The Indian Financial System Code (IFSC ): Bank IFSC Code, is a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code that is used for online fund transfer transactions done via NEFT, RTGS and IMPS. You can find the IFSC code on the cheque leaf that is provided by the bank.

The Reserve Bank of What is IFSC Code India (RBI) assigns the IFSC codes to the bank. Apart from the cheque leaf, you can also find the IFSC code on the official website of the bank and the RBI.

In case you are using net banking to transfer money, it is mandatory for the IFSC to be entered to initiate the transfer. Unless there is a merger, banks do not modify or change the IFSC code.

IFSC Code : Some Key Features

Helps uniquely identify a specific bank branch
Helps eliminate errors in the fund transfer process
Used for all electronic payment options such as NEFT, RTGS and IMPS

Difference Between Bank IFSC Code and Credit Card IFSC Code

In the case of the bank IFSC code, it varies from branch to branch. However, the credit card IFSC code for a particular bank will remain the same across the country.

The credit card IFSC code for some of the banks are mentioned in the table below:

Bank	IFSC
HDFC Bank	HDFC0000128
Citibank	CITI0000003
Axis Bank	UTIB0000400
HSBC Bank	HSBC0400002
Punjab National Bank	PUNB0112000
IDBI Bank	IBKL0NEFT01
Yes Bank	YESB0CMSNOC
IndusInd Bank	INDB0000018
State Bank of India	SBIN00CARDS

MICR Code: Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Code

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a 9-digit code that helps identify a particular bank branch that is part of the Electronic Clearing System (ECS) which is used to clear cheques on a routine basis. This code can be found on the cheque leaf that is issued by the bank and is generally also printed on the passbook that is issued to the account holder.

Of the nine digits, the first three digits identify the specific city, the next three digits identify the specific bank code and the final three digits represent the bank branch code. For example the MICR code for the SBI branch in Kolkata is ‘700002021.

Here, the first 3 digits ‘700’ is used to identify the specific city, the next three digits ‘002’ represent the the specific bank code and the last 3 digits ‘021’ specify the bank branch code. The MICR code is primarily used to process and clear cheques, which is done by machines. The 9-digit code helps eliminate errors in the clearing process, helps in speeding up the process things as well as makes cheque processing more safe and secure.

Bank IFSC Code Format:

A	B	C	D	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
Code for Bank Name				0	Code for Branch Name

What is MICR Code?

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a 9-digit code that helps identify a particular bank branch that is part of the Electronic Clearing System (ECS). This code can be found on the cheque leaf that is issued by the bank and is generally printed on the passbook that is issued to the account holder.

The main purpose of the MICR code is to clear cheques that are deposited in machines. The code helps in avoiding errors as well.

MICR Code Format

The first three digits of the code represents the city, the next three digits represent the bank code, and the last three digits represent the bank branch code. For example, the MICR code for the SBI branch in Kolkata is ‘700002021’. Here, ‘700’ represents the city, ‘002’ represents the bank, and ‘021’ represents the bank branch.

IFSC Code Search: Bank Branch

IFSC codes are the basic unit of any online inter-bank money transfers in India and the surefire way to validate all such transactions. With the correct knowledge of IFSC codes, sending and receiving money online becomes simple and fast, as intended.

Many resources are available online that help you find IFSC code for the particular requested bank. And let’s face it- you are only likely to check upon the same when affecting an online transaction. In the similar vein, BankBazaar offers a comprehensive tool to help you indulge in a speedy and accurate IFSC Code search.

Given below is the step-by-step procedure to conduct IFSC code search on BankBazaar.com:

You are already on this page as you read these instructions, scroll to the top of this page.
Spread before you is a simple ‘IFSC and MICR Codes Directory’, a versatile tool to help you locate IFSC Code as required. The tool comprises of the following fields- 1) Select Bank, 2) Select State, 3) Select District, and 4) Select Branch.
Kindly make the appropriate selections with regards to the name of the bank, Indian state where the bank’s branch exists, the specific district of the state and finally, the concerned branch.
In response to your query, the resultant page lists out the bank’s IFSC Code, MICR Code, official address and phone number. All this happens in less than 30 seconds from your initial query.

IFSC Code: How Does it Works

Let us take an example of the Canara Bank IFSC code to better understand what IFSC code is and how it works in banking transactions. The IFSC code for the Chandigarh Branch of Canara Bank is CNRB00001995.

Here, CNBR represents the name of the bank, which is Canara Bank
The 5th character, which is 0, is for future use
The other 6 characters, 01995, specifically helps the RBI identify a bank branch without any error.

