New Delhi: In a landmark moment for India’s numismatic history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, launched a special commemorative ₹100 coin to celebrate the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The unveiling, which took place at a grand ceremony at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, is historic as it marks the first time an image of ‘Bharat Mata’ has been featured on the currency of independent India.
The Prime Minister was joined by several dignitaries, including Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, for the event.
Unique Features and Symbolism of the Coin
The commemorative coin is not merely currency but a symbol of art and ideology, with its design elements carrying deep significance:
- Obverse: The front face of the coin features India’s National Emblem, the Lion Capital of Ashoka, with the motto “Satyameva Jayate” inscribed below it.
- Reverse: The reverse side is what makes the coin historic. It is dominated by a majestic depiction of ‘Bharat Mata’ seated on a lion in the ‘Varad Mudra’ (a gesture of granting blessings). In front of her, RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) in their traditional attire are shown bowing in reverence.
- Special Inscription: The coin also bears the RSS motto in Devanagari script: “राष्ट्राय स्वाहा, इदं राष्ट्राय इदं न मम” (Rashtray Swaha, Idam Rashtriya, Idam Na Mama), which translates to “Everything is dedicated to the nation, everything is the nation’s, nothing is mine.”
Prime Minister’s Address: Honouring a Century of Service
In his address following the launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the moment as one of “immense pride and historical significance.” He stated, “It is the good fortune of our generation of swayamsevaks that we get to witness this grand occasion of the RSS’s centenary. For the first time in the history of independent India, the image of Bharat Mata is gracing our currency. This coin is a tribute to the 100-year journey of the Sangh, marked by selfless service, sacrifice, and discipline in nation-building.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted that the branches (shakhas) of the RSS are crucibles for character development, where a volunteer journeys from ‘I’ to ‘We’.
A Collector’s Legacy, Not for Circulation
Issued by the Ministry of Finance, this coin is not intended for general circulation. It is a non-circulating commemorative coin, designed specifically for collectors and citizens who wish to preserve the memory of this historic occasion. It will be available for purchase at a premium from the India Government Mint.
Alongside the coin, a special postage stamp was also released, depicting RSS volunteers participating in the 1963 Republic Day Parade. Together, the coin and the stamp commemorate the century-long journey of the RSS and its contribution to India’s socio-cultural fabric.
