Amid viral messages claiming otherwise, the government has confirmed that ₹500 notes with a star symbol are genuine and legal.
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Amid growing concerns on social media over ₹500 currency notes marked with a star, the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) has clarified that these banknotes are not fake and have been legally in circulation since 2016. In a post on X, the official fact-checking arm of the PIB addressed the concerns over the authenticity of these notes.
“Do you have a ₹500 note with a star symbol (*)? Are you worried it’s fake? Fret no more!” the tweet read.
The PIB confirmed that the message deeming such notes as fake is false and that star-marked ₹500 banknotes have been in circulation since December 2016.
Do you have a ₹500 note with a star symbol (*)❓
Are you worried it’s fake❓
Fret no more‼️#PIBFactCheck
✔️The message deeming such notes as fake is false!
✔️Star marked(*)₹500 banknotes have been in circulation since December 2016
🔗https://t.co/hNXwYyhhxC pic.twitter.com/Fd4tL0nEaM
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) July 31, 2025
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had earlier introduced star-marked banknotes as part of a system for replacing notes that are damaged or misprinted during the printing process. These notes carry the same security features and design as standard currency but include a star symbol in the number panel.