India will withdraw its highest denomination currency note from circulation, the central bank said on Friday. The 2000-rupee note, introduced into circulation in 2016, will remain legal tender but citizens have been asked to deposit or exchange these notes by Sept. 30, 2023
The decision is reminiscent of a shock move in 2016 when the Narendra Modi-led government had withdrawn 86% of the economy’s currency in circulation overnight.
So will the Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender?
The Rs 2000 banknote will continue to maintain its legal tender status, the RBI has said. Members of the public can continue to use Rs 2000 banknotes for their transactions and also receive them in payment. “However, they are encouraged to deposit and/ or exchange these banknotes on or before September 30, 2023,” the RBI said.
What should you do with the Rs 2000 notes you have?
The RBI has advised people to “approach bank branches for deposit and/ or exchange” of these banknotes. “The facility for deposit into accounts and exchange for Rs 2000 banknotes will be available at all banks until September 30, 2023,” the RBI has said. The facility for exchange will also be available until September 30 at 19 RBI Regional Offices that have Issue Departments.
Is there a limit on how much money you can exchange or deposit?
You can exchange Rs 2000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time. You don’t have to go your own bank — a non-account holder of bank also can exchange Rs 2000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time at any bank branch.
The exchange of Rs 2000 banknotes can also be made through business correspondents up to a limit of Rs 4000 per day for an account holder.
Deposits into bank accounts can be made without restrictions “subject to compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and other applicable statutory / regulatory requirements”, the RBI has said.
