Questioned Document: Currency Examination, Mahatma Gandhi New Series, FICN
Published:
Questions
27
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
26 May 2026
About this mock
This mock covers the forensic examination of Indian banknotes with a focus on the Mahatma Gandhi New Series (MGNS) launched in November 2016, security printing technology including intaglio printing and its tactile signature, Optically Variable Ink (OVI) colour-shift verification, latent image detection, windowed demetalised security thread examination, and the identification of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) produced by offset printing, colour photocopying, and bleached-note methods. Questions draw on the legal framework under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 Section 178 (formerly IPC 1860 Section 489A-E) for counterfeiting offences and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 Section 39 (formerly IEA 1872 Section 45) for expert opinion admissibility.
This mock is designed for MSc and BSc Forensic Science students, UGC-NET Paper II candidates preparing for Unit IX (Questioned Documents), and investigators and forensic document examiners working on FICN cases. It is also relevant for NFSU entrance examination preparation and for candidates appearing in FACT (Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test) assessments covering currency examination and forensic law.
Topics covered:
- MGNS denominations, launch context, Rs 2000 withdrawal under Clean Note Policy
- Mahatma Gandhi Series 1996 (old series) security thread and watermark features
- Intaglio printing mechanism and forensic significance for FICN detection
- Micro-lettering examination under magnification and latent image tilt-angle test
- OVI denomination numeral colour shift (gold to green on Rs 500 MGNS)
- Windowed demetalised security thread in reflected and transmitted light
- Banknote paper: cotton-rag blend, SPM Hoshangabad (SPMCIL), BRBNMPL Mysore and Salboni
- FICN production methods: offset, photocopy, bleached-note; NCRB FICN database utility
- BNS 2023 Sections 178-182 (formerly IPC 489A-E); BSA 2023 Section 39 expert opinion
Allow 30 minutes.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 13 questions
Sharma, B.R. -- Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials, 5th Edition, Universal Law Publishing
Chapter on Questioned Documents: FICN Detection, Bleached Note Method and Offset Dot Pattern Identification
- cited in 6 questions
Reserve Bank of India -- RBI Bulletin, Currency Security Features
Official MGNS Rs 500 security feature disclosure: OVI denomination numeral colour shift specification
- cited in 2 questions
BRBNMPL (Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd) -- Official Corporate Profile
BRBNMPL establishment, presses at Mysore and Salboni; SPM Hoshangabad under SPMCIL for banknote paper
- cited in 1 question
Reserve Bank of India -- RBI Bulletin, Currency Management
RBI Press Release: Introduction of New Series Banknotes, November 2016; Official MGNS feature disclosures
- cited in 1 question
National Crime Records Bureau -- Crime in India (Annual Report)
Chapter on Fake Indian Currency Notes: FICN seizure data, production methods, and state-wise distribution
- cited in 1 question
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Chapter X: Offences Relating to Coin and Government Stamps; Section 178 (counterfeiting currency notes, formerly IPC Section 489A)
Open source - cited in 1 question
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023
Section 39: Opinions of Experts (formerly Indian Evidence Act 1872, Section 45); admissibility in questioned-document cases
Open source - cited in 1 question
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 489B: Selling, transferring, or offering counterfeit currency notes; relationship to IPC 489A-E cluster
Open source - cited in 1 question
Reserve Bank of India -- Master Direction on Currency Distribution and Exchange Scheme
RBI Press Release, May 2023: Withdrawal of Rs 2000 Denomination Banknotes; Clean Note Policy framework
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Questioned Document: Currency Examination, Mahatma Gandhi New Series, FICN mock cover?+
This mock covers the forensic examination of Indian banknotes with a focus on the Mahatma Gandhi New Series (MGNS) launched in November 2016, security printing technology including intaglio printing and its tactile signature, Optically Variable Ink (OVI) colour-shift verification, latent image detection, windowed demetalised security thread examination, and the identification of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) produced by offset printing, colour photocopying, and bleached-note methods. Questio
How many questions and how long is the test?+
27 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: hard. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Questioned Document, NET. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.