Master Direction on Counterfeit Notes, 2023 - Detection, Reporting and Monitoring

भारतीय ररज़र्व बैंक RESERVE BANK OF INDIA www.rbi.org.in RBI/2023-24/98 DCM (FNVD)/G-1/16.01.05/2023-24 April 03, 2023 The Chairman/ Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer All Banks Dear Sir / Madam, Master Direction on Counterfeit Notes, 2023 - Detection, Reporting and Monitoring The Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, issued several guidelines/ instructions/ directives to the banks on counterfeit notes. 2. A Master Direction incorporating and updating the extant guidelines /instructions/ directives on the subject has been prepared to enable banks to have all current instructions on counterfeit note at one place for reference. 3. Reserve Bank of India has issued this Direction in exercise of its powers conferred under Section 35A and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Yours faithfully, (Sanjeev Prakash) Chief General Manager Encl: As above मुद्रा प्रबंध विभाग, 4था तल, अमर भिन, पीएम। मागग., फोर्ग, मुंबई 400001 Department of Currency Management, 4th Floor, Amar Building, P.M. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001 फोन/Phone: (022) 2260 3000 / 4000 फैक्स/Fax: (022) 2266 2442 ईमले /E-mail: cgmincdcm@rbi.org.in हिन्दी आसान िै, इसका प्रयोग बढाइए।Index 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 Banks 9 Provision of Devices Facilitating Detection of Counterfeit Notes 10 Reporting of Data to RBI / Government 11 Preservation of Counterfeit Notes Received from Police Authorities 12 Detection of Counterfeit Notes – Training of Staff Annex Annex I Counterfeit Banknote Stamp Annex II Acknowledgement Receipt to be Issued to the Tenderer of Counterfeit Notes Annex III Consolidated Monthly Report to the Police Annex IV Request for FIR to the Police Annex V Particulars of Forged Note Vigilance Cell (FNVC) To RBI Annex VI Monthly Report to RBI on Counterfeit Notes Annex VII Designs of Bank Notes Issued by the Reserve Bank of India since 1967 Annex VIII List of Circulars Consolidated in this Master Circular 1Master Direction on Counterfeit Notes, 2023 Detection, Reporting and Monitoring In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 35A and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest to do so, hereby, issues the Directions hereinafter specified. 1. Authority to Impound Counterfeit Notes The Counterfeit Notes can be impounded by: (i) All Banks (ii) Issue Offices of Reserve Bank of India 2. Detection of Counterfeit Notes 2.1 Banknotes tendered over the counter shall be examined for authenticity through machines. Similarly, banknotes received directly at the back office / currency chest through bulk tenders shall also be examined through machines. 2.2 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. 2.3 In no case, the Counterfeit Notes shall be returned to the tenderer or destroyed by the bank branches. Failure of the banks to impound Counterfeit Notes detected at their end will be construed as wilful involvement of the bank concerned in circulating Counterfeit Notes and penalty will be imposed. 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. 4. Issue of Receipt to Tenderer When a banknote tendered at the counter of a bank branch / back office and currency chest 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 3 ibid. The receipt, in running serial numbers, shall be authenticated by the cashier and tenderer. Notice to this effect shall 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. 25. Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Reporting to Police and other bodies The following procedure shall be followed while reporting incidence of detection of Counterfeit Note to the Police: 5.1 For cases of detection of Counterfeit Notes up to four (04) pieces in a single transaction, a consolidated report in the prescribed format (Annex III) shall 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. 5.2 For cases of detection of Counterfeit Notes of five (05) or more pieces in a single transaction, the Counterfeit Notes shall be forwarded immediately 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). 5.3 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. 5.4 Acknowledgement of the police authorities concerned has to be obtained for note/s forwarded to them (both for consolidated monthly statement and for filing of FIR). If the Counterfeit Notes are sent to the police by insured post, acknowledgement of receipt thereof by the police shall 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 consolidated 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 Notes cases. The list of Nodal Police Stations may be obtained from the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India. 5.5 In order to facilitate identification of people abetting circulation of Counterfeit Notes, banks are advised to cover the banking hall / area and counters under CCTV surveillance and preserve the recording as per their internal policy. 