In a move to facilitate smoother cross-border trade and travel, Nepal and India have officially agreed to permit their citizens to carry Indian currency notes in denominations of 200 and 500 rupees. The new limit is set at INR 25,000 per person.
The decision, approved by Nepal’s Cabinet and announced by government spokesperson Jagdish Kharel, formalizes the circulation of the newer series of Indian notes introduced in November 2016. This change aligns with a recent relaxation of India’s own rules, which lifted previous restrictions on carrying notes above INR 100 into Nepal.
The measure addresses long-standing requests from Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to recognize higher-value Indian notes as legal tender for exchange in Nepal. Officials expect the rule to significantly ease financial transactions for tourists, students, and migrant workers traveling between the two countries, while also helping to curb the informal smuggling of cash.
By providing greater convenience and clarity, the policy is seen as a step toward more integrated and flexible cross-border economic activity.
