GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3521
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16th MARCH, 2018/25TH PHALGUNA SAKA, 1939
Size of New Notes
- DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
QUESTION
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the new Rs. 500 and Rs. 2,000 notes, issued from
November 2016, are smaller in size than the old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, such that the new
notes have lost the easily identifiable 10mm difference in length that previously existed between
notes of the three highest denominations, if so, the reasons behind this change;
(b) whether the Government recognises that the similarity in the sizes of the new notes to the
existing Rs. 100 note causes confusion for visually impaired citizens in distinguishing such
notes;
(c) if so, the steps taken/likely to be taken by the Government to address the same;
(d) whether the Government intends to take steps to ensure that visually impaired citizens are
not further disadvantaged by changes in Government policy in relation to currency; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a): The sizes of banknotes of Rs. 500 and Rs 2000 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New)
series is 66mm X 150 mm and 66mm X 166 mm respectively, thereby maintaining a difference
of more than 10 mm.
(b): The size of the existing 100 rupee note is 73mm X 157mm which is broader than the
banknotes issued in the new series which have a height not more than 66 mm.
(c) to (e): As size is one of the decisive features used to identify denomination of a banknote by
a totally blind person, the same has been taken into account while designing the banknote. Also
in the new series, vivid colors have been used to help the partially impaired persons to identify a
banknote. In addition, banknotes of Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2000 have additional tactile features
in the form of bleed lines and identification mark to help the visually challenged to identify the
banknote.
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Relevance
There have been numerous complaints from visually impaired people that they are unable to identify the newly issued currency notes. The new Rs. 500 and Rs. 2,000 notes, issued from November 2016, are smaller in size than the old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, such that the new notes have lost the easily identifiable 10mm difference in length that previously existed between notes of the three highest denominations. This has been denied by the Govt, even though the Delhi High Court had said the notes are not fit for visually impaired persons.
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