1. Indian Currency Denominations
Banknotes
| Denomination | Main Colour | Reverse Motif | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹10 | Chocolate Brown | Sun Temple, Konark | 63 × 123 mm |
| ₹20 | Greenish Yellow | Ellora Caves | 63 × 129 mm |
| ₹50 | Fluorescent Blue | Stone Chariot, Hampi | 66 × 135 mm |
| ₹100 | Lavender | Rani ki Vav | 66 × 142 mm |
| ₹200 | Bright Yellow | Sanchi Stupa | 66 × 146 mm |
| ₹500 | Stone Grey | Red Fort | 66 × 150 mm |
| ₹2,000 | Magenta | Mangalayan | 66 × 166 mm |
Important current update: The ₹2,000 note was withdrawn from circulation in 2023, but RBI stated that it continues to be legal tender. Printing of ₹2,000 notes had already stopped in 2018–19.
2. ₹10 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Chocolate Brown |
| Size | 63 × 123 mm |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Reverse | Sun Temple, Konark |
| Theme | Indian cultural heritage |
| Script | Devanagari numeral १० |
| Security Thread | Windowed security thread |
| Identification | Raised printing/features for visually impaired |
3. ₹20 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Greenish Yellow |
| Size | 63 × 129 mm |
| Reverse | Ellora Caves |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Devanagari | २० |
| Theme | Indian heritage |
4. ₹50 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Fluorescent Blue |
| Size | 66 × 135 mm |
| Reverse | Stone Chariot, Hampi |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Devanagari | ५० |
| Theme | Hampi’s cultural heritage |
The RBI introduced the new ₹50 note in the Mahatma Gandhi New Series with the Hampi Stone Chariot motif.
5. ₹100 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Lavender |
| Size | 66 × 142 mm |
| Reverse | Rani ki Vav, Patan |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Devanagari | १०० |
| Theme | Indian heritage |
6. ₹200 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Bright Yellow |
| Size | 66 × 146 mm |
| Reverse | Sanchi Stupa |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Devanagari | २०० |
| Security Thread | Colour-shifting windowed security thread |
| Identification | Raised identification mark and bleed lines |
The ₹200 note has a colour-changing ₹200 numeral and a security thread that changes from green to blue when tilted.
7. ₹500 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Stone Grey |
| Size | 66 × 150 mm |
| Reverse | Red Fort |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Devanagari | ५०० |
| Theme | Indian heritage |
| Year of introduction | 2016 |
| Special feature | Raised identification marks and bleed lines |
The new ₹500 note was introduced in the Mahatma Gandhi New Series in 2016 and has the Red Fort with the Indian flag on the reverse.
8. ₹2,000 Note
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Magenta |
| Size | 66 × 166 mm |
| Reverse | Mangalayan |
| Front | Mahatma Gandhi portrait |
| Devanagari | २००० |
| Introduced | 2016 |
| Status | Withdrawn from circulation, but remains legal tender |
The ₹2,000 note depicts Mangalayan, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, on the reverse.
9. Denomination – Colour – Motif
This is one of the most important tables for exams:
| Denomination | Colour | Reverse Motif |
|---|---|---|
| ₹10 | Chocolate Brown | Sun Temple, Konark |
| ₹20 | Greenish Yellow | Ellora Caves |
| ₹50 | Fluorescent Blue | Hampi Stone Chariot |
| ₹100 | Lavender | Rani ki Vav |
| ₹200 | Bright Yellow | Sanchi Stupa |
| ₹500 | Stone Grey | Red Fort |
| ₹2,000 | Magenta | Mangalayan |
10. Security Features of Indian Banknotes
Important security features include:
1. Watermark
Banknotes contain a Mahatma Gandhi watermark along with denomination-related electrotype features.
2. Security Thread
A windowed security thread is incorporated into the notes. In higher denominations, the thread has colour-shifting properties.
3. See-Through Register
The design/denomination printed on the front and back aligns when viewed against light.
4. Latent Image
A denomination numeral becomes visible when the note is viewed at a particular angle.
5. Micro Lettering
Small letters such as RBI, भारत, INDIA and denomination-related text are incorporated as security features.
6. Colour-Shifting Ink
On selected denominations, the denomination numeral or security thread changes colour when the note is tilted.
7. Intaglio/Raised Printing
Selected elements such as the Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem and identification marks have raised printing that can be felt by touch.
8. Bleed Lines
Raised/angular bleed lines help visually impaired persons identify denominations.
9. Fluorescence
Certain elements, including number panels and security fibres, respond under ultraviolet light.
10. Number Panels
The serial numbers are printed in a distinctive numbering pattern; RBI has also introduced ascending-size numerals in certain series.
11. Features for Visually Impaired Persons
| Denomination | Important Identification Features |
|---|---|
| ₹10 | Raised/intaglio features |
| ₹20 | Raised/intaglio features |
| ₹50 | Raised identification features |
| ₹100 | Raised identification mark + bleed lines |
| ₹200 | Raised identification mark + bleed lines |
| ₹500 | Raised identification mark + bleed lines |
| ₹2,000 | Raised identification features |
The RBI has progressively introduced raised identification marks, intaglio printing and bleed lines to help visually impaired persons identify banknotes.
12. Language Panel
Indian banknotes contain a 15-language panel on the reverse.
The language panel contains the denomination in various Indian languages.
13. Common Features on the Front
Mahatma Gandhi New Series notes generally feature:
- Mahatma Gandhi portrait
- Ashoka Pillar emblem
- RBI emblem
- RBI Governor’s signature
- Guarantee Clause
- Promise Clause
- Denomination in Devanagari
- Serial number
- Security features such as watermark, micro lettering and security thread
14. ₹1 Currency Note
The ₹1 note is different from RBI-issued banknotes.
| Feature | ₹1 Note |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Government of India |
| RBI-issued? | No |
| Denomination | ₹1 |
| Status | Legal tender |
| Signature | Secretary, Ministry of Finance |
| Colour | Pink/greenish multi-colour design in current/recent issue |
15. Coins in India
Current commonly encountered coin denominations include:
₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 and ₹20
The ₹20 coin is distinctive because it is 12-sided (dodecagonal) and does not have a circular shape.
16. Rupee Symbol
₹
The Indian Rupee symbol ₹ was formally adopted in 2010.
The symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar.
It combines elements of the Devanagari “र” and the Roman capital “R”.
The RBI incorporated the rupee symbol into banknotes and coins from 2011.
17. Important Currency History
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| First paper currency in India | Issued by private presidency banks and later standardised under government/RBI systems |
| RBI established | 1935 |
| RBI became nationalised | 1949 |
| First Republic India banknotes | 1950 |
| Mahatma Gandhi Series introduced | 1996 |
| Mahatma Gandhi New Series | 2016 |
| ₹2,000 introduced | 2016 |
| ₹200 introduced | 2017 |
| Rupee symbol adopted | 2010 |
| ₹1 note reintroduced | 2015 |