Bangladesh new currency notes 2025 officially launched by Bangladesh Bank, marking a major shift in the country’s monetary design philosophy. With new designs rolling out just ahead of Eid-ul-Adha 2025, the move has triggered both curiosity and controversy, especially due to the notable removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait—an image that has long been a staple of Bangladesh currency notes.
Launch and Distribution of New Currency Notes
The introduction began on June 1, 2025, with the release of the Tk20, Tk50, and Tk1,000 denominations. These freshly printed Bangladesh currency notes are currently available in limited quantities from the Motijheel office of Bangladesh Bank in Dhaka, with plans for nationwide distribution in phases. This strategic rollout aligns with the interim government’s agenda to distance the nation’s public symbols from the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, following the political turmoil and the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in July 2024.
Key Features and Design of the Bangladesh New Currency Notes 2025
The Bangladesh new currency notes 2025 highlight a diverse cultural and historical representation. Instead of political figures, the notes now feature landmarks, national monuments, and symbols of cultural heritage:
- Tk20 Note (released May 28): Features the Kantajiu Temple and Buddhist temples.
- Tk50 Note (released May 29/30): Depicts Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s famine painting and Atia Mosque.
- Tk1,000 Note (released June 2): Includes imagery of Bangabhaban and the National Martyrs’ Memorial.
- Tk5 Note: Delayed due to a European paper supply issue; will showcase Abu Sayeed and Mugdha, martyrs of the July 2024 uprising.
- Tk10 Note: Will highlight youth unity and the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
- Tk100 Note: Features wildlife from the Sundarbans, including the spotted deer and Royal Bengal tiger, symbolizing transformation post-Hasina era.
- Tk200 Note: Celebrates religious diversity—mosques, temples, churches, and pagodas.
- Tk500 Note: Focuses on Ahsan Manzil, an architectural heritage site in Dhaka.
Why the Redesign? Political and Cultural Implications
For decades, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image appeared on every note—from Tk2 to Tk1,000—representing his foundational role in the country’s history. However, the current Bangladesh new currency notes 2025 reflect a clear departure. The interim government has deliberately excluded his portrait in an effort to “depoliticize” currency following last year’s student-led uprising and government transition.
The shift has sparked mixed public sentiment and heated debates on X (formerly Twitter), with some calling the new designs refreshing and inclusive, while others see it as an attempt to erase history.
Currency Shortage and Economic Impact
The rollout has not been without challenges. Since April 2025, Bangladesh Bank stopped issuing notes bearing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image, resulting in a severe shortage of clean notes. An estimated Tk15,000 crore in printed notes remains unused in bank vaults. The Security Printing Corporation, responsible for printing, can only produce 120 crore notes annually—well below the demand of 150 crore—creating a tangible crisis in the market.
Meanwhile, unofficial vendors have begun selling new notes at a premium. For instance, a Tk20 bundle (face value Tk2,000) was being sold for Tk2,100 on Dhaka footpaths, pointing to distribution inefficiencies and public desperation for fresh currency.
Bangladesh Currency Notes Background and Historical Context
This isn’t the first time Bangladesh currency notes have undergone a major redesign. After independence in 1972, initial designs featured Sheikh Mujib. But following his assassination in 1975, notes briefly adopted neutral symbols like the Tara Mosque. The Awami League reinstated his portrait in 1996. Now, nearly three decades later, the cycle seems to be turning again.
Interestingly, recent commemorative notes—such as the Tk50 for the Bangabandhu Tunnel and Tk100 for the Padma Bridge—still carried Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image. But none of the Bangladesh new currency notes 2025 do, signaling a symbolic shift under the interim regime.
Though Bangladesh Bank has not disclosed full technical details, the new notes reportedly include advanced security elements like windowed threads, microtext, and special watermarks, in line with global standards to prevent forgery.
