The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs 100/- denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi Series with inset letter 'R' in numbering panel bearing the signature of Dr. Y.V. Reddy, Governor. The new series 2005 banknotes will remain the same size and there is no change in the images/design of the banknotes both at the back and front. While some of the security features of the existing Mahatma Gandhi series have been retained, some have been modified and a few new security features have been added.

The salient additional security features of banknotes are as under:

See-through Register: The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the banknote in the middle of the vertical band next to the Watermark window has been replaced by the denominational numeral 100. Half of the numeral is printed on the front and half on the back. Both the printed portions have an accurate back to back registration so that the numeral appears as one when seen against the light.

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

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 printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, (felt by touch), have been made more prominent by raising the intaglio print.

There is no major change on the reverse of the banknote except the following:

Year of printing: Year of printing appears on the reverse of the banknote.

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

All notes in the denomination of Rs.100/- issued by the Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender.