Despite various measures taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ‘to strengthen the security features and design of banknotes, circulation of fake currency notes is on a rise. To address the challenge of counterfeit notes, RBI tried to enhance public awareness through sensitization programmes across the country’, said the annual report of RBI as released on 22 August 2013.
‘Banks have been directed that notes in the denomination of 100 and above are to be processed through Note Sorting Machines (NSM) conforming to the Note Authentication and Fitness Sorting Parameters prescribed by RBI before issuing them over the counters or through ATMs. Thanks to the increased use of NSMs, bank branches detected more than 94 percent of the total detected counterfeit banknotes during 2012-13. During 2012-13, RBI detected a total of 29,200 counterfeits’, according to the annual report of RBI.
‘During 2012-13, the detection of counterfeit notes in the denomination of 1000 increased by 18.2 percent, whereas detection of counterfeit 500 and 100 notes decreased by 6.8 percent and 12.3 percent, respectively, in comparison with the previous year’
1.Watermark
The Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes contain the Mahatma Gandhi watermark with a light and shade effect and multi-directional lines in the watermark window.
2.Security Thread
Rs. 1000 notes introduced in October 2000 contain a readable, windowed security thread, alternately visible on the obverse with the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), ‘1000’ and ‘RBI’, but totally embedded on the reverse. When held against the light, the security thread on Rs. 1000 can be seen as one continuous line. The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma's portrait.
Rs. 1000 notes introduced in October 2000 contain a readable, windowed security thread, alternately visible on the obverse with the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), ‘1000’ and ‘RBI’, but totally embedded on the reverse. When held against the light, the security thread on Rs. 1000 can be seen as one continuous line. The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma's portrait.
3.Latent Image
On the obverse side of Rs. 1000, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image showing the respective denominational value in numeral. The latent image is visible only when the note is held horizontally at eye level.
On the obverse side of Rs. 1000, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image showing the respective denominational value in numeral. The latent image is visible only when the note is held horizontally at eye level.
4.Intaglio Printing
The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor's signature are printed in intaglio, i.e. in raised prints, which can be felt by touch.
The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor's signature are printed in intaglio, i.e. in raised prints, which can be felt by touch.
5.Identification Mark
A special feature in intaglio has been introduced on the left of the watermark window. This feature is in different shapes for various denominations (Rs.1000-Diamond) and helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination.
A special feature in intaglio has been introduced on the left of the watermark window. This feature is in different shapes for various denominations (Rs.1000-Diamond) and helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination.
6.Fluorescence
Number panels of the notes are printed in fluorescent ink. The notes also have optical fibres. Both can be seen when the notes are exposed to ultra-violet lamp.
Number panels of the notes are printed in fluorescent ink. The notes also have optical fibres. Both can be seen when the notes are exposed to ultra-violet lamp.
7.Optically Variable Ink
This is a new security feature incorporated in the Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes with revised colour scheme introduced in November 2000. The numeral 1000 and 500 on the obverse of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes, respectively, is printed in optically variable ink viz., a colour-shifting ink. The colour of the numeral 1000/500 appears green when the note is held flat but would change to blue when the note is held at an angle.
This is a new security feature incorporated in the Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes with revised colour scheme introduced in November 2000. The numeral 1000 and 500 on the obverse of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes, respectively, is printed in optically variable ink viz., a colour-shifting ink. The colour of the numeral 1000/500 appears green when the note is held flat but would change to blue when the note is held at an angle.
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