The Indian Financial System Code is an 11-digit alpha-numeric code that is unique for bank branches that offer online money transfer options. The code is used to identify the bank branch on the National Electronics Funds Transfer (NEFT) network.
This code is mandatory for all online funds transfers, including RTGS, NEFT, and Immediate Payment Service (IMPS). The first four characters of the IFSC is a signifier of the bank. For instance, for HDFC Bank, the IFSC starts with HDFC. You can find your bank’s IFSC Code for your branch along with the full address on your bank’s website.
The last six characters are the identifier of the branch. These are always in the numeric form. Each branch has a unique six-digit code. The fifth character of the IFSC is zero.
With the digital payment system in place for most banks, most banking transactions have moved online. Funds are transferred from one account to the other through IMPS, RTGS or NEFT modes. Therefore, the IFSC Code has emerged as a tool to maintain the security of such transactions and ensure that the funds are credited to the correct account. The IFSC code also helps the RBI keep track of all digital banking transactions.
Without IFSC Code, you cannot make online transfers. Hence, with the correct IFSC Code, you can ensure that the funds are credited to the right account. If a friend wishes to make an online transfer to your account, they will ask for your IFSC Code. We tell you how to find the IFSC Code of your branch.
How to find IFSC Code of your branch
1. Cheque leaf: To find IFSC code of your branch, the simplest way is to refer to your cheque book. The full address of the branch is mentioned at the top left corner of a cheque leaf. At the end of the address, you will find an 11-digit code. This is your IFSC Code.
2. Passbook: Refer to the front sheet of your passbook. It mentions your account details, as well as your branch details. You can look for the IFSC Code there.
3. RBI website: Another simple way to find out your IFSC code is to refer to the official website of the Reserve Bank of India. Go to the tab for ‘IFSC codes’. Here, it is an advantage if you know the name of your branch. You select your bank from the drop-down menu and write the name of your branch. The website will give you the IFSC Code for your branch. Don’t worry if you don’t know the name of your branch. Once you choose your bank, the RBI furnishes a list of IFSC codes for all the branches of the bank. You can search for your branch and find the relevant IFSC code. Click here to go to the RBI website.
4. Bank website: Almost all banks have Branch Locator services available on their website. You can visit the bank’s official website and look for the Branch Locator tool. Click on the tool and find the IFSC Code of your branch. You can locate your branch and look for the information on the branch.
While you can use the branch name to find the IFSC Code, you can inversely also find branch by IFSC Code. You can visit the bank’s official website to find the address and details of the bank using the IFSC Code. You can even run a simple Google search of the IFSC Code and get the address of the branch it belongs to.
In case you enter an incorrect IFSC Code while making an online transfer, the funds are credited back to your account. This happens if you make a transfer to an account holder with a certain IFSC Code that does not match the bank’s database.
Some important questions
- Can I find IFSC code by account number?
No. Your account number is not an indicator of your IFSC Code. For instance, if you change your branch from Lower Parel to Andheri (West), your account number will remain the same. On the other hand, your IFSC Code changes.
Click here to read more on how to find your bank account number.
- Is IFSC Code same as SWIFT Code?
No. SWIFT code or Society for Worldwide Inter-bank Financial Telecommunication code is a code that helps transfer funds internationally. A SWIFT code could consist of eight to 11 characters. The initial four characters of the code are the bank’s code. The next two characters are the code for the country, the fifth and sixth characters are the location code, and the last characters are the branch code.
The IFSC Code is an 11-digit alpha-numeric code that facilitates the online transfer of funds between accounts. The code is unique for every branch of the bank.
Click here to know your bank’s IFSC Code!
*Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.
