The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made changes to the ₹100 currency notes, which now, citizens in the country may get themselves acquainted with the changes to avoid cash issues.
These changes, minute to the untrained eye, are important from a security as well as design perspective and it is essential that all are familiar with them when dealing with money.
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Journey of the ₹100 Note: A Brief Timeline
The poor old d 100 note, young as it is, has already had a facelift or two. Originally printed in a blue monochrome, it has been printed in its current green colour since 1950, and, since the creation of the Bank of England in 1694, its dimensions have remained unchanged.
RBI frequently changes the currency designs to make it difficult for the counterfeiters to copy the notes and keep up with the latest technology to bring better security features on the currency.
The new ₹100 note, which bears a lavender colour, is a toned-down version of the ₹100 notes issued in past. If you make or handle cash transactions – as a shopkeeper or as an individual shopper — it is crucial to grasp these nuances.
Key Security Features of the ₹100 New Note
The new ₹100 note comes with additional safety features that make it very difficult for the counterfeiter to copy it. These features include:
Microlettering and Latent Image
The most noticeable security feature may be the superior microlettering technology. If you look closely enough, you’ll see the words “भारत” and “RBI” printed in microscopic text on the security thread.
This one does not test well under magnification and is a novel approach to anticounterfeiting measures.
The latent image on the new notes shows the number denominations of “100” at an angle. It’s a subtly refined feature that sits a little more prominently and in a different part of the leaf compared to past iterations.
Watermark and See-Through Register Let’s go ahead and knock your fake printer off one of those fake pedestal of course.
The Mahatma Gandhi portrait watermark appears to be as-word not ‘issued’. When placed against a light source, the portrait is visible together with a light watermark counterfeist currency with the value numeral.
The see-through register, a feature that makes partial images on both sides of the note overlap perfectly to form the whole numeral 100 when you hold the note to light, has been moved a bit to the right from its past location.
Color-changing ink and security thread
The new notes incorporate state of the art colour-shifting ink technology on the numerals of the denomination which switches from blue to green when tilted.
Depending on perspective, the colour shifts from green to blue, giving counterfeiters an arduous time trying to re-create it correctly.
It has been slightly expanded and now flips colour from green to blue when tilted. The thread also has the words “भारत” and “RBI” inscribed on it in micro letters which can be seen under a magnifying glass.
Changes In Design That You Will Make Out
Apart from being more secure, the new ₹100 notes come with a number of changes in design, both in terms of aesthetics and utility:
Front Side Features
Mahatma Gandhi likeness is more refined with the minor lines in the face all being visible respectfully. The Devanagari denomination has also been moved for better placement in design perspective.
The signature of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India as submitting even with last two characters in two lines – in Up-right direction in the right hand portion of the note.
The Swachh Bharat logo and slogan have been moved to the bottom right of the logo for easier identification. The printing year – previously on the verso– is now discretely printed below on the front side.
Rear-Side Alterations
The reverse depicts a variant profile of Rani ki Vav, also located in Patan, Gujarat and features its distinctive spiral stairways. The art depicted has been updated with more details on architectural elements.
The sight panel, depicting the denomination in 15 languages, has been redrawn for better legibility. The general colour fade on the back has a softer lavender hue than before.
Dimensional and Material Sizes
Most of the look and feel of the note has been retained to ensure compatibility with existing bank infrastructure:
Size: 142mm × 66m (same as previous edition)
Paper type: Special, cotton based substrate with increased durability
Base colour: Lavender (tweaked the shade a bit)
Weight: about 1g (slightly lighter than the other versions)
These are dimensional harmonies that will allow the new notes to work with ATMs, counting machines and banking equipment without any need for recalibration.
