Mahatma Gandhi series after Independence

Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Pethick-Lawrence.

2 October is marked as the Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday who is also known as the “Father of the Nation”. We have heard of countless struggles he put forward to give us an independent India. He along with many other freedom fighters fought for independence and to mark his achievement and this is the reason behind Gandhi's pictures are being used on currency notes in India. He was the great Indian figure who enlightened the world with the principles of truth and non-violence. The picture of Mahatma Gandhi that we see today on currency notes only came into existence since 1996. Before that year, currency notes used to have the picture of Ashoka Stambha. This photograph was taken when Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Pethick-Lawrence met each other in Viceroy House in Kolkata. Pethick-Lawrence was then the British Secretary. The picture of Gandhi was later used as portrait size image in all currency notes.

500 Denomination

In 1987, when Rs.500 note was used for the first time, watermark of Gandhi’s picture was used. Finally in 1996, Reserve Bank of India decided to make this transformation and this trademark picture of Gandhi was used in all the currencies starting from Rs.5 to Rs.1000.

Rupee 5

A design change took place during Bimal Jalan’s tenure, wherein the image of Mahatma Gandhi appeared on the right hand side of the front of the Note. The fifteen Regional Languages moved to the back of the Note into a Languages Panel. The Lion Capital moved to the bottom left of the new design and The RBI logo shifted to the right hand side of the Mahatma Gandhi portrait. The circular watermark window on both the front and back was converted into a stylized D design. An interesting feature is that the “mesh design” behind Mahatma Gandhi’s Head is actually “RBI” written in very fine print which appears as a mesh design. On the back, the rising sun and farmer ploughing a Tractor in a field was retained, in continuing with the constant emphasis on growing more food crops/grains.

Rupee 10 note

The letters "RBI" can be viewed with the help of a magnifying glass in the zone between Mahatma Gandhi potarit and the vertical band. The floral designs printed on the front and back fit into each other and appear as one when seen against light appear as one when seen against light.

20

The banknote series of 20, Number panel, Security thread and few particles (scattered in a note) will glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal and 'Bees rupiye" are printed in intaglio (raised ink), which can be felt by touch.

50

Like 10, 20 denomination, the rupees 50 note had same features. However, the government has come up with new currency note of 50.

100

The floral designs printed on the front and reverse in the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window has the denominational numeral '100'. Both the printed portions have an accurate back to back registration so that the numeral appears as one when seen against the light.

500

It was in circulation between circulation October 1997 and November 2016. However, the Modi government has banned 500 currency on November 8, 2016 to curb the menace of black money, terrorism funding.

1000

Modi government has also banned 1000 denomination currency on November 8, 2016 to curb the menace of black money, terrorism funding.

new 500

The current ₹500 banknote, in circulation since November 10, 2016, is a part of the Mahatma Gandhi New Series. The features of new 500 currency are Gurantee clause, Governor's signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem shifted towards right. The number panel with numerals growing from samll to big on the top left side and bottom right side and the Ashoka pillar emblem on the right. The new denomination has also Swachh Bharat logo with slogan and an image of Red Fort with Indian Flag.

2000

It was released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 8 November 2016 after the demonetization of ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes and has been in circulation since 10 November 2016. It is a part of the Mahatma Gandhi New Series of banknotes with a completely new design. The Indian ₹2000 rupee note is the highest currency note printed by RBI that is in active circulation, ever since the 1,000 rupee note was demonetised in November 2016.

200

New Rs. 200 notes have entered into the banking system. The Rs. 200 notes will act as a "missing link" and make it easier for people to transact in lower denomination currency, thereby bringing greater efficiency into the system. This is the fourth new note to be announced since November when the Narendra Modi government announced a ban on Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 notes to choke tax evaders. Following the demonetization of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 notes last November, the central bank had introduced Rs. 2,000 notes and new Rs. 500 notes.