5.6 Banks shall also monitor the patterns / trends of such detection and suspicious trends / patterns shall be brought to the notice of RBI / Police authorities immediately. 5.7 The progress made by banks in detection and reporting of Counterfeit Notes to Police, RBI, etc. and problems therein, shall 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. 5.8 The data on detection of counterfeit Indian notes at bank branches shall be included in the monthly returns forwarded to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India as indicated in para 10 below. 35.9 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 shall be advised to forward the case to the Interpol Wing of the CBI, New Delhi after prior consultation with them. 5.10 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 or circulation of High Quality Counterfeit Indian Notes has been brought under the ambit of UAPA, 1967. 6. Examination of the Banknotes before Issuing over Counters, Feeding ATMs and Remitting to Issue Offices of the Reserve Bank of India 6.1 The banks shall re-align their cash management in such a manner so as to ensure that banknotes 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 of India. 6.2 In order to obviate complaints regarding receipt of Counterfeit Notes through ATMs, and to curb circulation of Counterfeit Notes, 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. This shall also be applicable to White Level ATM Operators in terms of circular DPSS.CO.OD.No.1916/06.07.011/2018-19 dated March 7, 2019 6.3 Detection of Counterfeit Notes in chest remittances is also liable to be construed as wilful 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. 6.4 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. 7. Designating Nodal Bank Officer Each bank shall designate a Nodal Bank Officer, district-wise to serve as the contact point for all Counterfeit Note detection related activities and notify the same to the concerned Issue 4Office of the Reserve Bank of India and Police Authorities. All cases of reporting of Counterfeit Note detection as indicated in Para 5 shall be done through the Nodal Bank Officer. 8. Establishment of Forged Notes Vigilance Cell at Head Office of Bank 8.1 Each bank shall establish at its Head Office, a Forged Note Vigilance (FNV) Cell to undertake the following functions: i. Dissemination of instructions issued by the Reserve Bank of India 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 of India, Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) as per extant instructions and 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. v. Ensuring that only properly sorted and machine examined banknotes are fed into the ATMs / issued over the counters by putting in place adequate safeguards, including surprise checks, both during the processing and transit of notes. 8.2 FNV Cell shall submit status report on a quarterly basis, by e-mail, 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 Reserve Bank of India under whose jurisdiction the FNV Cell is functioning, within a fortnight from the conclusion of the quarter. 8.3 In order to update the record of the addresses of the FNV Cells, the bank shall furnish by e-mail, in the prescribed format (Annex V), the particulars to the Chief General Manager, Department of Currency Management, Reserve Bank of India every year, as on 1st April. 9. Provision of Devices Facilitating Detection of Counterfeit Notes 9.1 With a view to facilitating the detection of Counterfeit Notes, all bank branches / identified back offices shall be equipped with ultra-violet lamps / other appropriate banknote sorting / detection machines. In addition, all currency chest branches shall be equipped with verification, processing and sorting machines and shall be used to their optimum capacity. Such machines shall conform to the guidelines on 'Note Authentication and Fitness Sorting Parameters' prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. 59.2 The banks shall maintain a daily record of the notes processed through the Note Sorting machines, including the number of counterfeits detected. 9.3 The banks shall also consider providing at least one counting machine (with dual display facility) for public use at the counter. 10. Reporting of Data to RBI / NCRB / FIU-IND 10.1 By All 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. The report (Annex VI) showing the details of Counterfeit Notes detected in the bank branches during the month shall be compiled and forwarded to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India so as to reach them by 7th of the next month. A “Nil” report shall be sent even in case where no counterfeit note has been detected during the month. 