No RBI Order to Stop Rs 500 Notes, Clarifies Government
- A viral WhatsApp message falsely claimed RBI ordered banks to stop dispensing Rs 500 notes via ATMs.
- PIB Fact Check confirmed no such RBI directive exists, Rs 500 notes remain legal tender.
- Citizens urged to ignore misinformation and verify financial updates through official sources.
The government dismissed as 'untrue' a viral WhatsApp message that falsely claimed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had instructed banks to stop dispensing Rs 500 notes through ATMs by September 30, 2025. The misleading message further alleged that 90 percent of ATMs would cease issuing Rs 500 notes by March 31, 2026, and 75 percent by September 30, 2025.
The message also warned people to start 'liquidating' their Rs 500 notes and hinted that only Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes would be available through ATMs in the near future.
Clarifying the matter, the government’s official media arm the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit confirmed that no such instructions have been issued by the RBI and that Rs 500 notes remain legal tender. The unit, in a post on social media platform X, categorically stated that the claim was entirely baseless.
"Has RBI asked banks to stop disbursing Rs 500 notes from ATMs by September 2025? A message falsely claiming exactly this is spreading on #WhatsApp. #PIBFactCheck: No such instruction has been issued by the @RBI. Rs 500 notes will continue to be legal tender", the post clarified.
The PIB Fact Check team urged citizens not to fall for such misinformation and to always verify financial claims with official sources such as RBI’s official communications or PIB’s fact-checking platforms.
This is not the first time such rumours have circulated. A similar message, also circulated via WhatsApp last month, alleged a phased withdrawal of Rs 500 notes from ATMs by 2026. That claim, too, was debunked by the PIB Fact Check unit at the time.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of exercising caution and not forwarding unverified messages, especially those related to currency or financial policies. They emphasized that misinformation regarding currency has become increasingly common and can cause unnecessary panic among the public.
Citizens are encouraged to stay informed through verified channels and refrain from spreading unconfirmed information.
