RBI to issue Rs 20 banknotes with new features

New Delhi, Sep 14: The Reserve Bank of India today said it will shortly issue Rs 20 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi series without any inset letter in the numbering panel bearing the signature of Governor Dr Y V Reddy.

While some of the security features of the existing Mahatma Gandhi series have been retained, some have been modified and a few new security features have been added.

The salient additional, new security features of banknotes are in the sections of security thread, see-through register, electrolyte watermark and intaglio printing.

The security thread appears on the left of the Mahatma Gandhi portrait. The new banknote has a windowed demetalised clear text magnetic, 1.44mm wide security thread with inscriptions -- 'bharat' (in Hindi) and RBI. The thread fluoresces in yellow on both sides under UV light is visible as a continuous line from behind when held up against light.

In see-through register, the small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the banknote is the middle of the vertical band next to the watermark window has been replaced by the denominational numeral 20. Half of the numeral is printed on the front and half on the back. Both the printed portions have an accurate back to back registerations so that the numeral appears as one when seen against light.

In addtion to the Mahatma Gandhi watermark, the denominational numeral 20 appears alongside the Mahatma Gandhi portrait in the watermark window.

Similarly, intaglio prints (felt by touch) like portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, RBI seal, etc have been made more prominent by increasing the depth.

There is no major change on the reverse of the banknotes except the year of printing .

UNI