Dashain Demand Pushes Cash Circulation to Rs. 857 Billion in Nepal

The amount of cash circulation in Nepal has increased significantly ahead of the Dashain festival. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), an additional Rs. 63 billion entered circulation in the month of Ashwin alone, reflecting the growing demand for cash during the festive season.

As per the central bank's data, cash in circulation stood at Rs. 794 billion at the end of Bhadra and increased to Rs. 857 billion by Ashwin 28. NRB officials expect the figure to rise further as Dashain approaches. Despite the growing use of digital payments, cash demand remains high during the festival.

Meanwhile, the public has exchanged approximately Rs. 13 billion worth of new and clean banknotes through NRB and commercial banks. Of this amount, around Rs. 3 billion was exchanged through NRB's Thapathali and provincial offices, while commercial banks received Rs. 10 billion to provide exchange services to their customers.

NRB began offering note exchange services on Ashwin 1 for denominations of Rs. 5, Rs. 10, Rs. 20, Rs. 50, and Rs. 100. Each person can exchange one bundle of 100 notes from each denomination, totaling Rs. 18,500. The exchange facility remains available, and demand is expected to increase further as people prepare to give cash gifts during Dashain celebrations.