10.2 Under Rule 8 (1) of Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Amendment Rules, 2013, Principal Officers of banks shall report information on cash transactions where forged notes have been detected to FIU-IND, by the 15th day of the succeeding month, by uploading the information on the FINnet Portal. Similarly, data on Counterfeit Note detection shall be uploaded on the web-enabled software of NCRB, New Delhi at their website. 11. Preservation of Counterfeit Notes Received from Police Authorities 11.1 Counterfeit Notes received back from the police authorities / courts shall be carefully preserved in the safe custody of the bank and a record thereof be maintained by the branch concerned. FNV Cell of the bank shall also maintain a branch-wise consolidated record of such Counterfeit Notes. 11.2 These Counterfeit Notes at branches shall be subjected to verification on a half-yearly basis (on 31st March and 30th September) by the Officer-in-Charge of the bank concerned. They shall be preserved for a period of three years from the date of receipt from the police authorities. 11.3 Counterfeit Notes, which are the subject matter of litigation in the court of law shall be preserved with the branch concerned for three years after conclusion of the court case. 11.4 After the preservation period, such notes shall be sent to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India with full details of the case. 612 Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Training of Staff 12.1 It is necessary to ensure that the cash handling staff in banks are fully conversant with the security features of a banknote. 12.2 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 with instructions to display them prominently at the branches for information of the public. Details of security features of the New Design banknotes of ₹2000, ₹500, ₹200, ₹100, ₹50, ₹20 and ₹10 are available at the link https://paisaboltahai.rbi.org.in. 12.3 The Controlling Offices / Training Centers shall also organise / conduct training programmes on the security features of genuine Indian banknotes for all bank personnel handling cash to enable detection of Counterfeit Notes at the point of receipt itself. These trainings shall cover detection, impounding and reporting of Counterfeit Notes. The Reserve Bank of India will provide faculty support and training materials, whenever necessary. 7Annex I Counterfeit Banknote Stamp 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 BRANCH / CURRENCY CHEST NAME OF THE BANK SIGNATURE DATE 8Annex II Acknowledgement Receipt to be Issued to the Tenderer of Counterfeit Notes Name of the Bank: 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 Denomination Parameters on which the note is note deemed as deemed as counterfeit counterfeit Total number of Counterfeit Notes: (Signature of the Tenderer) (Signature of the Counter Staff) (Official Seal) 9Annex III Consolidated Monthly Report to the Police Date: _____________ Name of the Bank: District: Name and Address of the Nodal Bank Officer: Ref. No. ………… The Inspector of Police ___________Police Station, Consolidated Report for the month of ________ Detail of Counterfeit Notes: Date of Name of Details of Denominations Security Unique detection branch / tenderer / pieces / serial features Reference currency numbers breached Number chest (URN) generated by the NCRB Portal 2. The Counterfeit Notes are enclosed for information and necessary action. 3. Kindly acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully, Authorised signatory Official Seal Encl: 10Annex IV Request for FIR to the Police Date: _____________ Name of the Bank: District: Name and Address of the Nodal Bank Officer: Ref. No. ………… The 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. Denomination / Serial Notional Details Name & Bank’s Unique Number of number of Value of address of Entry Reference pieces Counterfeit tenderer the branch No. Number Note /currency (URN) chest where generated in detection the NCRB took place Portal 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. 3. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully, Authorised Signatory Official Seal Encl: 11Annex V Particulars of Forged Note Vigilance Cell (FNVC) To RBI (TO BE FURNISHED BY E-MAIL ON 1ST APRIL EVERY YEAR) NAME ADDRESS NAME AND TELEPHONE MOBILE E-mail OF OF FNVC DESIGNATION NO (WITH NO Address THE (WITH PIN OF OFFICER- CODE). of the BANK CODE) IN-CHARGE FNVC We note to intimate immediately the changes, if any, in the particulars furnished above. Name of Authorised Official: Designation Date: NB: The completed format, in MS-Excel, shall be transmitted by e-mail. 12Annex VI Monthly Report to RBI on Counterfeit Notes Date: _______________ Name of the Bank: District: Address: Report showing the details of Counterfeit Banknotes detected in the_______________ during the month of _______________ A) Details of Counterfeit Notes detected: B) Details of FIR cases filed with police: Pending with