The Reserve Bank of India will shortly put into circulation banknotes in the denominations of ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 incorporating three new/revised features - (i) ascending size of numerals in the number panels, (ii) bleed lines, and (iii) enlarged identification mark.

It may be recalled that the Reserve Bank recently put into circulation ₹ 500 banknotes with numerals in ascending size in number panels but without bleed lines and enlarged identification mark. It has now added two more features to aid visually impaired in easy identification of banknotes part from securing them against counterfeiting.

The current banknotes will be without inset letter in the number panels. The notes will bear signature of Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan, Governor. The year of printing (2015) appears on the reverse. Except for these features, the overall design of ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 banknotes have been retained.

All banknotes in these denominations issued hitherto by the Reserve Bank will continue to be legal tender.

Details of New Features:

(i) Ascending size of numerals in numbering panels:

Numerals in both the numbering panels of banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alpha-numeric characters will remain constant in size.

(ii) Bleed lines:

The banknotes of ₹ 500 denomination will have five angular bleed lines in three sets of 2-1-2 lines on the obverse in both, the upper left and the right hand edge of the banknote. Similarly, ₹ 1000 banknotes will have six angular bleed lines in four sets of 1-2-2-1 lines on the obverse in both, the upper left and right hand edge of the banknotes. These will facilitate identification of these notes by visually impaired persons.

(iii) Enlarged Identification Mark:

The existing identification mark (circular-shape in ₹ 500 and diamond in ₹ 1000) near the left edge of the banknote has been enlarged.

The Reserve Bank of India is committed to continually bring about modifications in the design of banknotes with changing times.

Alpana Killawala

Principal Chief General Manager

RBI to issue Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 banknotes with new tactile features for visually impaired. The Reserve Bank of India will issue new Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 banknotes with three features: ascending size numerals in both number panels (first three alphanumeric characters unchanged); angular bleed lines on the obverse edges (5 lines in 2-1-2 for Rs. 500; 6 lines in 1-2-2-1 for Rs. 1000) to aid visually impaired persons; and an enlarged identification mark (circle for Rs. 500; diamond for Rs. 1000). Notes will bear the Governor's signature, display the year of printing on the reverse, and previously issued notes remain legal tender.