Corruption is a huge problem in India, at every level of government. The zero rupee note, in use since 2007, is a clever attempt to combat this grave issue in the face of legislative inaction. Printed by an Indian NGO called 5th pillar, zero rupee notes are passed out for free to ordinary citizens, who are instructed to give them to government officials when asked for a bribe.
The note appears to be a standard, 50 rupee note at first glance, imitating the real note's pink color and iconic image of Mahatma Gandhi. However, upon closer inspection, the zero rupee note has a printed face value of "zero rupees" as well as various anti-corruption slogans. To avoid being subject to counterfeit laws, the back side of the note is plain white, with further information about the zero rupee campaign.