Sent to Returned Pending with Police at the Police by the the Police at beginning of during Police the end of the the month the during month (Cumulative month the (Cumulative Total) month Total) No. of cases* where FIR was filed Total pieces of Counterfeit Notes involved in all the cases of FIR * Each FIR lodged comprises one case. Forwarded to: - 1. The General Manager/Deputy General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Issue Department, ____________ (Signature) Name & Designation of the Authorised Official Official Seal 13 Nbc a m e o f r a n c h / u r r e n c y c h e s t T y p e o f d e t e c t io n F IR (F IC N p ie c e s )N o n -F IR (F IC N p ie c e s )T o ta l P ie c e s o f b a n k n o te s p ro c e s s e d 1O 0 ld N 1 0 e w 2O 0 ld D N e n o 2 0 e w m 5O in 0 ld a tio n 5 0 N e w - w 1O is 0 0ld e D 1N e 0 0e w ta ils 2 0 in 0 p ie 5 0 0 O ld c e s 5 0 0N e w 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 p T oie tc ae l sAnnex VII Designs of Bank Notes Issued by the Reserve Bank of India since 1967 Year Size Watermark Front Back I. ₹10 notes 1967 137 x Ashoka Pillar Purple colour. Numeral 10 in the centre. Value of the note in 14 languages. 63 The oval seascape with country mm craft. 1968 -do- -do- Blue-black colour. Promise clause, guarantee -do- clause and signature printed in bilingual. RBI’s name in Hindi added. 1969 -do- -do- Blue Black colour. ‘Ten Rupees’ instead of Mahatma Gandhi’s Portrait. ‘Rupees Ten’. 1970 -do- Ashoka Pillar Hindi version of RBI incorporated in place of Bilingual seal incorporated with spinning English and vice versa. Hindi rendering of wheels. Guarantee clause, promise clause and Governor’s signature have been interchanged. सत्यमेि जयते incorporated. Watermark window and numbering panel enlarged. 1975 -do- -do- Dark brown, umber and blue colour. Numeral Pale brown, Ochre blue and green ‘10’ printed in dark brown. Intaglio printing. colour. A circle with two Peacocks Languages scroll on left and Ashoka Pillar on branch of a tree. Deer, horses, emblem on right. bird and lotus. 1992 -do- -do- Overall colour scheme in pale pink, magenta Shalimar garden and yellow 1996 -do- Portrait of Overall colour scheme in mauve brown, Intricate guilloche and floral Mahatma orange and pink. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. patterns with profiles of an Gandhi with Embedded security thread containing the elephant, rhinoceros and tiger’s multidirection words 'भारत RBI’ readable on both sides when faces. Value of note in 15 Indian al lines in the held against light. languages. watermark window. 2006 -do- The portrait of Machine readable windowed demetalised clear Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma text magnetic security thread with inscriptions the printing stage on the reverse of Gandhi, the 'Bharat' (in Hindi) and RBI which fluoresces in the banknote. multidirection yellow on both sides under UV light. (Generic). al lines, and an Width: 1.4 mm electrotype mark showing Dual coloured optical fibres. the denomination The small floral design printed both on the front al numeral 10 (hollow) and back (filled up) of the note in the appear in this middle of the vertical band next to the section and Watermark has an accurate back-to-back these can be registration so that the numeral appears as one viewed better when seen against the light. when the banknote is held against light. 2011 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to In addition, ₹ symbol was introduced on the have year of printing on the obverse of the banknote, on the top left and top reverse. In addition, ₹ symbol was right corner (along with the denominational introduced on the reverse of the numeral). banknotes, on the top left and top 14right 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 2018 123 ₹10 The base colour of the note is Chocolate The new denomination has motif mm x denomination Brown. The note has other designs, geometric of Sun Temple, Konark on the 63 banknotes in patterns aligning with the overall colour reverse, depicting the country's mm the Mahatma scheme, both at the obverse and reverse. cultural heritage. Year of printing Gandhi of the note on the left, Swachh (New) Series See through register with denominational having numeral 10 Bharat logo with slogan, Language Mahatma panel, Denominational numeral १० in Denominational numeral १० in Devnagari, Gandhi Devnagari. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre, portrait and Micro letters 'RBI', ‘भारत', ‘INDIA' and '10', electrotype Windowed demetalised security thread with (10) inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI, watermarks Guarantee Clause, Governor's signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right, Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side. II. ₹.20 notes 1972 147x Ashoka Pillar Saffron colour. