CharlineDiederic at 23:05, 19 November 2025

2025-11-19T23:05:57Z

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{{Short description|Series of Indian banknotes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{for|the notes that replaced these in 2016|Mahatma Gandhi New Series}}
[[File:Indian rupees.png|thumb|right|Banknotes of denominations of ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 and ₹1000 of the Mahatma Gandhi Series]]

The '''Gandhi Series''' of banknotes are issued by the [[Reserve Bank of India]] (RBI) as the legal tender of [[Indian rupee]]. The series is so called because the obverse of the banknotes prominently display the portrait of [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Since its introduction in 1996, this series replaced all [[Lion Capital Series]] banknotes issued before 1996. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the series in 1996 with ₹10 and ₹500 banknotes.

As of 10 November 2016, the RBI issues banknotes in this series in denominations from ₹5 to ₹100. Printing of five-notes, which had stopped earlier, restarted in 2009. On 8 November 2016, the [[Indian 500 and 1000 rupee note demonetisation|₹500 and ₹1000 banknote denominations]] of this series were [[demonetised]] and the [[Mahatma Gandhi New Series|new Mahatma Gandhi Series]] of banknotes were revealed in denominations of ₹500 and ₹2000, intended to replace this series.

==Security features==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Lord Pethic-Lawrence and Mahatma Gandhi.jpg
| width1 = 200
| alt1 =
| caption1 = The obverse design of the series was based on this 1946 photograph of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and [[Lord Pethick-Lawrence]].
| image2 = Gandhi smiling R.jpg
| width2 = 120
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Details of the photograph
| footer =
}}

The following features are included in the notes.<ref>[https://www.rbi.org.in/currency/FAqs.html Reserve Bank of India Currency Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116022151/https://www.rbi.org.in/currency/faqs.html |date=2011-01-16}} 9 January 2012</ref>
* Security thread: The notes contain an embedded security thread that can be seen as a vertical straight line when held against a light source. The notes contains the words 'Bharat' in [[Devanagari]] and RBI. The ₹1000 denomination contains the number 1000 as well. Older notes, however, are not readable.
* Latent image: When held against the light at an angle of 45 degrees, an inscription of the value of the denomination is seen on the right side of Mahatma Gandhi's image.
* Microlettering: Micro-letters are used to print ''RBI'' on ₹10 notes, and the value of the denomination on other notes.
* Intaglio print:
# An intaglio (raised) shape is present on all denominations other than the ₹10 note to help the visually impaired.
## {{INR}}20-Vertical rectangle
## {{INR}}50-Square
## {{INR}}100-Triangle
## {{INR}}500-Circle
## {{INR}}1,000-Diamond
# The image of Mahatma Gandhi, [[Reserve Bank of India]] seal, clause of guarantee, Ashoka Pillar emblem and signature of the governor of the Reserve Bank of India are all intaglio prints.
* Fluorescence: The number panels are printed with fluorescent ink.
* Optical fibre: The notes have optical fibres that glow when exposed to ultra-violet light.
* Optically variable ink: Denominations of ₹500 and ₹1000 are printed with ink that changes color with the angle of placement to light.
* [[Security printing#Registration of features on both sides|See-through registration device]] – A floral design (later issues now have the corresponding denomination) printed on the front and the back of the note coincides and perfectly overlap each other when viewed against a light source.
* [[EURion constellation]] – A pattern of symbols found on the banknote helps software detect the presence of a banknote in a digital image so that it can prevent its reproduction with devices such as color photocopiers.
* Angular lines: A series of lines placed on both the left and right side of the {{INR}}100, {{INR}}500 and {{INR}}1,000 notes. They are only featured on the 2015 series notes, and are utilised to help those with visual impairments in identifying the notes.
* Novel numbering: A set of six digit serial numbers that increase in size from left to right. Issued for the 2015 and 2016 series {{INR}}20, {{INR}}50, {{INR}}100, {{INR}}500 and {{INR}}1,000 notes.

