India to roll out new Rs20 banknotes: Key features explained
The new Rs20 currency notes will be identical in design to those currently in circulation
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on Saturday, May 17, 2025, that it will soon issue new Rs20 denomination banknotes under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, bearing the signature of the newly appointed RBI Governor, Sanjay Malhotra.
According to the RBI, the new Rs20 notes will be identical in design to those currently in circulation. The only change will be the updated signature of Governor Malhotra.
“The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs20 denomination Banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series bearing the signature of Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor. The design of these notes is similar in all respects to Rs20 banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series,” the RBI said in a statement.
Existing Rs20 notes remain legal tender
The central bank emphasized that all previously issued ₹20 notes, regardless of the governor's signature, will continue to be legal tender and fully valid for transactions.
“All banknotes in the denomination of Rs20 issued by the Reserve Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender,” the RBI clarified.
Issuing new banknotes with the incumbent governor’s signature is standard procedure following a leadership change at the RBI. The move does not affect the usability or value of existing currency.
Specifications of the Rs20 Banknote
Dimensions: 63 mm x 129 mm
Base Colour: Greenish Yellow
Motif on Reverse: Ellora Caves, representing India’s cultural heritage
Design Theme: India’s heritage sites
How to identify a genuine Rs20 note: 14-step guide
Obverse (Front)
See-through register with denominational numeral "20"
Denominational numeral in Devanagari script
Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the center
Microletters “भारत” and “India” near the portrait
Windowed demetalised security thread with inscriptions "भारत" and "RBI"
Guarantee Clause with RBI Governor’s signature and RBI emblem
Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype watermark (20)
Number panels in ascending font on top left and bottom right
Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right
Reverse (Back)
10. Year of printing on the left
11. Swachh Bharat logo with slogan
12. Language panel at the center
13. Illustration of the Ellora Caves
14. Denominational numeral in Devanagari script at the top right
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