No Demonetisation for Rs 100, Rs 500 Notes

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RBI Refines Rs 100 and Rs 500 Notes in 2026 Update

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced Tuesday a series of technical updates to the nation’s most used currency notes. Specifically, the 2026 plan focuses on the Rs 100 and Rs 500 denominations. Therefore, the goal is to boost durability and combat fake currency networks.

No Demonetisation Planned

Meanwhile, the central bank clarified that this update is not a ban on old cash. Since all existing notes remain legal tender, they can be used for all trades. Still, many users expressed worry online after memories of the 2016 note ban resurfaced. Now, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a fact-check notice to quell these fears. Actually, the agency stated that there is no plan to withdraw these denominations. Therefore, citizens do not need to visit banks to swap their current cash.

Better Security and Tougher Ink

Since the Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes see heavy daily use, they often fade or tear. Now, the 2026 update introduces a tougher type of ink to help notes last longer. This change will reduce the cost of printing new cash, according to RBI data. Then, the central bank added sharper micro-lettering and clearer watermarks. These markers make it easier for shopkeepers to spot fakes. “Quiet updates are a normal part of bank work,” said R. Subramanian, a former banker. In fact, these shifts help the bank stay one step ahead of criminals.

[Image: Close-up of the security thread on a new 500-rupee note]

Digital Shift vs. Physical Cash

Meanwhile, India’s digital pay systems are growing fast. Yet cash remains the top choice for rural trade and small shops. Therefore, the RBI must balance the rise of UPI with the need for reliable paper money. Additionally, the central bank ordered all ATMs to update their cassettes by March 31. This ensures that 90% of machines can dispense smaller notes. In fact, this move aims to make small change easier to find for the public.

Data Density: The 2026 Currency Benchmarks

The RBI report listed several specific goals for the new currency rollout:

• Rs 100 & Rs 500: The two primary notes receiving security boosts.

• 90%: The share of ATMs required to dispense smaller notes by March 31.

• Zero: The number of notes being withdrawn or banned in this update.

• 130 Microns: The target depth for new tactile prints for the blind.

• 15%: The expected rise in note life due to new ink resilience.

What’s Next First, the first batch of refined notes will reach bank chests by February 20. Then, ATMs will begin dispensing the new series over the next six months. Since the change is gradual, banks will also hold training for staff to spot the new marks, officials said.

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