containing text ‘भारत 1000 RBI'. Green vertical band behind the Mahatma Gandhi portrait where latent image of 1000 is printed. A small black solid diamond shape mark in intaglio on the left hand side of the watermark to help the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note. 2005 - do - The portrait of Machine-readable windowed Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma Gandhi, demetalised clear text magnetic the printing stage on the reverse of the multidirectional security thread with inscriptions the banknote. lines, and an ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi) and RBI on notes of electrotype mark Rs.1000 with exclusive colour shift. showing the Colour of the thread shall shift from denominational green to blue when viewed from numeral 1000 different angles. It will fluoresce in appear in this yellow on the reverse and the text will section and these fluoresce on the obverse under can be viewed U.V.light –width – 3 m.m. The Intaglio better when the Printing i.e. raised prints is more banknote is held prominent in the name of the Bank in against light Hindi and English, the Reserve Bank Seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor’s signature. A diamond in intaglio on the left of the watermark window with increased depth of engraving helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination. Optical fibres are in dual colour. The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back(filled up) of the banknote in the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window has an accurate back to back registration so that the numeralappears as one when seen against the light. 2011 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ` symbol was introduced reverse. In addition, ` symbol was on the obverse of the banknotes, on introduced on the reverse of the the top left and top right corner (along banknotes on the top left and top with the denominational numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). 2015 -do- -do- -do- -do- In addition, the numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size. In addition, easy to identify markings for visually impaired in the form of six angular bleed lines on both left and right of the obverse side of banknotes. Increase in size of the identification mark (diamond) by 50 per cent

Continue your research