Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, IFSC codes are case-sensitive. The 11-character code must be entered exactly as provided by the bank, which is always in uppercase letters. For example, using "sbin" instead of "SBIN" for a State Bank of India branch would be incorrect and would fail the transaction.

Entering a wrong IFSC code can have a few outcomes depending on the error:

• Invalid Code: If the code format is wrong or doesn't exist, the transaction will be rejected immediately.
• Wrong Branch: If the IFSC is for a different branch, the transaction will likely fail because the receiving bank won't find the account number at that branch. The money will be returned to your account, usually within 2-24 hours.

Always double-check the IFSC code to avoid delays.

This is a common concern. In modern banking systems, a mismatch between the IFSC code's branch and the account number's registered branch will cause the transaction to fail. The funds will be automatically reversed to the sender's account. There is very little risk of the money going to a wrong person in this specific scenario.

No, but they are related. The branch code is the last six characters of the IFSC code. The full 11-character IFSC code is required for online fund transfers (like NEFT, RTGS, IMPS), as it contains both the bank identifier and the specific branch code.

An IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) is a unique 11-character alphanumeric code that identifies a specific bank branch in India. It is crucial for online money transfers because it ensures the funds are routed to the correct destination branch.

Yes. Every single bank branch in the country has its own unique IFSC code. This is essential for distinguishing between the thousands of branches, even within the same bank and city.

Yes, an IFSC code can change. This typically happens if a bank merges with another bank or if a branch is relocated. It's always a good practice to verify the IFSC code before making a transaction, especially if you haven't sent money to that account recently.

An IFSC code is always 11 characters long. The format is:

• First 4 characters: Alphabetic (identifies the bank, e.g., HDFC)
• Fifth character: Always a 0 (zero).
• Last 6 characters: Alphanumeric (identifies the specific branch).

IFSC and MICR codes serve different purposes. IFSC is used for routing online electronic fund transfers. MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) is a 9-digit code used for processing physical cheques more efficiently.

The most reliable sources are your bank-issued cheque book or your bank's net banking portal. For convenience, you can use our IFSC Code Finder tool, which provides up-to-date codes for every bank branch in India.

No, you do not need an IFSC code for standard UPI transactions. UPI payments use a Virtual Payment Address (VPA), like 'yourname@okhdfcbank', which is linked to your bank account internally.