The introduction of counterfeit currency into the market results in financial losses not only for individuals but also for multiple stakeholders. In this context, it is accurate to liken counterfeit notes to termites that undermine not just individual finances but the broader economic framework of the nation. The Indian currency system includes denominations ranging from Rs. 10 to Rs. 500, with the Rs. 100 note being the most frequently utilized. This denomination is often withdrawn from wallets to meet various daily expenses. However, it is noteworthy that the majority of counterfeit notes currently in circulation are Rs. 100 notes.

Consider a scenario where you visit a market and hand over a Rs. 500 note to a vendor in exchange for vegetables. If the vendor returns a Rs. 100 note that is counterfeit, you would incur a direct financial loss. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit currency. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has provided specific guidelines to assist in this identification process.

According to the RBI, a legitimate Rs. 100 note features a floral design adjacent to the vertical band, which aligns precisely with the watermark. Additionally, it displays an image of Mahatma Gandhi along with the numeral ‘100’ in the watermark area, serving as a hallmark of authenticity.

The security thread is another distinguishing feature of a genuine Rs. 100 note. This thread is inscribed with the words ‘India’ and ‘RBI’ and is designed to exhibit a color shift from blue to green when viewed from various angles. The ability of the security thread to change color is indicative of a genuine note.

Furthermore, the authentic Rs. 100 note contains the inscriptions ‘100’ and ‘RBI’ positioned between the vertical band and the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. The fixed placement of these elements aids in differentiating real notes from counterfeit ones.

Counterfeit notes typically exhibit inferior paper quality, leading to deterioration or discoloration upon folding. Additionally, the paper used for counterfeit notes is generally thinner than that of genuine notes.

It is also essential to scrutinize the spelling and handwriting present on the note.