Nepal Rastra Bank Circulates Upgraded 500 Rupees Banknotes With Governor Biswo Nath Poudel’s Signature and Advanced Anti Counterfeiting Tech

17th June 2026, Kathmandu

Nepal Rastra Bank has officially released an updated series of five hundred rupees banknotes into the national economy.

NRB Releases New Banknotes

The newly minted bills feature the authorized signature of the current central bank head, Governor Professor Doctor Biswo Nath Poudel.

While retaining the familiar style and layout of earlier versions, this fresh series includes advanced security updates to prevent fraud.

Central bank officials announced that these notes are entering daily circulation through commercial banking counters, while older bills will be systematically collected and retired over time.

Key Identification Numbers and Distribution Scope

The new printing run follows a strict numbering system to ensure accurate tracking across the domestic banking landscape.

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• Issuing Monetary Authority: Nepal Rastra Bank
• Authorized Validation Endorsement: Signature of Governor Prof Dr Biswo Nath Poudel
• Official Production Series Year: Two Thousand Eighty Two Bikram Sambat
• Registered Serial Range Groups: From Zha Thirty Eight Zero Zero Zero Zero Zero One through Ta Eighty Three Nine Nine Nine Nine Nine Nine
• Estimated Initial Output Volume: Approximately Three Million individual paper notes
• Primary Replacement Target: Gradual phase out of the older 2020 series bills

Advanced Security Details Built to Block Counterfeiters

To protect merchants and shoppers from sophisticated printing scams, the note incorporates several high tech visual indicators that are easy to check by hand.

• Color Shifting Security Filament: A three point five millimeter wide metallic thread woven directly into the paper changes color when tilted.
• Variable Optically Dynamic Ink: A central oval image of Kubera shifts smoothly from bright gold to deep green depending on the viewing angle.
• Complex Multi Layer Authentication: Micro text patterns and embedded watermarks provide quick verification for high volume sorting machines.
• Refined Geometric Background Arrays: Intricate background line designs make the currency nearly impossible to duplicate using standard digital scanners.

National Heritage Elements and Specialized Inclusivity Features

The paper layout pairs important cultural icons with practical design tools to help everyday consumers identify the bill.

• Iconic Northern Mountain Landmark: A crisp engraving of Mount Everest sits prominently on the left side of the front face.
• National Floral Watermark: A clear silhouette of the Rhododendron flower becomes visible when held up to a direct light source.
• Indigenous Wildlife Representation: A detailed depiction of the Royal Bengal Tiger highlights the back of the bill, celebrating local biodiversity.
• Tactile Dots for Vision Support: Two raised black markings give visually impaired citizens an independent way to verify the note value by touch.
• Bilingual Text Layouts: Official labeling is printed clearly in both Nepali script and English text across the outer margins.

Long Term Goals for Cash Circulation and Currency Integrity

For the central bank, issuing updated banknotes is an essential step in maintaining a clean, secure physical cash ecosystem.

Even as electronic mobile banking grows rapidly across urban centers, physical cash remains a vital tool for trade in remote geographic regions.

By routinely refreshing high value bills with advanced anti counterfeiting tech, Nepal Rastra Bank protects everyday consumers from financial fraud and builds a highly resilient currency system that supports steady economic growth.

For More: NRB Releases New Banknotes