==Banknotes==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!colspan="10"|Mahatma Gandhi Series<ref name="rbi_notes">{{cite web|url=http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/ic_banknotes.aspx |title=Reserve Bank of India — Bank Notes |publisher=Rbi.org.in |access-date=5 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026095526/http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/ic_banknotes.aspx |archive-date=26 October 2011 }}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"| Image !!rowspan="2"| Value !!rowspan="2"| Dimensions (millimetres)!!rowspan="2"| Main colour !!colspan="3"| Description !!colspan="3"| Date of
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Watermark !! Issue !! Withdrawal
|-
|align="center" |[[File:5 Rupees (Obverse).jpg|x82px]]
|align="center" |[[File:5 Rupees (Reverse).jpg|x82px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 5-rupee note|₹5]] || 117 × 63 mm || Green || rowspan="7"| [[Mahatma Gandhi]] || [[Agriculture in India|Agriculture endeavour]] || rowspan="7"| Mahatma Gandhi || 2002 / 2011 || rowspan="5" | Current
|-
|align="center" |[[File:10 Rupee (Obverse) 2016.jpg|x96px]]
|align="center" |[[File:10 Rupee (Reverse) 2016.jpg|x96px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 10-rupee note|₹10]]|| 137 × 63 mm || Orange and violet || [[Indian rhinoceros]], [[Indian elephant]], and [[Bengal tiger]] || 1996 / 2017
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India P-089A 20 Rupees Gandhi 2002, obverse.jpg|x103px]]
|align="center" |[[File:India P-089A 20 Rupees Gandhi 2002, reverse.jpg|x103px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 20-rupee note|₹20]] || 147 × 63 mm || Red-orange || [[Mount Harriet National Park|Mount Harriet]] || 2001 / 2018
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India 50 INR, MG series, 2011, obverse.jpg|x103px]]
|align="center" |[[File:India 50 INR, MG series, 2011, reverse.jpg|x103px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 50-rupee note|₹50]] || 147 × 73 mm || Lilac and Violet || [[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Parliament House]] || 1997 / 2017
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India P-091m 100 Rupees 1996 XF, obverse.jpg|x110px]]
|align="center" |[[File:India P-091m 100 Rupees 1996 XF, reverse.jpg|x110px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 100-rupee note|₹100]] || 157 × 73 mm || Blue and green at centre, brown and purple at two sides || [[Kangchenjunga]]|| 1996 / 2017
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India 500 INR, MG series, 2014, obverse.jpg|x117px]]
|align="center" |[[File:India 500 INR, MG series, 2014, reverse.jpg|x117px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 500-rupee note|₹500]] || 167 × 73 mm || Orange and Yellow || [[Gyarah Murti]] || rowspan="2" | 2000 / 2016 || rowspan="2" | [[2016 Indian banknote demonetisation| 8 November 2016]]
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India 1000 INR, MG series, 2006, obverse.jpg|x124px]]
|align="center" |[[File:India 1000 INR, MG series, 2006, reverse.jpg|x124px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Indian 1000-rupee note|₹1000]] || 177 × 73 mm || Amber-Red || [[Economy of India]]
|-
| colspan="10" style="text-align:left;"|'''{{Standard banknote table notice|standard_scale=Y|BrE=Y}}'''
|}

