Security Features

Position

Watermark

White side panel of notes has Mahatma Gandhi watermark.

Security thread

All notes have a silver or green security band with inscriptions (visible when held against light) of Bharat in Hindi and "RBI" in English.

Latent image

On notes of denominations of INR 20 and upwards, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image showing the respective denominational value numerally (visible only when the note is held horizontally at eye level).

Micro lettering

Numeral denominational value is visible under magnifying glass between security thread and latent image.

Intaglio

On notes with denominations of INR 5 and upwards the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left and the RBI Governor's signature are printed in intaglio (raised print).

Identification mark

On the left of the watermark window, different shapes are printed for various denominations

  1. INR 20: vertical rectangle,
  2. INR 50: square,
  3. INR 100: triangle,
  4. INR 500: circle,
  5. INR 1,000: diamond.

This also helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination.

Fluorescence

Number panels glow under ultraviolet light.

Optically variable ink

Notes of INR 500 and INR 1,000 denominations have their numerals printed in optically variable ink. The number appears green when the note is held flat, but changes to blue when viewed at an angle.

See-through register

Floral designs printed on the front and the back of the note coincide and perfectly overlap each other when viewed against light.

EURion constellation (Omron rings)

A pattern of symbols found on the banknote helps software detect the presence of a banknote in a digital image, preventing its reproduction with devices such as colour photocopiers.