Paper money in India is produced through a highly secure and multi-stage process, involving specialized materials and advanced printing techniques to ensure durability and prevent counterfeiting.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is responsible for the design, production, and distribution of banknotes in India. The actual printing is carried out at dedicated currency printing presses across the country.
The Specialized Banknote Paper
Unlike ordinary paper, the currency paper used in Indian banknotes is uniquely designed for resilience and security. It is primarily made from a pulp containing cotton, balsam, special dyes, and textile fibers. This specific composition, including cotton and cotton rag, gives the notes exceptional strength, ensuring they are durable and resistant to wear and tear from everyday handling. The unique properties of this paper also make it significantly harder to counterfeit compared to regular paper.
Key Stages of Banknote Production
The manufacturing of Indian currency notes involves several intricate steps, each contributing to the note's security and quality:
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Paper Manufacturing:
- High-security paper, crucial for banknotes, is produced with specific properties like precise grammage, thickness, and specialized features.
- This paper is distinct from regular paper due to its robust composition, which includes a high percentage of cotton for strength and longevity.
- Integrated security features like watermarks and security threads are often embedded during this stage.
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Designing and Engraving:
- The design of each denomination is meticulously crafted by the RBI, incorporating various artistic and security elements.
- Master plates are then engraved with intricate patterns, portraits, and numerical figures, which are essential for the intaglio printing process.
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Printing Process:
- Offset Printing: This is the first stage where the background patterns and intricate designs are printed on both sides of the note using multiple colors. This method provides the base layer of the banknote.
- Intaglio Printing: Considered the most crucial security printing method, intaglio involves printing raised designs that can be felt by touch (e.g., the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Ashoka Pillar emblem). Special color-shifting inks and micro-lettering are also applied during this stage.
- Numbering: Each banknote receives a unique serial number, often printed using specialized numbering machines to prevent duplication.
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Integration of Security Features:
- Numerous security features are incorporated throughout the printing process to make counterfeiting extremely difficult. These include:
- Watermarks: Visible when held against light.
- Security Thread: A metallic strip embedded in the paper, sometimes visible or partially visible.
- See-Through Register: Features that align perfectly when held against light.
- Latent Image: A hidden image that can only be seen when the note is held at a specific angle.
- Micro-lettering: Tiny text that is difficult to replicate.
- Optical Variable Ink (OVI): Ink that changes color when the note is tilted.
- Numerous security features are incorporated throughout the printing process to make counterfeiting extremely difficult. These include:
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Cutting and Finishing:
- Large printed sheets containing multiple banknotes are precisely cut into individual notes.
- Each note undergoes rigorous quality checks for printing accuracy, presence of all security features, and integrity.
- Defective notes are shredded and disposed of securely.
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Packaging and Distribution:
- The finished banknotes are bundled, packaged, and transported under high security to the RBI's Issue Departments and currency chests located across the country, from where they are distributed to banks.
Where is Indian Currency Printed?
India has four currency printing presses that operate under stringent security protocols:
| Press Name | Location | Operated By |
|---|---|---|
| Currency Note Press | Nashik, Maharashtra | Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) |
| Bank Note Press | Dewas, Madhya Pradesh | Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) |
| Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran | Mysuru, Karnataka | Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL), an RBI subsidiary |
| Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran | Salboni, West Bengal | Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL), an RBI subsidiary |
These presses work diligently to meet the demand for currency, ensuring the continuous supply of secure and high-quality banknotes throughout India. The entire process, from raw materials to distribution, is meticulously managed to uphold the integrity of the nation's currency system.