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the Bold lettering in Hindi appears 63mm right and language panel on the left side. centrally in a horizontal panel, 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 colour. Dry offset printing. Red, blue and Pillar with Numerical 20 in dark mauve on a light yellow mauve colour. Chariot wheel of chain of lotus shaped design. Language scroll on the Konark Sun temple at the centre. spinning left and Ashoka Pillar emblem on right. The Watermark window in pale blue is wheels. printing bleeds off on all sides but not in surrounded by an ornamental Resin treated corners, which are paper white. Bilingual design in perfect register with paper names, clauses and signature. corresponding design on obverse of the note. 2001 -do- Mahatma The security thread totally embedded with the The central theme depicts the Gandhi letters "Bharat" (in Hindi) and "RBI" The colour Indian coastal line with coconut Portrait is predominantly reddish orange. The Ashoka grooves. The value of the note Pillar has been replaced by the Mahatma appears in 15 languages in a Gandhi's Portrait in dark red while the Ashoka vertical panel in the left hand side. 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 15identification mark by way of 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 demetalised clear Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma text magnetic security thread with inscriptions the printing stage on the reverse of Gandhi, the 'Bharat' (in Hindi) and RBI which fluoresces in the banknote. multidirection yellow on both sides under UV light (Generic). al lines, and Width: 1.4 mm an electrotype Dual coloured optical fibres. mark showing The small floral design printed both on the front the (hollow) and back (filled up) of the note in the denomination middle of the vertical band next to the al numeral 20 Watermark has an accurate back-to-back appear in this registration so that the numeral appears as one section and when seen against the light. these can be viewed better when the banknote is held against light 2012 -do- -do- -do- The banknotes will continue to have year of printing on the In addition, ₹ symbol was introduced on the reverse. In addition, ₹ symbol was obverse of the banknote, on the top left and top introduced on the reverse of the right corner (along with the denominational banknotes, on the top left and top numeral). right corner (along with the denominational numeral). 2016 -do- -do- The numerals in both the number panels will be -do- in ascending size from left to right while the first three alpha-numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size. The numeral “20”, RBI seal, Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, RBI legend, Guarantee and promise clause, Governor’s signature, Ashoka Pillar emblem which were hitherto printed in intaglio (raised printing) are now being printed in offset (without any raised printing). Further, rectangular identification mark on the left of the banknote has been removed. While there is no change in the colour at the reverse, the colour at the obverse is lighter (due to removal of intaglio printing). The vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait hitherto contained a latent image showing the denominational numeral “20”. The latent image was visible only when the banknote was held horizontally at eye level. This feature is no longer present. 162019 129x ₹20 See through register with denominational Year of printing of the note on the 63mm denomination numeral 20. Denominational numeral २० in left. Swachh Bharat logo with banknotes in Devnagari. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the slogan. Language panel. Motif of the Mahatma Ellora Caves. Denominational centre. Micro letters 'RBI', ‘भारत ', ‘INDIA' and Gandhi (New) '20'. Windowed demetalised security thread numeral २० in Devnagari. Series having with inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI. Guarantee Mahatma Clause, Governor's signature with Promise Gandhi Clause and RBI emblem towards right of portrait and Mahatma Gandhi portrait. Ashoka Pillar electrotype emblem on the right. Mahatma Gandhi portrait (20) and electrotype (20) watermarks. Number watermarks panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side. III. ₹50 notes 1975 147x Ashoka Pillar Mauve colour with hues of blue green and Mauve, brown and yellow colours. 73mm with chain of purple. Numeral 50 in dark brown. Language Parliament House at the centre. wheels. scroll on left and Ashoka Pillar emblem on Watermark window in pale mauve, right. Printing bleeds off on all sides except at surrounded by an ornamental corners. design, which is in perfect register with corresponding design on the obverse. 