=== Languages ===

Each banknote has its amount written in 17 languages. On the obverse, the denomination is written in [[Hindi]] and [[English language|English]]. On the reverse is a language panel which displays the denomination of the note in 15 of the 22 [[List of official languages of India|official languages of India]]. The languages are displayed in alphabetical order. Languages included on the panel are [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Kannada]], [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Malayalam]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Sanskrit]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Urdu]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
|+
! colspan="9" |Denominations in [[Languages with official status in India|union level official languages]] (At below either ends)
|-
!Language
!{{INR}}5 !!{{INR}}10 !!{{INR}}20 !!{{INR}}50 !!{{INR}}100 !!{{INR}}500 !!{{INR}}1000
|-
|[[English language|English]] ||Five rupees ||Ten rupees ||Twenty rupees ||Fifty rupees ||One hundred rupees ||Five hundred rupees ||One thousand rupees
|-
|[[Hindi]] || {{lang|hi|पाँच रुपये}} || {{lang|hi|दस रुपये}} || {{lang|hi|बीस रुपये}} || {{lang|hi|पचास रुपये}} || {{lang|hi|एक सौ रुपये}} || {{lang|hi|पांच सौ रुपये}} || {{lang|hi|एक हज़ार रुपये}}
|-
! colspan="9" |Denominations in 15 [[Languages with official status in India#Schedule|state level/other official languages]] (As seen on the language panel)
|-
| [[Assamese language|Assamese]] || {{lang|as|পাঁচ টকা}} || {{lang|as|দহ টকা}} || {{lang|as|বিছ টকা}} || {{lang|as|পঞ্চাশ টকা}} || {{lang|as|এশ টকা}} || {{lang|as|পাঁচশ টকা}} || {{lang|as|এহেজাৰ টকা}}
|-
| [[Bengali language|Bengali]] || {{lang|bn|পাঁচ টাকা}} || {{lang|bn|দশ টাকা}} || {{lang|bn|কুড়ি টাকা}} || {{lang|bn|পঞ্চাশ টাকা}} || {{lang|bn|একশ টাকা}} || {{lang|bn|পাঁচশ টাকা}} || {{lang|bn|এক হাজার টাকা}}
|-
| [[Gujarati script|Gujarati]] || {{lang|gu|પાંચ રૂપિયા}} || {{lang|gu|દસ રૂપિયા}} || {{lang|gu|વીસ રૂપિયા}} || {{lang|gu|પચાસ રૂપિયા}} || {{lang|gu|સો રૂપિયા}} || {{lang|gu|પાંચ સો રૂપિયા}} || {{lang|gu|એક હજાર રૂપિયા}}
|-
| [[Kannada]] || {{lang|kn|ಐದು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}} || {{lang|kn|ಹತ್ತು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}} || {{lang|kn|ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}} || {{lang|kn|ಐವತ್ತು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}} || {{lang|kn|ಒಂದು ನೂರು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}} || {{lang|kn|ಐದು ನೂರು ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}} || {{lang|kn|ಒಂದು ಸಾವಿರ ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು}}
|-
| [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]] || {{lang|ks|پانٛژھ رۄپیہِ}}|| {{lang|ks|دٔہ رۄپیہِ}}|| {{lang|ks|وُہ رۄپیہِ}}|| {{lang|ks|پَنٛژاہ رۄپیہِ}}|| {{lang|ks|ہَتھ رۄپیہِ}}|| {{lang|ks|پانٛژھ ہَتھ رۄپیہِ}}|| {{lang|ks|ساس رۄپیہِ}}
