How to Identify Genuine Indian Currency Notes: RBI Security Features to Spot Fake Rs. 50 and Rs. 100 Notes

Oftentimes we see that a lot of counterfeit currency is circulating in the market, so it is important to know how to identify genuine Indian currency notes.

The Reserve Bank of India has brought multiple advanced security features in the new Mahatma Gandhi Series banknotes to help the public distinguish between genuine notes from fake ones. People can follow the simple “See, Tilt and Feel” method which is recommended by the RBI, to verify the authenticity of Rs.50 and Rs. 100 notes.

How to Check if a Rs. 50 Note is Genuine?

According to the RBI, the Rs. 50 note in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series comes with the following security features as per the RBI

-The Base colour of the Rs. 50 note is Fluorescent Blue which is of 66 mm × 135 mm dimension.

-There is a See-through register with the denomination numeral “50” engraved on the note the Denominational numeral ‘५०’ printed is in Devanagari

-The Mahatma Gandhi portrait at the centre
-There is a Micro lettering reading “RBI”, “भारत”, “INDIA” and “50”
-There is also Windowed demetalised security thread which is a thin polymer metal strip woven into paper with inscriptions like “भारत” and “RBI”
-A Mahatma Gandhi watermark along with an electrotype “50” watermark is also present
-Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right side
-The Number panels with numerals increasing in size from left to right
-The year of printing on the reverse
-A Swachh Bharat logo with slogan and a Language panel on the back side
-Another major Hampi with Chariot motif on the reverse depicting India’s cultural heritage.

How to Identify a Genuine Rs. 100 Note?

The Rs.100 Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series note has the following security features as per RBI:

-The Base colour of the note is Lavender with 66 mm × 142 mm dimension
-A See-through register with denomination numeral “100”
-Denominational numeral ‘१००’ is written in Devanagari
-A Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre
-the Micro lettering containing “RBI”, “भारत”, “INDIA” and “100”
-Colour-shifting security thread with inscriptions “भारत” and “RBI” that changes from green to blue when the note is tilted
There is a Mahatma Gandhi watermark and electrotype “100” watermark with an Ashoka Pillar emblem
-For the Visullia impaired person there is also a raised printing called intaglio on the portrait, RBI seal, identification mark and bleed lines to help visually impaired persons.

-There is a number panels with ascending-size numerals
-Other components of the note include, year of printing, the swachh Bharat logo and the Language panel
-The main Motif of the note Rani ki Vav on the reverse.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspected Fake Note

If you suspect that a currency note is counterfeit you can do the following:

• Do not attempt to circulate or use it.
• Visit the nearest bank branch for verification.
• Banks follow RBI guidelines for handling suspected counterfeit notes.
• You can also refer to RBI’s official Paisa Bolta Hai initiative for information on banknote security features.