RBI to Issue ₹10 and ₹500 Notes with Governor Sanjay Malhotra’s Signature

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday announced that it will soon issue ₹10 and ₹500 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, which will feature the signature of newly appointed RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

This marks the first issuance of these denominations under the governorship of Sanjay Malhotra, who succeeded Shaktikanta Das in December 2024 after the latter completed his extended term. Malhotra, 57, brings a fresh chapter to the RBI’s leadership, and these notes are among the first monetary instruments to bear his official endorsement.

The central bank clarified that the designs of the new ₹10 and ₹500 notes will remain unchanged compared to those currently in circulation under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. The only difference is the updated signature of the new RBI Governor, which signifies the change in office.

In addition, the RBI assured the public that existing ₹10 and ₹500 notes issued in previous years — including those bearing the signature of former governors — will continue to be legal tender. This clarification comes amidst rising public interest and occasional speculation about the validity of older currency notes after leadership changes. 

This announcement follows a similar update made by the central bank last month, when it stated that new ₹100 and ₹200 notes featuring Governor Malhotra’s signature would be released.

The issuance of these notes is a part of the RBI’s ongoing process to update currency in line with changes in leadership and ensure authenticity and public trust in Indian currency. While these updates are procedural, they often generate curiosity and excitement among collectors and the general public.

As of now, no changes are being made to the design elements, security features, or color schemes of the new notes.