Fake notes in the country are gradually increasing since few days. Many people are receiving fake notes even from the ATMs. These days, we are watching many incidents that people are receiving fake notes. People who earn money by working hard are also receiving fake notes and they are unable to find out which is fake and which is original.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) time and again comes out with specific guidelines for masses through which the people can themselves check and overcome the moving problem of “What if the note was fake?” Here are nine security features that RBI embedded on every note.

1. Watermark:

Each and every note contains watermark of Mahatma Gandhi with a light and shade effect and multi-directional lines. One can see it by slanting it against the light.

2. Security thread:

Notes (Rs.1000, Rs.500, Rs.100) contain a readable, windowed security thread alternately visible on the front with the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), ‘No. of the amount’ and ‘RBI’, but totally embedded on the reverse.  The Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.20 and Rs.50 notes contain a readable, fully embedded windowed security thread. The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma’s portrait.

3. Latent Image:

On the front side of notes, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a hidden image showing the respective value in numeral. This image can be seen only when the note is placed horizontally.

4. Micro lettering:

This feature contains the word ‘RBI’ which can be seen between the vertical band and Mahatma Gandhi portrait.

5. Intaglio Printing:

The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor’s signature are printed on every note.

6. Identification mark:

On the left of the watermark window on all notes except Rs.10/- note, a symbol is printed for the visually impaired to identify the denomination (Rs. 20-Vertical Rectangle, Rs.50-Square, Rs.100-Triangle, Rs.500-Circle, Rs.1000-Diamond).

7. Fluorescence:

Numbers of the notes are printed in fluorescent ink. It can be seen when the notes are exposed to a ultra-violet lamp.

8. Optically Variable Ink:

This is the latest security feature unified in the Rs.1000 and Rs.500 notes with revised colour scheme introduced in November 2000. The colour of the numeral 1000/500 appears green when the note is held flat but changes to blue when the note is held at an angle.

9.See through Register:

The small flower design printed on the front and back of the note in the middle of the vertical band beside the Watermark has an accurate back to back registration. It resembles the number of the note.