The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs.100 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi Series without inset letter in numbering panel bearing the signature of Dr. Y. V. Reddy, Governor. The new series 2005 banknotes will be of the same size and there is no change in the colour/design/images of the banknotes both at the obverse (front) and the reverse (back). All the security features have been mentioned in the earlier Press Release dated August 10, 2005, and the salient additional/new security features of the Rs.100 banknotes are as under :

See-through Register : The floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the Rs.100 banknote in the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window will have the denominational numeral 100. Half of the numeral is printed on the obverse (front) and half on the reverse (back). Both the printed portions have an accurate back to back registration so that the numeral appears as one when viewed against light.

Electrolyte Watermark : In addition to the Mahatma Gandhi watermark, the denominational numeral 100 appears alongside Mahatma Gandhi portrait in the watermark window.

Intaglio print : The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar emblem on the left, RBI Governor's signature, and identification mark for the visually impaired are printed in intaglio, i.e., in raised prints (felt by touch) and have been made more prominent by raising the depth.

Year of printing : Year of printing will appear on the reverse of the Rs.100 banknote.

Omron anti-photocopying feature : The feature appears in the form of tiny yellow circles in the right hand margin of the Rs.100 banknote.

All banknotes in the denomination of Rs.100 issued by the Reserve Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender.

Press Release: 2005-2006/246