India eases rules on carrying high-value rupee notes to Nepal
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted restrictions on the use of high-denomination Indian rupee notes in Nepal, introducing a more flexible system for currency movement between the two countries.
The RBI amended its earlier rules under the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations 2025. Under the revised provision, Indian currency and RBI-issued notes—except notes of InRs 100 denomination and above—can now be carried to and from Nepal and Bhutan without restriction.
According to the new rules, travelers from India to Nepal or Bhutan can now carry Indian currency notes above InRs 100 denomination up to a limit of InRs 25,000. Likewise, persons traveling from Nepal or Bhutan to India are also allowed to bring high-denomination notes up to InRs 25,000.
The amendment also permits Nepali and Bhutani currency to be carried between Nepal, Bhutan, and India without restriction. However, the new provision does not apply to citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Earlier, Nepal had prohibited the use of high-denomination Indian notes within its territory. The revised rules will take effect once Nepal Rastra Bank aligns its regulations with the new RBI provision.
Officials say the updated policy will benefit tourists and migrant workers traveling between Nepal and India by easing currency-related difficulties.
Black cardamom surges to second place in Nepal’s export basket
Black cardamom has emerged as Nepal’s second-largest export in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. According to the latest foreign trade data released by the Department of Customs, Nepal exported 1,823.90 tons of black cardamom worth Rs 3.97bn between mid-July and mid-November.
In the same period of the previous fiscal year, total exports remained at 1,306.25 tons worth Rs 1.9bn. The spice was Nepal’s fourth-largest export in 2024/25 when shipments reached 4,301.04 tons valued at Rs 7.68bn.
Exports grew strongly in the first quarter alone. From mid-July to mid-October, Nepal exported 1,072.20 tons of black cardamom, up 36.8 percent from 783.75 tons a year earlier. Earnings during the period rose 33.3 percent to Rs 1.68bn, compared to Rs 1.26bn last year.
Almost all of Nepal’s black cardamom goes to India. Exporters say the spice is processed, graded, packaged, and branded there before being re-exported to Pakistan, Gulf markets, and other destinations—often relabeled as “Made in India.” Once re-exported, black cardamom can sell for up to $28 per kilogram, far higher than what farmers received. Nepali farmers earn less than Rs 2,000 per kilogram from Indian buyers.
Nepal is the world’s largest producer of black cardamom, accounting for more than 55 percent of global production. Over 80 percent of the crop comes from five districts in eastern Nepal: Taplejung, Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, Panchthar, and Tehrathum.
However, since the country lacks basic processing and value-addition capacity, farmers are forced to export raw pods, losing out on the higher margins available through drying, grading, oil extraction, and branded retail products. Experts say processing and branding inside Nepal could raise earnings by 50 percent–100 percent.
The country exported 5,017 tons worth Rs 7.93bn in 2023/24, and hit an all-time earnings record of Rs 8.27bn in 2022/23. Revenue stood at Rs 4.77bn in 2021/22 and Rs 6.93bn in 2020/21. Annual earnings stayed above Rs 4bn from 2017/18 to 2019/20.
Gold price drops by Rs 800 per tola on Thursday
The price of gold has dropped by Rs 800 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 253, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 254, 100 per tola on Wednesday.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 625 per tola.
Nepse plunges by 13. 52 points on Wednesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 13. 52 points to close at 2, 631. 17 points on Wednesday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 03 points to close at 450. 96 points.
A total of 10,873,372-unit shares of 332 companies were traded for Rs 5. 23 billion.
Meanwhile, Sagar Distillery Limited (SAGAR), Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) and Jhapa Energy Limited (JHAPA) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.
Likewise, Samling Power Company Limited (SPC) was the top loser as its price fell by 2. 85 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 49 trillion.
