As a part of its endeavor to continually improve design/security features of the banknotes and to deter counterfeiting activities, Reserve Bank of India recently introduced bank notes in ₹ 100, 500 and 1000 denominations with ascending size of numerals in number panels. This feature was already explained in the press releases Nos.(i) 2014-2015/2750 dated June 25, 2015, (ii) 2015-2016/343 dated August 7, 2015, (iii) 2015-2016/466 dated August 21, 2015, respectively when these notes were issued for the first time. Subsequently, banknotes in ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 denominations having two more features (in addition to the ascending size of numerals) i.e. bleed lines, and enlarged size of identification mark have also been introduced, as detailed in our press release No.2015-2016/725 dated September 22, 2015.

Reserve Bank of India will now put into circulation ₹ 100 denomination banknotes incorporating all the aforesaid three new/ revised features, namely, ascending size of numerals in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark, in addition to the existing ones, in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005. The salient highlights of the features are-

Ascending size of numerals in numbering panels:

Numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alpha-numeric characters will remain constant in size.

Bleed lines:

With a view to facilitating identification of denomination of the banknote by visually impaired persons, ₹ 100 banknotes will have a total of four angular bleed lines in two sets of 2-2 lines on the obverse on both the left and right -hand edge of the bank note.

Enlarged Identification Mark:

The existing identification mark (triangle) near the left edge of the banknote has been enlarged.

An illustration of ₹ 100 denomination banknote with these features is given below:

The instant notes will have the inset letter ‘E’ in the number panels. The notes will bear the signature of Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan, Governor. The year of printing (2015) appears on the reverse.

Needless to mention, ₹ 100 denomination banknotes with numerals in ascending size in number panels only (without bleed lines and enlarged identification mark) will remain in circulation concomitantly with the banknotes with all three features being issued now.

All the banknotes in this denomination issued hitherto by Reserve Bank of India will continue to be legal tender.

Ajit Prasad
Assistant Adviser

Press Release : 2015-2016/1733