MUMBAI, Dec 9: The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) will shortly issue Rs 500 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, without any inset letter, bearing signature of Dr. Urjit R. Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, and the year of printing ‘2016’ printed on the reverse of the banknote. The design of these notes to be issued now is similar in all respects to the Rs 500 banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series which was notified through Press Release : 2016-2017/1146 dated November 08, 2016. All Rs 500 bank notes issued earlier in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series will continue to be legal tender. (UNI)