The Indian government has issued a nationwide alert following the increasing circulation of counterfeit ₹500 currency notes. The Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has clarified that viral social media claims about the position of the green security stripe determining a note’s authenticity are misleading and incorrect.
Over the past few weeks, several posts and videos have gone viral across platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, claiming that ₹500 notes with the green security thread closer to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait are genuine, while those with the stripe closer to the RBI Governor’s signature are fake. This misinformation has caused confusion among the public, prompting officials to intervene with facts and guidance.
What the RBI Says
In an official statement, the Reserve Bank of India dismissed the viral claims as baseless. “The design of ₹500 banknotes may have minor variations in the alignment of the security thread due to the production process. Both types of ₹500 notes, regardless of the stripe’s position, are valid and legal tender,” said an RBI spokesperson.
The RBI emphasized that the position of the green security stripe is not a reliable method to judge the authenticity of a currency note. Instead, the central bank urged citizens to rely on officially recognized security features embedded in every genuine ₹500 note.
How to Identify Genuine ₹500 Notes
To protect oneself from counterfeit notes, the RBI advises the public to check for the following features in genuine ₹500 notes:
- Mahatma Gandhi Watermark: When held against light, a watermark of Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait becomes visible on the left side of the note.
- Security Thread: A green security thread that shifts to blue when tilted is embedded in the note. The thread also carries inscriptions such as “भारत” and “RBI”.
- Raised Printing: Raised or intaglio printing can be felt by touch on Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, the Ashoka Pillar emblem, and the identification mark for the visually impaired.
- Color-Changing Ink: The numeral “500” on the bottom right of the note changes color from green to blue when the note is tilted.
- See-through Register: The numeral “500” is visible when the note is held up against light as part of a see-through register on the front and back.
- Micro-lettering: Between the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and the vertical security thread, one can find the words “RBI” and “500” written in micro letters.
The RBI has also encouraged the public to use the “MANI” mobile app (Mobile Aided Note Identifier), launched for the visually impaired, which helps users identify currency notes through audio assistance.
Spike in Fake Currency Circulation
The alert follows recent reports from law enforcement agencies in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, where large quantities of counterfeit notes were seized during raids. In many cases, the fake notes were found to have originated from cross-border smuggling operations.
An official from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), on the condition of anonymity, stated, “Counterfeit currency continues to be a tool used by anti-national elements to disrupt the economy. The public must remain vigilant and report suspicious transactions.”
Government Advisory
The Ministry of Finance has urged the public not to rely on unverified social media posts and instead refer to official RBI communication for accurate information. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected fake currency to the nearest police station or the RBI’s helpline.
In a time when misinformation spreads rapidly, authorities have stressed the need for media literacy and responsible sharing of financial information.
Source:
- Reserve Bank of India Official Website: https://www.rbi.org.in
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) Release, April 2025
- News agency inputs from ANI and PTI
