The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India. The modern rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular paisa) though this division is now theoretical; as of 30 June 2011, coin denominations of less than 50 paise ceased to be legal tender.
Bank notes are available in nominal values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees. Coins of the rupee are available in 1, 2, 5 and 10. Paise coins of the rupee have nominal values of 50, and lower denominations have been officially withdrawn.
The Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes are issued by the Reserve Bank of India as the legal tender of Indian rupee. As the name suggests, the series is so called because the observe of the banknotes prominently display the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Since its introduction in 1996, this series has replaced all issued banknotes.
Obverse: Mahatma Gandhi
Reverse: Parliament of India
Watermark: Mahatma Gandhi
Each banknote has its amount written in 15 languages. On the obverse side, the denomination is written in English and Hindi. On the reverse of each note is a language panel that displays the denomination of the note in 15 of the 22 official languages of India.
Many thanks to Nimisha M. from India.
