What is an IFSC code and how is it structured in India?

An Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is an 11-character alphanumeric code assigned by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The first 4 alphabetic characters represent the bank name, the 5th character is always 0 (reserved for future use), and the last 6 characters represent the specific bank branch.

What is the difference between an IFSC code and a MICR code?

An IFSC code is used for electronic fund transfers (NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS), while a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a 9-digit numerical code printed at the bottom of bank cheque leaves used for faster cheque clearing processes.

What happens if I enter the wrong IFSC code during a fund transfer?

Under RBI guidelines, online fund transfers credit based on the Beneficiary Account Number. If the IFSC code points to a different branch of the same bank, the funds typically still reach the beneficiary. However, if the IFSC code belongs to a completely different bank, the transaction is rejected and reversed back to your account within 2 to 24 hours.

IFSC Code Finder & Bank Branch Details Lookup

Major Indian Bank IFSC Prefixes (First 4 Letters)

Cheat sheet of standard 4-letter prefixes for leading Indian banking institutions

Prefix	Bank Name	Headquarters
SBIN	State Bank of India (SBI)	Mumbai, Maharashtra
HDFC	HDFC Bank	Mumbai, Maharashtra
ICIC	ICICI Bank	Vadodara / Mumbai
PUNB	Punjab National Bank	New Delhi
BARB	Bank of Baroda	Vadodara, Gujarat
UTIB	Axis Bank	Mumbai, Maharashtra
CNRB	Canara Bank	Bengaluru, Karnataka
KKBK	Kotak Mahindra Bank	Mumbai, Maharashtra

How an 11-Character IFSC Code Is Structured

Every IFSC code issued by the Reserve Bank of India follows an unchangeable 11-character structure:

SBIN0000300

First 4 Characters: Unique bank code (e.g. SBIN for State Bank of India).

5th Character: Always the digit 0 (zero), reserved for future expansion.

Last 6 Characters: Specific branch code identifying the branch location.

Payment Modes: NEFT vs. RTGS vs. IMPS

Feature	NEFT	RTGS	IMPS
Settlement Speed	Half-hourly batches	Real-time gross	Instant (within seconds)
Minimum Limit	₹1 (No minimum)	₹2,00,000 (₹2 Lakh)	₹1 (No minimum)
Operating Hours	24×7×365	24×7×365	24×7×365

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find my bank's IFSC code on a cheque book? ▼

On standard CTS-2010 cheque leaves, your 11-character IFSC code is printed either at the top left corner (under the bank's logo) or directly above the account number box alongside the branch contact address.

Did my IFSC code change after bank mergers? ▼

Yes. Following the major public sector bank mergers (e.g. Syndicate Bank merging into Canara Bank, Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank, Oriental Bank/United Bank into PNB), old IFSC codes were permanently discontinued. Customers must use the newly mapped IFSC code of the anchor bank for all transactions.

IFSC Code & Bank Branch Finder

Major Indian Bank IFSC Prefixes (First 4 Letters)

How an 11-Character IFSC Code Is Structured

Payment Modes: NEFT vs. RTGS vs. IMPS

Frequently Asked Questions

State Bank of India

Need to share bank branch codes quickly?