IFSC code & MICR code Directory

The IFSC Code, or Indian Financial System Code, is an 11-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to each bank branch in India. This unique IFSC code number is crucial for facilitating electronic fund transfers via NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS. Each bank IFSC code helps identify the specific bank branch involved in a transaction.

If you're wondering what is IFSC code and where to find it look no further than your cheque book, passbook, or the bank's official website. You can also use an IFSC code finder tool or visit the RBI's website to do an IFSC code search or search branch by IFSC code.

When sending money through net banking, you'll need to enter the correct IFSC along with the recipient's bank branch name. This ensures the funds are transferred securely and without error. Note that unless there's a bank merger or restructuring, the IFSC code India branches use typically remain the same.

Entering the correct bank IFSC code is essential for any successful online transaction. Here's why it matters: Entering the correct bank IFSC code is essential for any successful online transaction. Here's why it matters:
• It helps find branch by IFSC code accurately during fund transfers.
• It ensures your money reaches the correct branch code of the beneficiary's bank.
• It supports a secure and quick transfer via NEFT, RTGS, or IMPS.
• It helps check IFSC code validity, avoiding wrong transfers.

Whether you're trying to find IFSC code by account number, or search IFSC code by account number, it's a key detail required in digital banking today.

Wondering how to check IFSC code or how to find IFSC code from account number? Here are a few trusted ways to do so:

One of the most important identifiers on a bank cheque is the IFSC code. This 11-digit alphanumeric code is mandatory and unique to each bank branch. Whether you're trying to check IFSC code, search branch by IFSC code, or find bank by IFSC code, your cheque is often the first place to look.

On a typical Indian bank cheque—be it HDFC, ICICI, SBI, or any other, the IFSC code number is printed clearly, usually on the top-left or near the bank's logo. Since IFSC code India varies from bank to bank and even branch to branch, it's important to refer to the exact cheque leaf issued by your branch.

Understanding how to find IFSC code from account number or from a cheque leaf makes everyday banking tasks from fund transfers to beneficiary addition quick, reliable, and error-free.

While IFSC code is essential for online transfers, don't confuse it with other banking identifiers:

MICR Code: Stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition and is used for the processing of cheques. You can even extract the MICR code from IFSC code using certain bank tools.

CIF Number: The Customer Information File number stores a customer's banking history, and is different from the IFSC code meaning or usage.

Both MICR code of bank and IFSC code are printed on cheques and serve different purposes.

Here are the details fund transfers using IFSC:

Transaction Charges

The IFSC code plays a crucial role in enabling secure and error-free online money transfers between bank accounts in India. Whether you're using NEFT, RTGS, or IMPS, this unique 11-digit IFSC code is mandatory to initiate a transaction. These electronic fund transfer systems are designed to ensure that payments are made quickly and accurately—provided the bank IFSC code and account number are entered correctly.

Incorrect details? Your payment won't go through. That's why it's important to check IFSC code before transferring funds and use tools like an IFSC code finder or IFSC code search to confirm the correct branch code.

NEFT full form is National Electronic Fund Transfer, one of India's most widely used digital fund transfer systems. It allows you to send money from one bank account to another across any bank in India—provided the correct bank name by IFSC code, account number, and account type are shared.

• Transactions are processed in batch-wise settlements.
• It is mandatory to enter the correct IFSC code to ensure your funds reach the right bank branch.
• You can find IFSC code by account number or use your cheque leaf or bank passbook.

NEFT is ideal for scheduled or low-to-medium-value transfers.

RTGS full form is Real-Time Gross Settlement, a system that allows immediate transfer of money between banks in India. It's primarily used for high-value, time-sensitive transactions.

• Transactions are processed individually and in real-time.
• Minimum transaction amount is typically Rs. 2 lakh.
• Like NEFT, it requires the correct IFSC code for successful transfers.

RTGS is ideal for large-value, urgent transfers.

IMPS full form is Immediate Payment Service, enabling instant fund transfers 24/7, including holidays. It's one of the fastest modes of electronic fund transfer in India.

• Transactions are processed instantly, unlike NEFT's batch processing.
• Available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
• Requires IFSC code for inter-bank transfers.

IMPS is perfect for urgent, small-to-medium value transfers.

To transfer funds to someone else's account, you need to add them as a beneficiary. This is a one-time process that requires the correct IFSC code.

1. Login to your bank account: Access your internet banking or mobile banking app.
2. Navigate to beneficiary section: Look for 'Add Beneficiary' or 'Manage Beneficiaries' option.
3. Enter beneficiary details: Provide name, account number, IFSC code, and bank details.
4. Set transfer limits: Some banks allow you to set daily or monthly transfer limits for each beneficiary.
5. Confirm registration: Complete the process using OTP or other verification methods.
6. Activation waiting period: Most banks have a 24-hour waiting period before you can transfer money to newly added beneficiaries.

India's banking system includes numerous banks, each with their unique IFSC codes for different branches. Here are some of the major banks and their identifier patterns:

State Bank of India (SBI): IFSC codes start with 'SBIN'
HDFC Bank: IFSC codes start with 'HDFC'
ICICI Bank: IFSC codes start with 'ICIC'
Axis Bank: IFSC codes start with 'UTIB'
Punjab National Bank: IFSC codes start with 'PUNB'
Bank of Baroda: IFSC codes start with 'BARB'

Each bank branch has its unique 11-character IFSC code that helps in electronic fund transfers.

It's important to understand that credit cards and bank branches have different IFSC code requirements:

Credit Card Payments: Credit card payments use the bank's branch IFSC code.
• When paying credit card bills, you typically use the bank's designated IFSC code for credit card payments
• This might be different from your regular branch IFSC code
• Most banks provide specific IFSC codes for credit card bill payments

Bank Branch IFSC Code: {' '} Used for regular account-to-account transfers
• Specific to your account's home branch
• Required for salary credits, loan EMIs, and other regular transactions

To transfer money to another person's account—especially if they hold an account in a different bank—you'll need to register them as a third-party beneficiary. This process is simple and secure, provided you have the correct details like the IFSC code, bank branch, and account number.

Here are the steps to register a third-party beneficiary:

1. Log in to your bank's net banking or mobile banking portal using your user ID and password.
2. Navigate to the 'Fund Transfer' section.
3. Click on the 'Request' tab and select 'Add Beneficiary'.
4. Enter the following mandatory details:
    • Beneficiary's name
    • Account number
    • Bank IFSC code
    • Bank name and branch
5. Once all the information is filled in, click 'Submit'.
6. The system will take a short period to verify and activate the beneficiary. This duration may vary by bank. For example, HDFC Bank typically takes up to 12 hours.
7. After the beneficiary is activated, you can initiate a fund transfer.
8. Enter the transfer amount and optional remarks.
9. Choose your preferred mode of communication (SMS or email) to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
10. Enter the OTP to authorise and complete the transaction.

💡 Tip: Always double-check the IFSC code using an IFSC code finder tool or your beneficiary's bank documents to ensure the money is routed to the correct bank branch.