Reserve Bank will soon put into circulation new banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 100 denominations of the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 with enhanced security features. The introduction of new bank notes is part of its endeavour to continually improve design and security features to deter counterfeiting activities.

The Reserve Bank will shortly issue Rs 500 denomination bank notes with three additional/revised features in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005, with inset letter ‘E’ in both the numbering panels, bearing the signature of Dr Raghuram G Rajan, Governor, RBI. RBI said these notes will have ascending size of numerals in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark, on the obverse.

It had earlier issued 500 denomination notes with the same inset letter in August with the ascending size of numerals in the number panels but without bleed lines and enlarged identification mark. Besides, RBI will also issue Rs 100 new bank notes with added features including identification marks for visually impaired persons.

Rs 100 banknotes will have a total of four angular bleed lines in two sets of two-two lines on the obverse on both the left and right-hand edge of the bank note. The central bank said that Rs 100 notes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 will have enlarged identification mark as the existing mark of a triangle near the left edge of the banknote has been enlarged. The existing banknotes of both the denominations will continue to be legal tender.