Photo : iStock
Social media platforms are buzzing with speculations that ₹500 currency notes will be phased out by March 2026. The rumour, sparked by a YouTube video and a tweet, has led to confusion and concern among the masses. However, no such announcement has been made as of now.
The fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has stepped in to clarify the situation. In an X post, PIB confirmed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not made any such announcement, and that ₹500 notes remain legal tender.
“Is the ₹500 note set to be phased out by 2026? 🤔A #YouTube video on the YT Channel ‘CAPITAL TV’ (capitaltvind) falsely claims that the RBI will discontinue the circulation of ₹500 notes by March 2026,’ the PIB Fact-Check posted on X.
It said, “✔️@RBI has made NO such announcement. ✔️₹500 notes have NOT been discontinued and remain legal tender.🚨 Don’t fall for such misinformation. Always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it!”
Is the ₹500 note set to be phased out by 2026? 🤔
A #YouTube video on the YT Channel ‘CAPITAL TV’ (capitaltvind) falsely claims that the RBI will discontinue the circulation of ₹500 notes by March 2026.#PIBFactCheck
✔️@RBI has made NO such announcement.
✔️₹500 notes have… pic.twitter.com/NeJdcc72z2
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 3, 2025
Further, a man, claiming to be a Chartered Accountant (CA), had also said that the RBI has instructed all banks to stop dispensing Rs 500 banknotes from ATMs by September 30. He claimed that the final aim is to reduce the “circulation of Rs 500 banknotes from all bank ATMs by 75% initially, and then by 90% by March 31, 2026.” “Going forward, ATMs will only dispense Rs 200 and Rs 100 notes,” he had said.
What RBI Said on Rs 100, Rs 200 Notes?
RBI Withdraws Rs 2000 Note