Now, let us understand how IFSC works. When a fund transfer is initiated to a particular payee, one has to provide the account number and branch-specific IFSC code. Once the remitter provides these details, the money is sent to the account holder and IFSC helps avoid any errors in such transactions.

Apart from fund transfers, IFSC code can also be used to purchase insurance and mutual funds through net banking. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) National Clearing Cell monitors all transactions and the IFSC code helps the RBI keep track of transactions and also execute fund transfers without any error.

The IFSC code can also be found on your cheque book or bank passbook. One can also find their bank branch IFSC code in the monthly account statement. The IFSC code for each bank and branch is unique.

Necessity of Indian Financial System Code

We need an IFSC code because it helps the RBI monitor all banking transactions without any blunders. A simple IFSC code can aid the RBI track, oversee, and seamlessly maintain all financial transactions that are carried out via NEFT, RTGS and IMPS.

For bank customers, IFSC code is important because most electronic fund transfers cannot be initiated unless the IFSC code of the beneficiary/payee is provided along with the bank account number.

IFSC code plays an important role when money is transferred from one account to another through methods such as IMPS, NEFT and RTGS. All these options are fundamentally concerned with inter-bank money transfer but perform this task in different ways. The common thread amongst these varied options is the bank IFSC codes system.

Locate IFSC and MICR Code on a Bank Cheque

A lot of the above discussions have centered on the common bank cheque. This mainstay of the banking world is an amalgamation of a number of components that help to authenticate whether it is genuine and allow us to attach our complete faith in its applicability.

The primary components of a typical bank cheque are illustrated as follows:

Find IFSC Code in a Bank Cheque:

On a typical bank cheque, it is mandatory for the IFSC code to be listed. The IFSC code will vary from bank-to-bank. In our example image: we are displaying the location of the IFSC code on a HDFC Cheque.

Locating Cheque Number:

Displayed in a typewritten font at the bottom of the cheque in special font style. This is primarily used for tracking the cheque and for other administrative purposes.

IFSC & MICR Code: The Basic Differences You Need to Know

Given in the table below are the differences between the IFSC Code and the MICR Code:

IFSC Code	MICR Code
IFSC is a 11-digit alphanumeric number.	MICR is a 9-digit code.
IFSC is used to facilitate electronic money transfer between banks that operate in the country.	MICR is used to make cheque processing simpler and faster.
In an IFSC code, the first four characters indicate the name of the bank.	In the MICR code, a combination of the fourth, fifth and sixth digit indicate the bank code.
In IFSC, the last six characters represent the branch code.	In the MICR code, the last three digits indicate the bank branch code.

How Can One Transfer Money with IFSC Code of Bank Account?

If the individual knows his/her way around banking transactions, they are already aware that there are two main forms of fund transfer. One being the old-fashioned physical way, wherein you walk into the bank and remit the cheque. While the second being the electronic way using methods such as IMPS, NEFT or RTGS.

When dealing with the old-school ‘going-to-the-bank’ way, one does not need to register a beneficiary. However, the electronic method is a bit different and a lot more secure too.

To transfer funds with the help of technology, the individual is required to meet the below-mentioned requirements:

The individual needs to be register for the bank’s net banking service.
Need to register for third-party transactions. (Note that, in this context, third-party refers to a beneficiary from a different bank to that of yours.)
Registering the beneficiary’s account to which funds are to be transferred.

Process Involved in Making Online Money Transfer

Nearly every bank in India follows its own policy with regards to a third-party money transfer. One thing worth noting here is that the process remains more or less the same, except for the fact that they are phrased a bit differently.

For example, let’s take a look at HDFC Bank’s procedure. The steps involved are:

Login to the bank’s net banking service with the customer ID and password.
Click on the ‘Third Party Transfer’ tab and follow the basic instructions.
Getting the OTP on the registered mobile number once the details are filled and submitted.

How to Register the Beneficiary’s Account?

To register a beneficiary, details such as name of the beneficiary, account number, IFSC code of the beneficiary’s bank, and name of the Bank branch needs to be provided.
Once the details are submitted, the registration is complete. However, different banks have different time periods after which you can make your first transfer. For instance, in HDFC Bank’s case, it takes 12 hours for the details to check out and get active.

How to Transfer Money with the Help of Net Banking & Mobile Banking?

Transferring money electronically with the help of the IFSC code is a simple process once the individual has set it up. The process to transfer money via net banking and mobile banking are mentioned below:

Through Net-banking:

The process to transfer funds via net banking is given below:

Visit the official website of the bank.
Go to the net banking portal.
Login with the help of the username and password.
Next, choose ‘Transfer funds through NEFT’ to transfer the amount to the beneficiary’s account. In case, the beneficiary has not been added, the individual should register them for future transactions. To do this, the IFSC code, bank account number, and the bank branch needs to be provided. Once the details are submitted successfully, it can take anywhere between 5 minutes to 12 hours, depending on your bank’s policy for the beneficiary account to be activated. After waiting for the stipulated hours, money can be instantly transferred to the beneficiary’s account with a buffer of less than an hour.