1981 -do- -do- Intaglio-fast blue, yellow red. Ashoka Pillar Dry offset-yellowish brown and and languages in deep violet colours, rest in body in deep purple colour. deep green and brown colours. सत्यमिे जयते Parliament House with National below Ashoka Pillar emblem. flag on top 1997 -do- Portrait of Yellow, blue and violet colour. Ashoka Pillar A panoramic view of India’s Mahatma replaced by Mahatma Gandhi Portrait in blue. Parliament House with floral Gandhi with Security thread totally embedded inside the patterns above and filigree multidirection note the letters ‘भारत’ and 'RBI’. A small black patterns on the sides. The value al lines in the solid square on the left hand side of the of the note in 15 Indian languages. window. watermark to help the visually impaired to identify the denomination of the note. 2005 -do- The portrait of Machine readable windowed demetalised clear Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma text magnetic security thread with inscriptions the printing stage on the reverse of Gandhi, the ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi) and RBI which fluoresces in the banknote. multidirection yellow on both sides under U.V.light –width 1.4 al lines, and mm. The Intaglio Printing i.e. raised prints is an more prominent in the name of the Bank in electrotype Hindi and English, the Reserve Bank Seal, mark showing guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar the Emblem on the left, RBI Governor’s signature. denominational A square in intaglio on the left of the watermark numeral 50 window with increased depth of engraving appear in this helps the visually impaired to identify the section and denomination. Optical fibres are in dual colour. these can be The small floral design printed both on the front viewed better (hollow) and back (filled up) of the banknote in when the the middle of the vertical band next to the banknote is watermark window has an accurate back-to- held against back registration so that the numeral appears light 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 on the reverse. In addition, ₹ symbol was obverse of the banknote, on the top left and top introduced on the reverse of the 17right corner (along with the denominational banknotes, on the top left and top 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 2016 -do- -do- The numeral ‘50’, RBI seal, Mahatma Gandhi’s -do- portrait, RBI legend, Guarantee and promise clause, Governor’s signature, Ashoka Pillar emblem which were hitherto printed in intaglio (raised printing) are now being printed in offset (without any raised printing). Further, square-shaped identification mark on the left of the banknote has been removed. While there is no change in the colour at the reverse, the colour at the obverse is lighter (due to removal of intaglio printing). The vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait hitherto contained a latent image showing the denominational numeral ’50’. The latent image was visible only when the banknote was held horizontally at eye level. This feature is no longer present. 2017 135 ₹50 The base colour of the note is Fluorescent Year of printing of the note on the mm x denomination Blue. left, Swachh Bharat logo with 66 banknotes in slogan, Language panel, Motif of mm the Mahatma See through register with denominational Hampi with Chariot, numeral 50, Gandhi Denominational numeral ५० in (New) Series Denominational numeral ५० in Devnagari, Devnagari. having Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre, Mahatma Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘INDIA’ and ‘50’, Gandhi Windowed demetalised security thread with portrait and inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI, electrotype Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with (50) Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right watermarks of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right, Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (50) watermarks, Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side. IV ₹100 notes 1967 157x Ashoka Pillar Blue colour. Numeral 100 appears prominently Vertical panel of 14 Indian 73mm in centre. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right. languages on left. Hirakud Dam in the background in a circular frame. 1969 -do- -do- Blue colour and promise clause, Guarantee Picture of Mahatma Gandhi in a clause and Governor's signature in bilingual. sitting posture with Sevagram 18Ashram in the background in a circular frame. 1975 -do- Ashoka Pillar Intaglio deep blue with hues of blue, brown, Intaglio deep blue and brown with spinning pink and dark green. Numeral 100 in dark blue. shade of corn, agricultural wheels. Watermark window light blue. RBI's name, operations, Tea plantation and promise clause, Guarantee clause and hydroelectric power project. Governor's signature in bilingual. Language ‘Watermark’ window is surrounded scroll on left and Ashoka Pillar emblem on by an ornamental design, which is right. Printing bleeds off on all sides except at in perfect register with similar corners. design on the obverse. 