India Rs 500 Bank Note History and Specifications

The Rs 500 bank note has a rich history in India. It was first introduced in 1949, as a part of the country's transition to a decimal system.

The note's design has undergone several changes over the years, with the first series featuring a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Later series included other notable figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

The Rs 500 note was also one of the denominations affected by the demonetization policy implemented by the Indian government in 2016. This move aimed to curb black money and increase digital transactions.

In terms of specifications, the Rs 500 note is 66 mm in length and 135 mm in width, with a thickness of 0.001 inch.

The Indian Rs 500 banknote has a fascinating history. Introduced in 1987, it was followed by the Rs 1,000 note in 2000.

The Rs 1 and Rs 2 notes were discontinued in 1995. In 1997, the Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes was introduced, replacing the earlier series.

The previous banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series were demonetized on November 8, 2016.

The Mahatma Gandhi Series is a notable part of India's currency history, and the new 500 rupee note is a significant addition to this series.

The ₹500 banknote of the Mahatma Gandhi New Series is 66mm x 150mm in size, with a Stone Grey color.

It features a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the obverse side, alongside the Ashoka Pillar Emblem, and the signature of the governor of Reserve Bank of India.

The reverse side of the note showcases a motif of the Indian heritage site of Red Fort, along with the logo and a tagline of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The note has a Braille feature to assist the visually challenged in identifying the currency.

Here are some of the security features of the Mahatma Gandhi New Series 500 rupee note:

The obverse of the India Rs 500 note is a fascinating design. The note features a multicolour grey and tan underprint with a black and dull brown print on top.

Mahatma Gandhi is prominently displayed in the centre of the note. To the right of Gandhi is the Reserve Bank seal, positioned next to the bottom of his image.

The Ashoka emblem is also visible on the right side of the note. A windowed security thread is embedded within the paper, which changes colour from green to blue when the note is tilted.

The Reserve Bank of India and the Central Government are mentioned in a text that reads: "RESERVE BANK OF INDIA GUARANTEED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT".

The reverse side of the Rs 500 note is a treasure trove of information and imagery.

The year is printed at the upper left corner, giving a glimpse into the note's issue year.

The Indian Flag is prominently displayed on the Red Fort in Delhi, a iconic symbol of India's rich history.

The note features a subtle watermark area with Gandhi's glasses, adding a touch of nostalgia and respect for the country's founding father.

The denominations are written in the panel in 15 official languages of India, reflecting the country's linguistic diversity.

The scripts used on the note include Arabic, Bengali, Devanagari, Gujarati, Kannada, Latin, Malayalam, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu, showcasing the country's multilingual heritage.

The lettering on the note reads "₹500 RESERVE BANK OF INDIA FIVE HUNDRED RUPEES ₹५००" in multiple languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

The phrase "स्वच्छ भारत" or "Clean India" is printed on the note, reflecting the government's initiative to keep the country clean.

The note also features the phrase "एक कदम स्वच्छता की ओर" or "One step towards cleanliness", emphasizing the importance of individual contributions to the country's cleanliness.

The phrase "भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक" or "Reserve Bank of India" is printed on the note, indicating the issuing authority.

The note's design is a beautiful blend of modernity and tradition, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage.

The India Rs 500 note is a significant denomination in the country's currency. It's a banknote issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is widely accepted as a form of payment.

The note features a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, on one side. This is a nod to India's rich history and cultural heritage.

The Rs 500 note has a unique security thread that glows pink under ultraviolet light, making it difficult to counterfeit. This feature is designed to prevent counterfeiting and ensure the authenticity of the note.

The note also has a watermark of Mahatma Gandhi's portrait, which can be seen when held against light. This is another security feature that helps to prevent counterfeiting.

The Rs 500 note is a widely accepted form of payment in India, and can be used to purchase goods and services at most businesses.

There's no limit on how much cash an individual can put into the bank, but withdrawals are limited to prevent the banking system from being flooded with cash.

Government guidelines allow for the exchange of 4,000 rupees, but it's unclear if this is a daily or total limit.

It's possible to exchange cash if there's a legitimate explanation for it, according to the authorities.

If you have 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes that need to be changed, you can get in touch with the BBC by emailing [email protected] or including a telephone number if you're available to talk.