|-
| [[Konkani language|Konkani]] || {{lang|kok|पांच रुपया}} || {{lang|kok|धा रुपया}} || {{lang|kok|वीस रुपया}} ||{{lang|kok|पन्नास रुपया}} || {{lang|kok|शंबर रुपया}} || {{lang|kok|पाचशें रुपया}} || {{lang|kok|एक हजार रुपया}}
|-
| [[Malayalam]] || {{lang|ml|അഞ്ചു രൂപ}} || {{lang|ml|പത്തു രൂപ}} || {{lang|ml|ഇരുപതു രൂപ}} || {{lang|ml|അൻപതു രൂപ}} || {{lang|ml|നൂറു രൂപ}} || {{lang|ml|അഞ്ഞൂറു രൂപ}} || {{lang|ml|ആയിരം രൂപ}}
|-
| [[Marathi language|Marathi]] || {{lang|mr|पाच रुपये}} || {{lang|mr|दहा रुपये}} || {{lang|mr|वीस रुपये}} || {{lang|mr|पन्नास रुपये}} || {{lang|mr|शंभर रुपये}} || {{lang|mr|पाचशे रुपये}} || {{lang|mr|एक हजार रुपये}}
|-
| [[Nepali language|Nepali]] || {{lang|ne|पाँच रुपियाँ}} || {{lang|ne|दस रुपियाँ}} || {{lang|ne|बीस रुपियाँ}} || {{lang|ne|पचास रुपियाँ}} || {{lang|ne|एक सय रुपियाँ}} || {{lang|ne|पाँच सय रुपियाँ}} || {{lang|ne|एक हजार रुपियाँ}}
|-
| [[Odia language|Odia]] || {{lang|or|ପାଞ୍ଚ ଟଙ୍କା}} || {{lang|or|ଦଶ ଟଙ୍କା}} || {{lang|or|କୋଡିଏ ଟଙ୍କା}} || {{lang|or|ପଚାଶ ଟଙ୍କା}} || {{lang|or|ଏକ ଶତ ଟଙ୍କା}} || {{lang|or|ପାଞ୍ଚ ଶତ ଟଙ୍କା}} || {{lang|or|ଏକ ହଜାର ଟଙ୍କା}}
|-
| [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] || {{lang|pa|ਪੰਜ ਰੁਪਏ}} || {{lang|pa|ਦਸ ਰੁਪਏ}} || {{lang|pa|ਵੀਹ ਰੁਪਏ}} || {{lang|pa|ਪੰਜਾਹ ਰੁਪਏ}} || {{lang|pa|ਇਕ ਸੌ ਰੁਪਏ}} || {{lang|pa|ਪੰਜ ਸੌ ਰੁਪਏ}} || {{lang|pa|ਇਕ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਰੁਪਏ}}
|-
| [[Sanskrit]] ||{{lang|sa|पञ्चरूप्यकाणि}} || {{lang|sa|दशरूप्यकाणि}} || {{lang|sa|विंशती रूप्यकाणि}} || {{lang|sa|पञ्चाशत् रूप्यकाणि}} || {{lang|sa|शतं रूप्यकाणि}} || {{lang|sa|पञ्चशतं रूप्यकाणि}} || {{lang|sa|सहस्रं रूप्यकाणि}}
|-
| [[Tamil language|Tamil]] || {{lang|ta|ஐந்து ரூபாய்}} || {{lang|ta|பத்து ரூபாய்}} || {{lang|ta|இருபது ரூபாய்}} || {{lang|ta|ஐம்பது ரூபாய்}} || {{lang|ta|நூறு ரூபாய்}} || {{lang|ta|ஐந்நூறு ரூபாய்}} || {{lang|ta|ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்}}
|-
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]] || {{lang|te|ఐదు రూపాయలు}} || {{lang|te|పది రూపాయలు}} || {{lang|te|ఇరవై రూపాయలు}} || {{lang|te|ఏబది రూపాయలు}} || {{lang|te|నూరు రూపాయలు}} || {{lang|te|ఐదువందల రూపాయలు}} || {{lang|te|వెయ్యి రూపాయలు}}
|-
| [[Urdu language|Urdu]] || {{lang|ur|پانچ روپیے}}|| {{lang|ur|دس روپیے}}|| {{lang|ur|بیس روپیے}}|| {{lang|ur|پچاس روپیے}}|| {{lang|ur|سو روپیے}}|| {{lang|ur|پانچ سو روپیے}}|| {{lang|ur|ایک ہزار روپیے}}
|}

{{Portal|India|Money|Numismatics}}

==See also==
*[[Lion Capital Series]]
*[[Mahatma Gandhi New Series]]
*[[List of artistic depictions of Mahatma Gandhi]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Indian currency}}
{{Mohandas K. Gandhi}}

[[Category:Memorials to Mahatma Gandhi]]
[[Category:Banknotes of India]]
[[Category:Portraits on banknotes]]

Mahatma Gandhi Series - Revision history

CharlineDiederic at 23:05, 19 November 2025