Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
₹500 notes, which have the green security thread closer to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait are fake. Only those which feature the windowed security thread closer to the RBI Governor’s signature are authentic.
Fact-Check
In order to verify the authenticity of the claim, Newschecker conducted a keyword search of the words ‘₹500 notes’ ‘Fake’ and ‘security thread’.
The search result led us to an old article published on India Today website in 2016, which said that the difference in two notes was a printing mistake.
“No two variants of ₹500 notes. RBI says printing flaw due to ‘rush’,” the headline of the article reads. The article also quotes an RBI spokesperson as saying “It’s not a variant. Such a printing deficiency can happen once in a million. It is a valid legal tender and can be freely used in transactions. But if someone does not want to use it and return it to the RBI, that too can be done and we will give them full value.” Among the several differences pointed out between the two variants, was also the difference in the placement of the green security thread.
Newschecker also came across a tweet by PIB fact check from 2019 wherein the same claim was termed false.
The RBI also published a list of security features of the note which does not mention anything regarding the placement of the security thread. You can read it here.
Conclusion
The claim that RBI does not accept ₹500 notes in which the green security thread is closer to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi is counterfeit is false. The two versions have been acknowledged by the RBI as legitimate and said to have attributed this to a flaw in printing. Both notes are acceptable for transactions.
Result: False/Fabricated
Sources
Also read: No, Claims That Volodymyr Zelensky Is Related To George Soros, The American Philanthropist, Is False
If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form.
Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
