What is an IFSC code and where do you find it?
IFSC stands for Indian Financial System Code. It is an 11-character code, given by the Reserve Bank of India, that names one branch of one bank. When you send money to a bank account by NEFT, RTGS or IMPS, the IFSC tells the payment system which bank and branch the account belongs to.
What the 11 characters mean
| Part | Example: HDFC0000123 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Characters 1 to 4 | HDFC | The bank. Always four letters. |
| Character 5 | 0 | Always the digit zero. It is kept for future use. |
| Characters 6 to 11 | 000123 | The branch. Usually digits, sometimes letters. |
A common mistake is to type the letter O in the fifth place. It is always the digit zero. Our checker corrects this for you.
Where to find your IFSC code
- Cheque book: printed on every cheque leaf, usually near the branch address at the top.
- Passbook: on the first page, with your account number and branch address.
- Bank statement: in the header of the statement, paper or PDF.
- Bank app or net banking: under account details or profile.
- This site: choose your bank, then the state and the branch.
When do you need it?
- To add someone as a beneficiary for NEFT, RTGS or IMPS.
- To give your own account details to an employer, a client, the income tax department (for refunds) or a mutual fund.
- To fill forms for loans, insurance, subsidies and scholarships that pay into your account.
You do not need an IFSC code to pay by UPI to a mobile number or UPI ID, or to pay by card.
What happens if the IFSC code is wrong?
- The code does not exist: the bank refuses the payment and nothing leaves your account.
- Right bank, wrong branch: the money usually still reaches the right account, because banks credit by account number. It may be delayed.
- Another bank's code: if that bank has no such account number, the money comes back in a few working days. If the number happens to exist there, the money can reach a stranger. Tell your bank at once, in writing; the bank will ask the other bank to request the money back, but it cannot be taken back without the receiver's consent.
Does the IFSC code change?
Yes, sometimes. When banks merge, the branches of the merged bank get new IFSC codes of the bank that took them over, and the old codes stop working after a notice period. This happened to many public sector bank branches after the mergers of 2019 and 2020. If a payment to an old code fails, ask the account holder for the new code or look up the branch under the new bank's name.
Questions
Is the IFSC code secret?
No. It is public, like a PIN code of a post office. Sharing your account number and IFSC lets people pay you; it does not let them take money out. Never share your OTP, PIN, card number or passwords.
Is the IFSC code the same as the branch code?
The branch code is the last six characters of the IFSC code. Some bank forms ask for it separately.
Do payments banks and small banks have IFSC codes?
Yes. Payments banks often use one code for all customers. Many small co-operative banks use a code that begins with the letters of a larger bank, because they send and receive payments through that bank.
Last checked: 2026-11-11.