What does it mean when you find Star (*) symbol in the number Panel of a Rupees Note?

The Reserve Bank of India adopted the “STAR series” numbering system for the replacement of defectively printed banknotes in a packet of 100 pieces of serially numbered banknotes. The Star series banknotes are exactly similar to the other banknotes, but have an additional character viz., a *(star) in the number panel in the space between the prefix.

The central bank on Thursday clarified the validity of banknotes with a Star (*) symbol present on the number panel. “A banknote with a Star (*) symbol is identical to any other legal banknote, except that in the number panel, a Star (*) symbol is added between the prefix and the serial number. The Star (*) symbol is an identifier that it is a replaced/reprinted banknote”, it said.  Hence, there is no problem in accepting such Star (*) symbol notes by the public. Clarification is given because it has recently been the subject of discussions on some social media platforms, it said in the press note.

Every banknote issued by Reserve Bank of India (₹2, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500, and ₹2000), unless withdrawn from circulation, shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government, subject to provisions of sub-section (2) Section 26 of RBI Act, 1934. ₹1 notes issued by the Government of India are also Legal Tender. ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi series issued up to November 08, 2016, have ceased to be Legal Tender with effect from midnight of November 8, 2016.