Through Mobile Banking:

Here’s how money can be transferred from one bank account to another using the IFSC code through mobile banking:

The first thing that the individual needs to do is to register the 10-digit mobile number for mobile banking by linking it to the bank account. To register, the individual is required to fill a form after which a starter’s kit is provided that contains the MMID (a unique 7 digit number) and mPin. This kit is similar to the one that one gets with the debit card.
After the registration is complete, sending money through SMS is quite simple. First, the individual needs to select ‘IMPS’. Next, the individual need to provide the beneficiary’s account number, IFSC code, and the amount that he/she wants to send. After confirming the transaction, the individual is required to type in the mPin. On doing so, the money is successfully transferred from the account and deposited in the beneficiary’s account.

What is UPI (Unified Payments Interface)

It is basically a new payment architecture introduced by Reserve Bank of India under the leadership of former governor Raghuram Rajan along with support from tech scion Nandan Nilekani. In short, UPI is being referred to as a next-generation payment method which is expected to leverage the growing power of smart phone technology and the proportionate rise of smart phone users in the country. It enables making money transactions between any two bank accounts with the help of a smart phone. While the UPI payment method allows payments through online and offline, like net banking and card swipes, it is a lot more seamless and sophisticated at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions on IFSC and MICR codes

What is the full form of IFSC?Ans: The full form of IFSC is Indian Financial System Code.
Why is IFSC used?Ans: IFSC or Indian Financial System Code is a 11-digit alphanumeric code that is used to uniquely all bank branches within the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) network by the Reserve Bank of India.
How to search for bank name by IFSC code?Ans: It is very easy to find the bank name using the IFSC code. The first four characters of the IFSC code represents the bank name. So, if the bank name is HDFC, then the IFSC code will look something like HDFC0004053.
What is the meaning of MICR code?Ans: MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. It is a special ink that is sensitive to magnetic fields. It is printed on the bottom of a cheque.
What is the use of MICR code?Ans: MICR is a technology that helps in verifying the originality of cheques or other paper documents. It is used mainly by banks to process cheques faster. The MICR code helps RBI in identifying the bank branch.
How can I transfer money from one bank account to another online?Ans: You can transfer money from one bank account to another through online mode using methods like National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), Real-time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), and Unified Payment Interface (UPI).
Are IFSC and SWIFT code same?Ans: No, the IFSC and SWIFT codes are not the same. IFSC is used for transferring funds within India, while SWIFT code is used for transferring funds at an international level. Moreover, SWIFT is a bank identifier code while IFSC is used to identify a specific bank branch.
If a bank branch is changed, will the IFSC code change?Ans: No, if the location of a bank’s branch is changed, then the IFSC code will not change. If the bank account is shifted from one branch of the bank to another, only then will the IFSC code be changed.
Is IFSC code same as branch code?Ans: No, IFSC code is not the same as branch code.
Where is the IFSC code located on the cheque leaf?Ans: IFSC code is generally present on the top part of every cheque leaf or near the bank branch address.
Is IFSC code required for IMPS?Ans: IFSC code is required for IMPS only if the individual is transferring money using bank account number. If the receiver’s MMID is not available, then he/she needs to add the receiver as a payee, for which details such as bank account number, name, and IFSC are required.
Where can I locate MICR code on cheque?Ans: MICR code is printed on the bottom part of every cheque leaf provided by banks.
Is IFSC code unique?Ans: Yes, IFSC code is a unique alphanumeric code.
Is it possible to determine the IFSC code of a bank’s branch from the savings bank account number hosted in the same bank?Ans: No, it is not possible as the 15-digit long savings bank account number does not include the bank’s IFSC code.
I think I have provided the wrong IFSC code when initiating a NEFT funds transfer. What will happen to my money?Ans: There is no need to panic as for a NEFT transaction to go through and benefit the intended recipient, you are required to provide the latter’s account number and the corresponding bank’s IFSC code. In case you provide wrong IFSC code, the system with tally against the recipient’s name and account number to identify the mistake and refund the money. The refund will be highlighted in your account within a couple of hours at the maximum.
Can I access the IFSC code from my bank passbook?
Ans: Yes, you can access the IFSC code from the bank passbook. As per a directive from the Reserve Bank of India, banks must print the IFSC and MICR codes prominently on the passbooks, account statements and cheques issued by them.

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