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As available on the website of RBI. For updated information on NEFT/RTGS, please visit  http://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/FAQView.aspx?Id=60

Q.1. What is NEFT System?

Ans : National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system is a nation wide funds transfer system to facilitate transfer of funds from any bank branch to any other bank branch.

Q.2. Whether the system is centre specific or has any geographical restriction?

Ans : No, there is no restriction of centres or of any geographical area inside the country. The system uses the concept of centralised accounting system and the bank's account, that are sending or receiving the funds transfer instructions, gets operated at one centre, viz, Mumbai only. The individual branches participating in NEFT could be located anywhere across the country, as detailed in the list provided on our website.

Q.3. What is the funds availability schedule for the beneficiary?

Ans : The beneficiary gets the credit on the same Day or the next Day depending on the time of settlement.

Q.4. How does the NEFT system operate?

Step-1: The remitter fills in the NEFT Application form giving the particulars of the beneficiary (bank-branch, beneficiary's name, account type and account number) and authorises the branch to remit the specified amount to the beneficiary by raising a debit to the remitter's account. (This can also be done by using net banking services offered by some of the banks.)

Step-2: The remitting branch prepares a Structured Financial Messaging Solution (SFMS) message and sends it to its Service Centre for NEFT.

Step-3: The Service Centre forwards the same to the local RBI (National Clearing Cell, Mumbai) to be included for the next available settlement. Presently, NEFT is settled in six batches at 0900, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1500 and 1700 hours on weekdays and 0900, 1100 and 1200 hours on Saturdays

Step-4: The RBI at the clearing centre sorts the transactions bank-wise and prepares accounting entries of net debit or credit for passing on to the banks participating in the system. Thereafter, bank-wise remittance messages are transmitted to banks.

Step-5: The receiving banks process the remittance messages received from RBI and effect the credit to the beneficiaries' accounts.

Q.5. What about Processing Charges/Service Charges

Ans : While RBI has waived the processing charges till March 31, 2009. With a view to rationalize the service charges levied by banks for offering various electronic products, a broad framework has been mandated as under: –

a) Inward transactions – Free, no charge to be levied
b) Outward transactions –
Upto Rs. 1 lakh -  not exceeding Rs.5 per transaction.
Rs. 1 lakh and above – not exceeding Rs. 25 per transaction.

Q.6. How  will I know which are the branches participating in the NEFT?

Ans : RBI publishes the list of bank branches participating in the NEFT on its website i.e. https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx

Q.7. What is IFS Code (IFSC)? How it is different from MICR code?

Ans : Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is an alpha numeric code designed to uniquely identify the bank-branches in India. This is 11 digit code with first 4 characters representing the banks code, the next character reserved as control character (Presently 0 appears in the fifth position) and remaining 6 characters to identify the branch. The MICR code has 9 digits to identify the bank-branch.

Q.8. How I will know, what is the IFS Code of my bank-branch?

Ans : RBI had since advised all the banks to print IFSC on cheques leaves issued to their customers. You may also contact your bank-branch and get the IFS Code of that branch.

Q.9. Is it necessary to have a bank account to originate the NEFT transaction?

Ans : Yes, NEFT is an account to account funds transfer system.

Q.10. Is it necessary that the beneficiary should have an account at the destination bank-branch?

Ans : Yes, NEFT is an account to account funds transfer system.

Q.11. Can I receive foreign remittances through NEFT?

Ans : This system can be used only for remitting Indian Rupee among the participating banks within the country.

Q.12. Till what time NEFT service window is available?

Ans : There are six settlements at 0900, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1500 and 1700 hours on weekdays and 0900, 1100 and 1200 hours on Saturdays.

Q.13. What is the essential information that the remitting customer would have to furnish for the remittance to be effected?

Ans : The essential information that the remitting customer has to furnish is:

• Beneficiary details such as beneficiary name and account number
• Name and IFSC of the beneficiary bank branch.

Q.14. Is there any way a remitting customer can track the remittance transaction?

Ans : The remitting customer can track the remitting transaction through the remitting branch only, as the remitting branch is informed about the status of the remitted transactions.