The government on Sunday dismissed as “untrue” a viral WhatsApp message claiming that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had directed banks to stop issuing Rs 500 notes through ATMs by September 30, 2025. It clarified that no such instruction has been issued and Rs 500 notes remain legal tender.

The misleading message further alleged that 90% of ATMs would stop dispensing Rs 500 notes by March 31, 2026, and 75% would do so by September 30, urging people to start “liquidating” their Rs 500 notes. It also implied that only Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes would be available in ATMs in the future.

Addressing these claims, the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit stated that the information circulating on social media is fake. In a post on X, the unit clarified, “No such instruction has been issued by the @RBI. Rs 500 notes will continue to be legal tender.”

Authorities urged the public to avoid believing or spreading such misinformation and to verify any financial updates from official sources like RBI or PIB. This is not the first time such claims have surfaced; a similar rumor went viral last month and was also debunked by the PIB.

Officials reiterated the importance of relying on verified sources, cautioning that misinformation regarding currency circulation has become increasingly common.