Know Your Currency: In-Depth Look at the ₹100 Note

Old ₹100 Note: Mahatma Gandhi Series

The earlier version of the ₹100 note was from the Mahatma Gandhi Series. This note was greenish-blue in colour and was bigger in size (157 mm × 73 mm). On the front side, it had a picture of Mahatma Gandhi and the signature of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor.

In 2012, the '₹' symbol was added to the note. Later, in 2014, the RBI decided to remove old notes printed before 2005 to bring in new and more secure notes. The deadline to exchange old notes was first March 2014, but was later extended until June 2016. These steps were taken to stop fake notes and keep only clean and safe currency in circulation.

New ₹100 Note: Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series

After demonetisation in 2016, the RBI started a new series of notes called the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. The aim was to make notes safer, smaller, and more colourful. The new ₹100 note was introduced on 19 July 2018.

This new note is lavender (light purple) in colour and smaller than the older note (142 mm × 66 mm). It is easier to carry and fits well with the new design of other notes like ₹50, ₹200, and ₹500.

Back Side Picture: Rani Ki Vav

On the back of the new ₹100 note, you will see a beautiful design of Rani Ki Vav. It is a stepwell (deep water well with stairs) built by a queen in Gujarat around the 11th century. This place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The RBI chose this image to show India’s old art, design, and the role of women in our history.

This is a way to remind us that Indian money is not just about value—it also shares our culture and pride.

How to Check If Your Note Is Real

The ₹100 note has many safety features to stop people from making fake notes. Let’s look at some simple ways to check if your note is real:

• Security Thread: A silver line runs through the note that changes colour and shows 'भारत' and 'RBI' when you tilt the note.
• Hidden Number: Near Gandhi’s photo, you can see the number '100' when you hold the note at an angle.
• Watermark: When you hold the note against light, you will see a faint picture of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Colour-Changing Ink: The number '100' on the bottom right of the front changes colour from green to blue when you tilt the note.
• Glow Under Light: Some tiny lines and the number panel glow when seen under UV (ultraviolet) light.
• Year of Printing: On the back of the note, you can see the year it was printed.
• Electrotype Watermark: Next to the Gandhi watermark, you’ll also see the number ‘100’ in watermark style.

These features help banks, shops, and even common people to check the note’s originality.

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17 Languages on One Note

India has many languages, and our currency respects that. The ₹100 note shows its value in 17 languages.

• On the front, the number '100' is written in Hindi and English.
• On the back, there is a panel that shows '100' written in 15 more languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

This shows that Indian currency is for everyone, no matter which part of the country you are from.

Helpful Features for Everyone

The ₹100 note is also designed to help visually impaired people. Some prints on the note are raised so that they can feel and identify it by touch. For example:

• Gandhi’s portrait
• RBI seal
• Identification mark

Also, the Ashoka Pillar on the front and the Swachh Bharat logo on the back are part of the note. These symbols show our national values—cleanliness and unity.

The large-size number on the back helps older people or those with low vision identify the note easily.

Why the ₹100 Note Is So Important

The ₹100 note is one of the most used notes in India. People use it for shopping, bus tickets, donations, and daily expenses. In places where digital payments are not common, this note plays a big role.

Because of its popularity, the RBI prints and supplies large numbers of ₹100 notes across the country. The new size and security features also help the RBI follow its Clean Note Policy, which means keeping only good and clean notes in circulation.

₹100 Note for Collectors

The new ₹100 note is also interesting for people who collect currency. Because it has a unique colour, size, and design, collectors find it special.

Some notes with fancy or rare serial numbers, like 000001 or 786786, are sold for a higher price among collectors. Old ₹100 notes printed before 2005, if still in good condition, are now rare and valuable for collectors.

Easy to Use and Easy to Trust

This note is trusted by everyone—from small vendors to big shops. Its medium value makes it perfect for many types of payments. Also, since it is not too big or too small in value, it is easier to use than ₹10 or ₹500 in daily life.

The note is also designed in a way that makes it easy to identify, carry, and check for safety—making it people-friendly.

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Conclusion: Know Your Money

The ₹100 note is more than just money. It tells a story about India’s culture, safety, languages, and values. It connects people in markets, offices, streets, homes, and even temples.

It shows us that currency is not just for spending, but also for learning about our country. So next time you hold a ₹100 note in your hand, look at it closely. You’ll see history, design, art, safety, and pride—all in one small piece of paper.

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