Mahatma Gandhi’s Portrait on Indian Currency: Origin and Evolution

Why in News?

• Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait has been a permanent feature on Indian banknotes since 1996, but his image was not used on currency immediately after Independence. 
• The portrait seen on present-day notes is based on a 1946 photograph of Gandhi taken in Delhi. 

Origin of Gandhi’s Portrait

• The portrait on Indian banknotes is a cut-out from a photograph showing Gandhi with British politician Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence in Delhi in 1946. 
• The photograph was reportedly selected because Gandhi had a suitable smiling expression. 
• The identity of the photographer and the person who shortlisted the photograph remains unknown. 
• The portrait used on the notes is a mirror image of the original cut-out. 

What Was Used Before Gandhi?

• After Independence in 1947, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initially continued issuing colonial-era notes carrying the portrait of King George VI. 
• In 1949, the design of the ₹1 note was changed and the King’s portrait was replaced by the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. 
• Gandhi was considered as a possible replacement, but the government eventually chose the Lion Capital as the national symbol. 
• The first banknotes of the Republic of India, issued in 1950 in denominations of ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 and ₹100, carried the Lion Capital as the watermark. 

Gandhi’s First Appearance on Currency

• Gandhi first appeared on Indian currency in 1969, through a special series issued to mark his 100th birth anniversary. 
• The notes showed Gandhi along with the Sevagram Ashram. 
• In 1987, Gandhi’s portrait appeared on the newly introduced ₹500 note. 

Gandhi Becomes a Permanent Feature

• By the 1990s, advances in printing, scanning and photocopying increased concerns about counterfeiting. 
• The RBI considered a human portrait more difficult to reproduce accurately than ordinary symbols or objects. 
• Gandhi was selected because of his wide national appeal. 
• In 1996, the RBI introduced the Mahatma Gandhi Series, making his portrait a permanent feature on Indian banknotes. 
• The series also introduced improved security features such as the windowed security thread, latent image and intaglio printing. 
• In 2016, the Mahatma Gandhi New Series was introduced with redesigned notes and additional security features. 

Suggestions for Other Personalities

• From time to time, suggestions have been made to feature other prominent personalities on Indian currency. 
• In 2014, names such as Rabindranath Tagore and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam were suggested. 
• In 2022, a demand was also made to feature Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on currency notes. 
• The RBI has maintained that no other personality was considered to represent the ethos of India better than Mahatma Gandhi. 

Practice Question

Q. With reference to the evolution of Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait on Indian currency notes, consider the following statements:

1. The portrait currently seen on Indian banknotes is derived from a photograph taken in Delhi in 1946, showing Gandhi with Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence. 
2. Although Gandhi was considered as a replacement for King George VI’s portrait after Independence, the Lion Capital of Ashoka was ultimately selected for the initial currency designs. 
3. Gandhi first appeared on Indian currency in 1987 with the introduction of the ₹500 note. 
4. The Mahatma Gandhi Series introduced in 1996 made Gandhi’s portrait a permanent feature on Indian banknotes and incorporated enhanced security features. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation

• The present portrait of Mahatma Gandhi is based on a 1946 photograph taken in Delhi, in which Gandhi is seen with Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence. Hence, Statement 1 is Correct. 
• After Independence, Gandhi was considered as a possible replacement for King George VI. However, the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath was ultimately selected for the early designs of independent India. Hence, Statement 2 is Correct. 
• Gandhi first appeared on Indian currency in 1969, through a special series issued to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary. His portrait appeared on the ₹500 note later, in 1987. Hence, Statement 3 is Incorrect. 
• The Mahatma Gandhi Series was introduced in 1996, making Gandhi’s portrait a permanent feature on Indian banknotes. It also incorporated security features such as the windowed security thread, latent image and intaglio printing. Hence, Statement 4 is Correct.