Here is what the list of revised banknotes: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has unveiled fresh looks notes of Rs 10 and Rs 500 featuring new designs under Mahatma Gandhi (New) series (old notes will continue to be valid).
The note release is part of the Reserve Bank’s regular currency cycle which has seen more durable, secure and cost-effective banknotes in recent years, and a process of rolling over the design of banknotes to ensure they remain contemporary and secure while continuing to carry a strong message about Australia.
The announcement also comes after a similar notification was issued last month about new ₹100 and ₹200 notes.
Signature Change: The Key Change
The only major difference in the new banknotes will be the signature of the new RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra became the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in December, 2024.
Malhotra succeeded Shaktikanta Das, after his extended tenure, and the latter’s signature has been imprinted on the Indian currency notes, as is the norm when a central bank chief changes.
“The design of these notes to be issued now is similar in all respects to those ₹10 and ₹500 notes in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, which were notified on the 10th September 2019,” the RBI said in its press release, clarifying that besides the different signatures, all other features of the notes including their dimension and security features are the same.
Continuity of Legal Tender
The RBI also made it clear that notes already in circulation in denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 can still be used in the system. Including whom to sign, the closing line does not affect the daily transactions between civilians and does not need to exchange money, which still exists in exchange lineless notes signed by real governors.
This continued validity stabilises the currency in the moment when new notes are gradually being introduced.
The central bank’s strategy is in line with normal practice at leadership changes, where notes with fresh signatures are gradually introduced into circulation while old notes continue to be in use for all transactions.
This mechanism avoids possible panic or confusion in the financial system when immediate exchanges are desired.
The ₹500 Isn’t ChangingIts Specs Though
Design of ₹500 banknote in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series to remain same The base colour of the note is stone grey in which the predominant new theme is the Red Fort with Indian flag on the reverse side of the note.
These 66mm x 150mm notes include several security features designed to protect the public and institutions from counterfeiting.
Key security aspects of the ₹500 note are:
Transparent register to denominational number
Colour-shifting security thread (green to blue when tilted)
Ref: Block building Printing mahatma gandhi portrait with raised intaglio -Variants of gandhi picture against various Heritage Monuments.
Microprinting and hidden image features
Effect Color-changing ink denomination numeral (green to blue)
Ashoka Pillar emblem
Numerous watermark features
These high-tech anti-counterfeiting features make the notes hard to copy and include easy-to-notice check points to help the public verify their money is real.
Taks of ₹10 Note Is Retained
The notes in ₹10 denomination will continue to have the same design and other characteristics as was in existing notes in ₹10 denomination with the signature of the Governor.
These notes have a chocolate brown base colour and depict the Sun Temple of Konark on the reverse, the epitome of India’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Although the denominations are lower than their counterparts, these notes are outfitted with numerous security features symmetric to the circulation and habits of consumers who frequently use them.
The uniform design serves to keep the public best informed about the currency by eliminating features that would provide an undue incentive to counterfeit versus socioeconomic changes, and has a familiar appearance, without creating wasteful work for respective design program participants, and retains up-to-date the authorizing signature.
As Part of Wider Revamp of Currency
This is one part of a larger series of currency revisions initiated by the RBI during the tenure of Governor Malhotra.
Earlier last month, the central bank announced its plans to introduce a new batch of ₹100 and ₹200 notes, which would also have the new Governor’s new signature.
A formal rewrite of all currency denominations is standard operating procedure for a new set of leaders at the central bank.
The RBI has also launched new ₹50 notes, complete with new security features, as part of the overall revamp of India’s currency notes.
By these adjusted updates new notes are integrated in a slow manner in circulation and system stability is permanently actuated.
Security features that are hard to counterfeit have been provided as above.
Although the design continuity is interesting, the RBI’s banknote updates have always been accompanied by a refining of security features to deter counterfeiters.
The Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series of banknote has been designed following a theme of “Indian heritage Sites”. This series also had advanced security features, so that the common man can easily recognize it.
Some of the security features of modern Indian banknotes are:
Optical Variable Ink that shifts colour when viewed from different angles
Security thread papers with windowed threads having color shift properties
Visible watermarks when held to light
Micro printing which can be seen with help of a magnifying glass
Raised printing you can feel by touch – Intaglio printing
Image elements are not visible at an angle or in perspective (depending on the quality of the image)
UV-responsive fluoroscent features
These are multiple levels of security which make our currency system a resilient one, contributing to the public’s faith in the domestic money.
Dissemination of Information on Notes
Similar to earlier currency changes, the RBI will also launch a public awareness campaign to educate Indians on the design, look and key security features of the new banknotes.
These informative initiatives also facilitate a smooth transition to the new currency and assist members of the public in identifying genuine banknotes.
On its website AND through various platforms in the media, the RBI contains alert notices releated to the security features of its notes, For the alert citizens of the country to recognise the real and the fake notes. Banks too are trained to authenticate currency notes and serve as another line of defense against fake notes.
Slow Introduction into the Stream of Commerce
The new notes will be issued one by one as deposits are made through bank counters. This stages process permits a smooth and conducive change-over, not a sudden replacement of existing notes that would disturb the normal course of business and cause an increased drain on the currency supply.
Like past currency upgrades it is anticipated that the new notes will initially be seen in larger cities and then gradually make there way to smaller cities an rural areas as the banking channels slowly distribute them.
The typical gradual roll out of such a standard would allow banks to adequately train staff on such small changes while maintaining uninterrupted service.
RBI Update : Stable Evolution
New ₹10 and ₹500 notes are a natural progression in currency regime of India and not a disruptive change. With new Authorisation signature and a possibility of new security features, the RBI is able to achieve two objectives of reflecting leadership changes and increasing security features of the currency.
For ordinary people, the change does not make much of a difference – new and old notes are used interchangeably, with equal value in all transactions.
This is an accelerating demonstration of the central bank’s resolve to ensure the stability of money, while advancing the process of the modernization of the country’s currency in line with institutional needs and the application of improved security features.
When these new notes are introduced over the next few months, they will be part of the familiar landscape of India’s economy, bearing the signature of Governor Malhotra, while inheriting the design language and security features of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series that continues to be the denomination banknotes of the currency system.