Star series banknotes are banknotes that have a star symbol between the prefix and the serial number. This symbol indicates that the note is a replacement for a defectively printed note. Defective notes can be those that have printing errors, are damaged, or are otherwise unfit for circulation.

The Star (*) symbol is an identifier inserted in the number panel of a banknote used as a replacement for defectively printed banknotes in a packet of 100 pieces of serially numbered banknotes. This replacement system was introduced to ensure the smooth circulation of currency by effectively managing banknotes with printing errors.

According to the clarification issued by the RBI, star series notes are those that have a star (*) symbol added between the prefix and the serial number. However, this makes them no different than the notes that don’t have this symbol.

So the “Star Series Notes” were introduced as a workaround to benchmark it’s procedures with international standards. Star numbered notes are issued as a replacement to the actual currency notes that are damaged during the printing process.

A ‘star series’ banknote will have an additional character, viz., a star symbol * in the number panel and will be similar in every other respect to a normal bank note and would be legal tender. Any new note packet carrying a star series note will have a band on which it will be indicated that the packet contains a star note (s).