KKN Gurugram Desk | Recent social media buzz suggested that ₹500 currency notes would be discontinued by March 2026. This claim originated from a YouTube video posted by the channel ‘Capital TV’ on June 2, 2025, which rapidly gained over 500,000 views. The video alleged that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) planned to phase out ₹500 notes starting March 2025.

In response, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India issued a clear statement debunking this misinformation. Through their official social media handle, PIB Fact Check clarified:

“₹500 notes have NOT been discontinued and remain legal tender. Always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it.”

The RBI has not made any announcements regarding the discontinuation of ₹500 notes. These notes continue to be valid for all transactions across the country.

It’s worth noting that in April 2025, the RBI issued a directive to banks and White Label ATM Operators to ensure that ATMs dispense ₹100 and ₹200 denomination notes more frequently. This move aims to improve the availability of smaller denominations for daily transactions and is not indicative of any plan to withdraw ₹500 notes.

Key Takeaways:

• The claim about ₹500 notes being phased out by 2026 is false.

• The government and RBI have made no such announcements.

• ₹500 notes remain legal tender and are valid for all transactions.

• Citizens are advised to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading unverified claims.

For accurate updates on currency and financial matters, always refer to official communications from the RBI and PIB.