1979 -do- -do- One side intaglio blue, red and deep green, Dry-offset. Black and maroon Tints of reddish and yellowish green shade. colours. Tint design in greenish सत्यमेि जयते below Ashoka Pillar emblem. blue and brownish shades. 1996 -do- Portrait of Printed with the combination of offset and Central theme depicts a Mahatma intaglio process. overall colour is panoramic view of the Gandhi with predominantly blue, grey and green. Portrait of Kanchangunga range with floral multidirection Mahatma Gandhi. A windowed security thread patterns above and filigree al lines in the partly visible from the front but totally patterns on the sides. The value watermark embedded inside. Letters ‘भारत’ and ‘RBI’ of note appears in 15 languages window. on the left hand side. printed 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 demetalised Year of printing is incorporated at Mahatma clear text magnetic security thread with the printing stage on the reverse of Gandhi, the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi) and RBI on notes the banknote. multidirection of Rs.100 with exclusive colour shift. Colour of al lines, and the thread shall shift from green to blue when an viewed from different angles. It will fluoresce electrotype in yellow on the reverse and the text will mark showing fluoresce on the obverse under U.V.light – the width – 2 m.m. denomination The Intaglio Printing i.e. raised prints is more al numeral prominent in the name of the Bank in Hindi and 100 appear in English, the Reserve Bank Seal, guarantee this section and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on and these the left, RBI Governor’s signature. A triangle in can be intaglio on the left of the watermark window viewed better with increased depth of engraving helps the when the visually impaired to identify the denomination. banknote is Optical fibres are in dual colour. The small held against floral design printed both on the front (hollow) light. 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 on the reverse. In addition, ₹ symbol was obverse of the banknotes, on the top left and introduced on the reverse of the top right corner (along with the denominational banknotes on the top left and top numeral). 19right 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. 2018 142 ₹100 See through register with denominational Year of printing of the note on the mm× denomination numeral 100.Latent image with denominational left. Swachh Bharat logo with 66 banknotes in numeral 100. Denominational numeral १०० in slogan. Language panel. Motif of mm the Mahatma Devnagari. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the RANI KI VAV. Denominational Gandhi centre. Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘India’ and numeral १०० in Devnagari. (New) Series ‘100’. Windowed security thread with having inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI with colour shift; Mahatma Colour of the thread changes from green to Gandhi blue when the note is tilted. Guarantee Clause, portrait and Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and electrotype RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi (100) portrait. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right. watermarks Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (100) watermarks. Number panel with numerals in ascending font on the top left side and bottom right side. For visually impaired intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, raised triangular identification mark with micro-text 100, four angular bleed lines both on the right and left sides. V. ₹200 Notes – Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series 2017 146 ₹200 The base colour of the note is Bright Yellow. Motif of Sanchi Stupa on the mm × denomination The note has other designs, geometric reverse, depicting the country’s 66 banknotes in patterns aligning with the overall colour cultural heritage. mm the Mahatma scheme, both at the obverse and reverse. Year of printing of the note on the Gandhi See through register with denominational left. (New) Series numeral 200. having Swachh Bharat logo with slogan. Mahatma Latent image with denominational numeral Language panel. Gandhi 200. portrait and Denominational numeral २०० in Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari. electrotype Devnagari. (200) Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre. watermarks Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘India’ and ‘200’. Windowed security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI with colour shift. Colour of the thread changes from green to blue when the note is tilted. 20Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait. Denominational numeral with Rupee Symbol, ₹200 in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side. For visually impaired, Intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, raised Identification mark H with micro-text ₹200, four angular bleed lines with two circles in between the lines both on the right and left sides VI. ₹500 notes – Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series 2016 150 Mahatma Issued in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, The new theme is the Indian mm x Gandhi the new ₹500 banknotes are different from the heritage site Red Fort with the 66mm portrait and earlier specified bank note (SBN) series in Indian flag. electrotype colour, size, theme, location of security The year of printing “2016” and (500) features and design elements. Swachh Bharat logo is printed on watermarks The colour of the note is stone grey. the reverse. The orientation and relative position of the The 15 language panel is towards Mahatma Gandhi portrait has changed. the centre. Denominational numeral ५०० in Devnagari Denominational numeral ५०० in Devnagari The banknote also has features (intaglio printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, Five angular bleed lines on left and right side in raised print, circle with ₹500 in the right, and the identification mark) which enable the visually impaired person to identify the denomination. VII. ₹2000/- notes – Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series 2016 166 Mahatma Issued in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. Year of printing of the note on the mm x Gandhi left. The base colour of the note is magenta. The 66mm portrait and note has other designs, geometric patterns Swachh Bharat logo with slogan electrotype aligning with the overall colour scheme, both at (2000) Language panel towards the the obverse and reverse. watermarks. centre See through register with denominational Motif of Mangalayan depicting the numeral 2000. country’s first venture into interplanetary space. Latent image with denominational numeral 2000. Denominational numeral २००० in Devnagari Denominational numeral २००० in Devnagari. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre. Micro letters ‘RBI’ and ‘2000’ on the left side of the banknote. 21Windowed security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’, RBI and 2000 on banknotes with colour shift. Colour of the thread changes from green to blue when the note is tilted. Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right Denominational numeral with Rupee Symbol, ₹2000 in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (2000) watermarks. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side. For visually impaired Intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, bleed lines and identity mark Horizontal rectangle with ₹2000 in raised print on the right Seven angular bleed lines on left and right side in raised print. 22Annex VIII List of Circulars Consolidated in this Master Circular Para of SN Circular Ref. No. Date Subject Master Circular Issue of Forged Notes through 1 DCM FNVD G 16/16.01.01/2003-04 18-Dec-03 Para 6 ATM Detection of Forged Notes - 2 DCM FNVD G 31/16.01.01/2003-04 8-Apr-04 Para 4 Issue of receipt to tenderers Detection of Forged Notes - 3 DCM FNVD G 3/16.02.03/2004-05 6-Jul-04 Para 4 Issue of receipts Issue of Counterfeit Banknotes 4 DCM FNVD G 23/16.01.01/2005-06 7-Dec-05 through ATMs – Constitution of Para 6 & 8 Forged Note Vigilance Cell Detection of Counterfeit 5 DCM FNVD G 37/16.08.08/2006-07 28-Mar-06 Banknotes at ATMs of the Para 6 & 8 banks Detection of Counterfeit 6 DCM FNVD G 18/16.08.08/2006-07 1-Jun-07 Banknotes in chest remittances Para 6 received from banks Submission of quarterly report 7 DCM(FNVD)No.9664/16.01.05/2009-10 30-Jun-09 Para 2 & 3 by FNV Cell Sorting of Notes – Installation 8 DCMNo.Dir.NPD.3158/09.39.00/2009-10 19-Nov-09 Para 6 of Note Sorting Machines Sorting / Processing of Notes – DCM.No.Cir.NPD.3161/09.39.00 9 19-Nov-09 Installation of Note Sorting Para 9 (Policy)/2009-2010 Machines Detection of Counterfeit Bank 10 DCMFNVD No. 502/16.01.05/2011-12 25-Jul-11 Para 5 Notes – Revised Procedure Detection and Reporting Mechanism of Counterfeit 11 DCM(FNV)No.5063/16.02.22/2011-12 9-May-12 Para 6 Notes – Monetary Policy 2012- 13 Detection and Reporting of Counterfeit Notes – Second 12 DCMFNVD No.2165/16.21.005/2012-13 16-Nov-12 Para 6 Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2012-13 Detection of Counterfeit Notes 13 DCMFNVD No.776/16.01.05/2015-16 27-Aug-15 Para 2 - Review Detection and Impounding of 14 DCM FNVD No. 1134/16.01.05/2016-17 27-Oct-16 Para 5 Counterfeit Notes Detection and Impounding of 15 DCM (FNVD) G-7/16.01.05/17-18 15-Jan-18 Counterfeit Notes – Filing of Para 5 FIR White Label ATMs (WLAs) in 16 DPSS.CO.OD.No.1916/06.07.011/2018-19 7-Mar-2019 Para 6 India – Review of Guidelines Note Sorting Machines - 17 DCM(NPD)No.S488/18.00.14/2022-23 01-Jul-2022 Authentication and Fitness Para 9 Sorting Parameters 23