The Reserve Bank of India will issue with effect from October 9, 2000, banknotes in the denomination of Rs.1000 in the Mahatma Gandhi series bearing the Mahatma Gandhi portrait in the watermark.

The notes bear the signature of Dr. Bimal Jalan, Governor of the Reserve Bank. The length of the note is 177 mm and the width is 73 mm. The notes are printed in a combination of offset and intaglio processes.

The design, colour scheme and other salient features of these notes are:

Obverse

The overall colour scheme is generally pink (light peach colour with grey off-set background). The Mahatma Gandhi portrait is printed in grey colour, which is in contrast to the general background colour scheme. The Mahatma's portrait, numeral 1000, RBI seal, RBI legend, guarantee and promise clauses and the Governor's signature are printed by intaglio process.

An important feature introduced on these notes is that the numeral `1000' above the legend is printed in Optically Variable Ink, viz., a colour-shifting ink. The colour of the numeral `1000' appears green when the note is held flat but would change to blue when the note is held at an angle.

The note also has the other usual security features, viz., the watermark, the security thread, the latent image, as also, micro-letters.

The watermark window has the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi with light and shade effect and a readable window security thread alternately visible on the obverse but totally embedded on the reverse.

The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma's portrait. It is partly embedded and partly visible on the obverse but is totally embedded on the reverse. One can also read the inscription , 1000 and RBI in the security thread.

A see through register in the shape of lotus flower has also been incorporated in the note wherein the design of the window around the water mark on the obverse fits into the design on the reverse around the water mark.

The latent image `1000’ appears in the red vertical band behind the Mahatma's portrait. This can be seen clearly if the note is held flat at the eye level. The latent image is printed by intaglio process and can also be felt by touch.

Micro-letters containing "RBI" and "1000" appear alternately behind the Mahatma's portrait.

This note also contains a small raised feature in diamond shape on the left-hand side of the watermark window above the Ashoka Pillar inset to facilitate the visually impaired in identifying the denomination.

The numbers at the top right are printed in blue. The numbers are in red colour at the left lower portion of the note.

Reverse

The central theme of the note printed on the reverse depicts the overall development of the Indian economy. The theme is printed in three colours, viz., brown, red and black by intaglio process and can be felt by touch. A vertical panel containing the denomination of the note in 15 languages appears on the left.

Alpana Killawala
General Manager

Press Release : 2000-2001/527