Nepal Rastra Bank Introduces New Rs. 500 Banknotes with Enhanced Security Features

Kathmandu, 17 June 2026 – Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has officially released a new series of Rs. 500 banknotes into circulation from Wednesday, introducing enhanced security features and improved accessibility measures while retaining the familiar size and colour of the existing note.

The newly issued notes bear the signature of NRB Governor Prof. Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, who assumed office on May 21, 2025. The launch forms part of the central bank’s ongoing efforts to strengthen currency security and modernise Nepal’s banknote system.

According to the central bank, approximately thirty lakh notes from the new series will gradually enter circulation through the banking system. The serial numbers range from Jha 38 000001 to Ta 83 999999.

While the overall appearance remains largely unchanged, the note incorporates a range of upgraded security and identification features designed to make counterfeiting more difficult and improve usability for all citizens. On the front side, the note features an image of Mount Everest on the left and a watermark of the Laligurans (Rhododendron), Nepal’s national flower, on the right. The note also includes two raised black tactile dots to help blind and visually impaired users identify its denomination by touch.

Among the key security enhancements is an oval-shaped image of Kuber, the Hindu deity associated with wealth, which appears golden when viewed directly and changes to green when the note is tilted. The banknote also contains a 3.5 mm-wide security thread that exhibits color-shifting properties under different angles of light, providing an additional safeguard against forgery. Modern security threads and color-changing elements have become standard features in newly issued NRB currency notes. The reverse side of the note displays a Royal Bengal tiger. The design combines national symbols with advanced security technology, reflecting the central bank’s emphasis on both cultural representation and currency integrity.

NRB stated that the new Rs. 500 note is intended to serve not only as a medium of exchange but also as a secure and inclusive financial instrument. The upgraded design aims to reinforce public confidence in Nepal’s currency while making banknotes easier to authenticate and identify. The newly issued notes will circulate alongside existing Rs. 500 banknotes, which will remain legal tender.