NEW DELHI: The 2000-rupee notes worth Rs 6,181 crore still remain in circulation after two years of withdrawal, official Reserve Bank of India data released on Monday said.“Thus, 98.26% of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023, has since been returned,” the central bank said.The Reserve Bank of India RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023. Since then, their presence in the economy has seen a sharp decline—from Rs 3.56 lakh crore in circulation on the day of the announcement to just Rs 6,181 crore as of May 31, 2025, according to the RBI.However, they continue to be a legal tender. The option to deposit or exchange Rs 2000 banknotes at bank branches was available until October 7, 2023. After that date, the facility remains accessible exclusively at the Reserve Bank’s 19 issue offices.Starting October 9, 2023, RBI issue offices have been accepting Rs 2000 banknotes from individuals and entities for direct deposit into their bank accounts. Additionally, people can mail Rs 2000 notes from any post office across India to an RBI issue office for the amount to be credited to their accounts.
