Hyderabad: A post claiming that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released new notes of five thousand rupee denomination is going viral on social media. The post is being shared with the image of a green-colored Rs 5000 note bearing number 4KT 836571.
A Facebook user shared the photo and wrote, "New 5000 note soon available in the market." (Archive)
Fact Check
We have investigated and found that the claim is false. The Reserve Bank of India has not issued any new Rs 5000 note.
Through various keyword searches on Google, we found that there are no credible reports to confirm that the RBI has issued any Rs 5000 notes. We found no official announcement regarding the Rs 5000 notes.
We checked the official website of RBI and found no notification or update about the new Rs 5000 note. According to the RBI website, the banknotes in circulation, known as the Mahatma Gandhi (new) Series, were introduced in 2016 after the demonetization of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
According to the RBI website, the currency notes currently in circulation include Rs 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500. (Archive).
However, in May 2023 the central government withdrew Rs 2000 notes from circulation, although they remain legal tender and can be exchanged.
Press Information Bureau (PIB) has also clarified that the claim is false. "It is being claimed on social media that new ₹5000 notes will be issued by the Reserve Bank of India. This claim is fake. No such decision has been taken by the @RBI," it stated. (Archive)
Where is the Viral Rs 5000 image from?
Using reverse image search we found that a Reddit user uploaded the image of the Rs 5000 note on 16 September 2024. The image was shared with the title “My concept of a 5000 Indian Rupee note (front side only)” on a subreddit r/banknotesdesign, which is a “platform for sharing, evaluating and discussing designs of banknotes and fantasy banknotes.” (Archive)
The user who posted the image has clarified that the Rs 5000 note image that is going viral is a fantasy banknote. “This is my take on making a high-denomination Rupee note…This banknote has been designed mostly with PowerPoint and Microsoft Paint 3D,” said the user.
The Rs 5000 denomination note has not been issued by the RBI. The image of the note in circulation is a fantasy banknote. Therefore we conclude that the viral claims are false.