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.
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