RBI to introduce Star series notes

New Delhi, May 9: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today announced that it will adopt the Star series of numbering system for replacement of the defectively printed banknotes.

The Star series notes will be issued in lower denominations, like Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50. These notes will look exactly like the existing notes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series but will have an additional character, * (star), in the number panel.

Presently, the RBI issues fresh banknote packets containing 100 serially numbered banknotes. Each banknote bears a distintive serial number along with a prefix. The prefix consists of the numeral and a letter/letters followed by a serial number.

In a serially numbered packet, banknotes with any defect at the printing stage, are replaced at the note printing presses by banknotes having the same number so that the sequence of the packet is maintained.

Packets with star series notes will have 100 pieces but not in serial order.

The star series notes will be legal tender and members of public may freely accept and use these notes.

UNI