RBI Currency Update 2026: Are ₹500 notes going to be banned? Know the new safety rules of 2026 and the whole truth of viral claims

News India Live, Digital Desk: For the last few days, a message is becoming increasingly viral on social media and WhatsApp in which it is being claimed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will stop the circulation of ₹ 500 notes by March 2026. This news has created huge confusion among the general public. However, the government and PIB Fact Check have termed these claims as completely fake. Know here what are the real instructions of RBI and what are the new updates regarding the security of the notes held with you: Social media claim vs reality Claim: “RBI will demonetize ₹ 500 notes after March 2026 and their withdrawal from ATMs will stop.” Reality: Central government and RBI have made it clear. Have said that there is no such plan. ₹500 and ₹100 notes will remain completely legal tender. RBI has advised citizens not to pay attention to such rumors without official confirmation. RBI’s ‘Security Update’ for 2026 (Security Features) RBI keeps updating the security features in the existing notes from time to time to curb counterfeit currency. The main focus of RBI in the year 2026 is to further strengthen the following features: Color Changing Ink (Optically Variable Ink): The color of the digits written on ₹ 500 and ₹ 100 notes changes from ‘green’ to ‘blue’ when the note is tilted. Work is underway to make it more advanced. Intaglio Printing: Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, Ashoka Pillar and bleed lines can be ‘felt’ to help the visually impaired. Micro Lettering: ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ are written on the notes in fine print, which can only be seen with a magnifying glass. New Security Thread: The window thread on the ₹500 note has ‘Bharat’ and ‘RBI’ is written on it, which changes color when seen in light. How to identify fake notes? (Quick Check List) According to RBI, these 3 things must be seen to identify the genuine note: Watermark: When held in front of the light, the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and the denomination (500/100) are visible. Number Panel: The size of the numbers on the top left and bottom right goes from small to big. See-through Register: The denomination digits (500) fit perfectly on top of each other in the blank part of the note.