After demonetization, RBI introduced ₹2000 and ₹500 notes under the new Mahatma Gandhi series with advanced security features. These notes differ from the old high-denomination ones, though some misinformation also circulated on social media following the devaluation of old ₹500 and ₹1000 notes.
For example, there were rumors on social media about chips being embedded into the new currency notes, which was later dispelled by RBI in an official statement. This article intends to highlight the prime features of the newfangled currency which would solve some of the common queries of the public. Here's everything you need to know about the freshly minted Rs.500 and Rs.2000 notes.
Front face
Reverse face
The Rs.2000 note also has features for visually impaired with a raised print of Rs.2000 on the right and seven bleed lines.
Front face
Rear face
The features for visually impaired include a raised print of Rs.500 on the right and five bleed lines.
Each of the new currency notes has denominations written in 17 languages. On the front side, it is written in Hindi on the top while on the reverse it's written in English. The other 15 regional languages are printed in the language panel on the reverse side of the currency note. The language panel has denominations printed in the following languages from top to bottom: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the nation's central bank, is mandated by the Reserve Bank of India Act of 1934 to issue fresh banknotes and coins. In collaboration with the Union Government, the RBI's Central Board develops the form, design, and material of the new Indian currency notes.
Besides Hindi, which is prominently displayed in the note's centre and English on the reverse, there are 15 other languages listed in the language panel.
The government announced demonetisation to reduce the threat of counterfeit currency notes and to encourage people to switch to digital transactions. The new Indian currency notes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series were implemented by the RBI in November 2016. The RBI first introduced new banknotes with denominations of 500 and 2,000 before introducing additional new currency notes.
According to Section 33 of the RBI Act, 1934, all banknotes issued by the RBI are backed by assets like gold, government securities, and foreign currency assets.
The new as well as old design notes are usually circulated together for some time. When the old design notes can no longer be issued, they are gradually taken out of circulation.
The new Rs.500 banknote was one of the first new currency notes issued by the Reserve Bank of India following the demonetisation in November 2016. This note is 150mm x 66mm in size and is stone grey in colour. The back features the 'Red Fort' motif and the RBI Governor's signature.
The new Rs.2,000 banknote is magenta in colour and measures 166mm x 66mm in size. On the back, there is the RBI Governor's signature and the 'Mangalyaan' motif, which represents the first successful venture of India into the interplanetary domain.
India currently issues banknotes in the following denominations: Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.500, and Rs.2,000.
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