Practical Implications for the General Public
For consumers, these changes mainly affect authenticating transactions. Here is a guide to using the new notes in everyday life:
Methods to verify the merchant
“Store owners and shop keepers need to become familiar with the new security features, so they can swiftly verify the notes they are handling.” Simple polarisation tests are:
Observe the note against light to see the Watermark and the See-through Register
– Tipping the note to see the colour-shifting ink effect
Tactile feel for raised print running line out effect
Illuminating features not visible to the naked eye using UV light (where applicable)
Businesses engaged in a greater volume of cash transactions may want to consider educating their staff on these verification methods to help them avoid accepting counterfeit currency.
Backwards Compatibility
Old and new ₹100 notes will remain valid, assures RBI That means people shouldn’t rush to exchange their old notes but slowly familiarize themselves with both versions.
The banks will, of course, simply phase out the older notes as they handle currency until a uniform supply of the new design exists.
Timetable and Implementation
The new notes entered circulation in phases in major metros followed by tier-two cities and finally in rural pockets.
The RBI has taken banks into confidence to ensure a smooth flow and has also initiated public awareness campaigns to inform the common people about the procedure.
The distribution strategy would be to concentrate in areas of higher cash volumes of transactions, such as commercial centers and tourist destinations, where ensuring the authenticity of currency is an urgent concern.
Why These Changes Matter
There are many good reasons for changing the currency other than keeping its design up to date. Knowing why these developments occur, however, provides necessary context for them:
Counterfeiting Deterrence
I assume the reason for updating currency regularly has to do with counterfeiters. With the progress of technology, so grows the ability of counterfeiters to create counterfeit money.
Such security features are also regularly updated by the RBI, which keeps the process of duplicating them more difficult and expensive for counterfeiters.
Economic Security
Currency you can trust is a pillar of economic stability. By keeping the standards of physical currency high, the RBI boosts the confidence in the rupee as a medium of exchange.
That confidence is the foundation of commercial activity in every corner of the market.
Technological Integration
There are more and more modern banknotes including features enabling interfacing with a digital verification system.
These improvements allow for hand and non-hand authentication and can be used to mitigate between physical currency and electronic financial structure.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some people have questions when a new note design is introduced. And here are explanations to some of the most common complaints:
Will old notes be accepted?
Yes, old ₹100 currency notes are still legal tender. Both the old and new designs will circulate concurrently as the old version naturally filters out through the process of normal handling in the banking system.
Does Cycling Need to Be Exchanged?
There is no formal procedure for exchange. While old notes can be used to make transactions and deposited in bank accounts as before, they are not being issued as cash withdrawals from banks.
The movement from one version of notes to the next would happen naturally as part of the normal banking process.
How can real notes be distinguished from counterfeits?
People are encouraged to become familiar with the security components listed above. If you are not sure, compare a suspicious note with a genuine note that you know is valid.
Banking establishments have the option to check dubious notes on demand.
The Future Of Indian Currency
Such changes in the ₹100 notes form part of the RBI’s overall agenda for currency management.
As India becomes more and more developed, you can also expect to see some changes (but not phase-outs) in physical currency even as digital payment systems flourish.
The mix of cash and digital transactions evolves as both have their place in India’s heterogeneous economy.
Credit Despite the trend toward digital payments in urban regions, physical cash remains essential in rural areas and for small transactions through out the country:
Staying Updated as Currency Develops
The new features on the ₹100 note are emblematic of movable barriers which are characteristics of currency in a contemporary economy. Keep tabs on these changes and you help the security and efficiency of your country’s financial system.
No matter whether you are a student, professional, merchant or retiree, when you know more about the kind of currency you use on a regular basis, you are exercising your financial literacy, and you can avoid being scammed.
This RBI’s dedication for periodically changing currency designs, with security features, is for ensuring safe and secure monetary system to each Indian.
Now, as you come across these new notes in your daily transactions, pause for a moment to admire the combination of artistry, technology and security that goes into designing the currency that fuels the economy.
The lowly ₹100 note, as small as it is in physical size, is a giant in our commercial existence and popular culture.
