New ₹10 and ₹500 Notes RBI 2025: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially launched newly designed ₹10 and ₹500 banknotes, featuring the signature of Sanjay Malhotra, the new Finance Secretary. These banknotes are part of an initiative aimed at strengthening security, modernizing design, and making currency handling more efficient and accessible. With refreshed visuals, enhanced security, and improved tactile features, these notes are built to meet modern demands while preserving India’s cultural elements.
Why RBI is Refreshing the Currency Now
This update is more than just cosmetic. RBI’s decision is strategic and security-driven. The goal is to make Indian currency harder to counterfeit, introduce notes bearing the new Finance Secretary’s signature, and improve usability for visually impaired citizens. The upgrade also supports better durability and a cleaner circulation system by gradually replacing worn-out notes.
| Purpose | Reason |
|---|---|
| Security Upgrade | Combat growing risk of counterfeit notes |
| Signature Change | Reflect new Finance Secretary’s signature |
| Enhanced Durability | Introduce longer-lasting notes |
| Public Usability | Support visually impaired users with tactile features |
| Cultural Representation | Continue showcasing Indian heritage with improved clarity |
Fresh Look at the ₹10 Note: Small but Significant Changes
The redesigned ₹10 note maintains its chocolate brown tone but now features sharper print quality and improved touch recognition. Key design highlights include the Konark Sun Temple motif, Swachh Bharat logo, and numerals with better readability. A key update is the raised printing, which makes it easier for the visually challenged to identify the note.
| Feature | New ₹10 Note |
|---|---|
| Color | Deep Chocolate Brown |
| Size | 63 mm × 123 mm |
| Front Design | Gandhi portrait, RBI seal, new signature |
| Back Design | Konark Sun Temple, Swachh Bharat logo |
| Usability Upgrade | Raised print, better numeral visibility |
₹500 Note Gets a Modern Touch with Advanced Security
The ₹500 note retains its stone grey base, but now sports better contrast and clarity. With a Red Fort motif and upgraded anti-counterfeiting features like color-changing ink and micro-lettering, this note is built to resist fraud and offer enhanced tactile feedback. It also includes a visible security thread and improved ink technology that shifts color when tilted.
| Feature | New ₹500 Note |
|---|---|
| Color | Stone Grey with deeper contrast |
| Size | 66 mm × 150 mm |
| Front Design | Gandhi portrait, color-shifting ink |
| Back Design | Red Fort with flag, Swachh Bharat logo |
| Security Upgrade | Latent image, optically variable ink |
How the New Notes Compare with the Old Ones
These new notes reflect a clear shift towards technological sophistication and user-friendliness. One key visual change is the signature of Sanjay Malhotra, marking a new chapter in Indian banking history. While old notes remain legal tender, these fresh issues aim to phase out older, worn-out notes over time.
| Feature | Old ₹10 Note | New ₹10 Note | Old ₹500 Note | New ₹500 Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | Shaktikanta Das | Sanjay Malhotra | Shaktikanta Das | Sanjay Malhotra |
| Year of Issue | 2020-2023 | 2025 | 2016–2023 | 2025 |
| Security | Basic | Upgraded | Moderate | Advanced |
| Durability | Standard | Improved | Average | Enhanced |
| Tactile Features | Limited | Strong | Minimal | Strong |
Public Rollout & Tips to Identify Genuine Notes
The RBI has confirmed that older notes will remain valid and circulate alongside the new ones. However, ATMs and cash handling machines are being recalibrated for the newer versions. Meanwhile, the RBI is urging the public to stay alert and learn how to identify fake notes using simple checks such as watermark presence, raised print, and color shifts in ink.
Checklist to Identify Genuine Notes:
- Look for watermark with Mahatma Gandhi & numerals
- Check for micro-lettering with RBI and denomination
- Tilt to see color-shifting ink in ₹500 notes
- Feel for raised print on Gandhi’s portrait and denomination
- Examine serial number clarity and font consistency
FAQs
Yes, all previously issued notes remain legal tender.
No, the size of both ₹10 and ₹500 notes remains the same.
It reflects the appointment of a new Finance Secretary and marks official issuance from RBI.