New Commemorative Coins Announced by Government of India

Commemorative Coins Announced by the Government of India

1. What has the government announced?

The Government of India will release two commemorative coins:

• ₹1,000 coin to honour the 1,000th year of Emperor Rajendra Chola I’s naval expedition.
• ₹100 coin to mark the 105th birth anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya.

2. Are these coins for daily use?

No. They are commemorative legal tender, made for collectors and ceremonial use, not for regular circulation.

3. What material will be used for these coins?

Both coins will be made of pure silver.

4. What is featured on the front side of both coins?

• Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar at the centre with Satyameva Jayate inscribed below
• 'Bharat' in Devanagari on the left and 'India' in English on the right
• The ₹ symbol and respective denominations (₹1,000 or ₹100)

5. What is on the reverse side of the ₹1,000 coin?

• Portrait of Emperor Rajendra Chola I
• Inscription: “1,000 years of naval expedition of Emperor Rajendra Chola – I” in Devanagari

6. What is on the reverse side of the ₹100 coin?

• Portrait of Acharya Shri Mahapragya
• Inscription: “105th birth anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya” in both Devanagari and English

7. Who was Emperor Rajendra Chola I?

He ruled the Chola Empire from 1014 to 1044 CE, expanding the empire across South and Southeast Asia. He built the capital city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and strengthened India’s naval power and trade networks.

8. Who was Acharya Shri Mahapragya?

Acharya Mahapragya (1920–2010) was the 10th head of the Jain Shwetambar Terapanth order. He was:

• A promoter of non-violence (Ahimsa Yatra, 2001–2009, covering over 50,000 km on foot)
• Founder of Preksha Dhyan, a meditation system integrating Jain philosophy
• Originator of Jeevan Vigyan, blending science, ethics, and spirituality
• A philosopher and writer with over 300 published books
• A spiritual guide working towards interfaith dialogue, value education, and emotional transformation in youth and policymakers alike