RBI's Update on the Exchange and Deposit of ₹2000 Notes

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the window open for the exchange and deposit of ₹2000 denomination notes, despite an overwhelming 98.18% of the total value being returned to the banking system. This move ensures that individuals who still possess these high-value notes have accessible channels to deposit or exchange them.

Current Status of ₹2000 Notes in Circulation

Since the announcement of withdrawal of ₹2000 notes on May 19, 2023, a significant majority of these notes have already been returned to banks. However, as of now, only ₹6,471 crore worth of ₹2000 notes remain in circulation.

Initial Exchange and Deposit Period

RBI initially provided a facility for depositing and exchanging ₹2000 notes at banks until October 7, 2023. During this period, individuals were allowed to visit their respective banks and return these notes.

Extended Deposit Facility at RBI Offices

Following the closure of bank exchanges on October 7, 2023, RBI continued to accept ₹2000 notes directly at its offices from October 9, 2023, onwards. This step ensures that those who missed the initial deadline can still deposit their notes into bank accounts.

Modes of Depositing ₹2000 Notes

RBI has provided two main options for individuals still holding ₹2000 notes:

Direct Deposit at RBI Offices: Individuals can visit RBI’s designated offices to deposit their ₹2000 notes into their bank accounts.
Sending Notes via India Post: Individuals can also send their ₹2000 notes to RBI offices using India Post services, making the process accessible even for those who cannot visit an RBI office physically.

List of RBI Offices Accepting ₹2000 Notes

Individuals can deposit their ₹2000 notes at the following RBI regional offices:

Ahmedabad
Bengaluru
Belapur
Bhopal
Bhubaneshwar
Chandigarh
Chennai
Guwahati
Jammu & Kashmir
Kanpur
Lucknow
Mumbai
Nagpur
New Delhi
Patna
Jaipur
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Thiruvananthapuram

Significance of the Move

The RBI’s decision to keep the deposit and exchange facility open aims to:

Ensure that no individual is inconvenienced by the withdrawal of ₹2000 notes.
Provide an alternative method for those unable to return their notes during the initial period.
Maintain financial stability while reducing the circulation of high-value currency notes.

Summary of the news

Category	Details
Why in News?	The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the deposit and exchange window open for ₹2000 notes, despite 98.18% of the total value being returned to the banking system.
Total ₹2000 Notes Remaining	₹6,471 crore worth of ₹2000 notes are still in circulation.
Withdrawal Announcement	May 19, 2023
Initial Deposit & Exchange Period	Until October 7, 2023, individuals could deposit or exchange ₹2000 notes at banks.
Extended Deposit Facility	From October 9, 2023, RBI offices continue to accept ₹2000 notes for deposit into bank accounts.
Modes of Deposit	1. Direct Deposit at RBI Offices – Individuals can visit RBI offices to deposit notes. 2. Sending via India Post – Individuals can mail their ₹2000 notes to RBI offices.
RBI Offices Accepting Deposits	Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Belapur, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Jammu & Kashmir, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram.
Significance of the Move	– Ensures individuals are not inconvenienced. – Provides an alternative for those who missed the initial period. – Reduces high-value currency circulation while maintaining financial stability.