Fact Check: Are ₹500 Notes Being Discontinued by March 2026? Here’s the Truth

Claim:
A message circulating on social media claims that the Indian government will discontinue ₹500 currency notes from March 2026.

Fact Check: False

What did Factcheck India Found?

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PIB Fact Check clarified that the RBI has made no announcement whatsoever regarding the discontinuation of ₹500 notes. The agency stated that the viral claim is completely false and misleading. Several posts on social media allege that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to discontinue ₹500 denomination notes by March 2026. These messages warn people to stop using or depositing ₹500 notes, creating confusion and panic.

Factcheck India confirms that:

• ₹500 notes remain legal tender
• They can be used for all transactions
• There is no deadline for their circulation

What is the RBI’s position?

The Reserve Bank of India has not issued any notification or circular announcing the withdrawal or discontinuation of ₹500 notes. Any such decision, if taken, would be officially communicated through RBI channels.

What has the government said?

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary has informed Parliament that:

• There is no plan to stop the supply or circulation of ₹500 notes
• Rumours about removing ₹500 notes from the system are baseless
• Temporary non-availability of certain denominations in ATMs does not mean discontinuation

He also clarified that ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500 notes continue to remain part of India’s currency system.

Have similar rumours surfaced before?

Yes. In the past too, false claims about the discontinuation of ₹500 notes have gone viral multiple times. On each occasion, PIB and government authorities have stepped in to debunk these rumours.

Conclusion By Factcheck India

The claim that ₹500 notes will be discontinued by March 2026 is false. There is no announcement from RBI or the Government of India supporting this claim. Citizens are advised not to believe or forward unverified messages and to rely only on official source