When you go to send money to a bank account in India, chances are, you’re going to be asked for an IFSC. Similar to a routing number in the U.S. or a SWIFT code used to send money internationally, an IFSC identifies the specific bank branch that should receive an electronic money transfer.
Read on to learn more about what an IFSC is and how to find an IFSC when you need one.
Key takeaways
- An Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is an 11-character code that directs electronic money transfers to the correct bank branch in India.
- IFSCs include four letters that identify the receiving bank, a zero, and six characters that identify the specific branch of the bank.
- IFSC codes are listed on checks and bank statements, in online banking portals, on bank websites, and on the Reserve Bank of India’s official site.
- An IFSC code routes wire transfers to the correct bank branch in India, while SWIFT codes identify the receiving bank, country, and sometimes branch of transfers in over 200 countries.
- Western Union makes it easy to send money to India. Recipients can receive the money via bank transfer or cash at a physical pickup location.
What is an IFSC code?
An Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is an 11-character alphanumeric code that’s used to facilitate electronic fund transfers in India, including those processed on the National Electronics Funds Transfer (NEFT) network, the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), and the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system. It identifies both the bank and the exact branch of the recipient.
Structure
Every IFSC code follows the same pattern (XXXX0YYYYYY):
- First four characters: Four letters that identify the bank.
- Fifth character: A placeholder reserved for future use, which is currently the number zero.
- Last six characters: Six characters (letters, numbers, or a combination of characters) that identify the specific branch of a bank.
Examples
What does an actual IFSC look like? Here are a few examples from the different branches of the Punjab National Bank (PNB).
| Bank Branch Address | IFSC | Breakdown |
| SHOP NO. 1, 2, 12 TO 14, PANCHSHEEL ARCADE, PLOT NO.32, SECTOR 5 AIROLI NAVI MUMBAI | PUNB0589400 | PUNB identifies Punjab National Bank, 0 is the placeholder, and 589400 identifies the branch. |
| SECTOR 11, PLOT NO.29, CBD BELAPUR, NAVI MUMBAI | PUNB0413800 | PUNB identifies Punjab National Bank, 0 is the placeholder, and 413800 identifies the branch. |
The first five digits will be the same for all branches of the same bank. However, the last six digits will vary for each branch.
When do you need an IFSC code for transfers?
You’ll need an IFSC code when sending an electronic bank transfer to a bank account in India, whether the transfer is domestic or international.
Money transfer service providers will typically request both the recipient’s IFSC and their bank account number, along with the purpose of the transaction. Some service providers, like Western Union, have IFSC code look-up tools that can help you find IFSCs if you don’t have the one you need. However, it’s always good to verify it with your bank or the bank of the recipient just to make sure.
How to find your IFSC code
IFSCs can be found in a few different places, including:
- Bank account statements: The code is typically printed on the account holder’s monthly bank statement.
- Checks: Look for the 11-digit code printed at the end of the address on the bottom of the account holder’s checks.
- Bank’s website or app: Most banks provide an IFSC code finder tool on their online banking platforms.
- Contact your bank: You can directly contact a bank and ask for the IFSC code of a specific branch.
You can also look up IFSCs for all banks in India on the Reserve Bank of India’s website.
Clarifying terms: IFSC vs. Account number vs. SWIFT code
IFSC and SWIFT codes both assist in ensuring that electronic transfers get delivered to the correct bank accounts. However, they’re part of different systems and get used for different transactions.
IFSC codes are designed to enable wire transfers to bank accounts in India by identifying the recipient’s bank branch. SWIFT codes, on the other hand, are designed to identify the bank, country, and sometimes bank branch of payment recipients in over 200 countries.
IFSCs and SWIFT codes also have different structures. IFSCs are 11-digits long and identify the bank (first four letters) and branch (last six characters). SWIFT codes are eight to 11 digits and identify the bank (first four letters), country (next two letters), bank location (next two characters), and branch (optional three characters).
In short, you need an IFSC when you want to send money to India and the recipient wants to receive the money in their bank account, and you need a SWIFT code when sending money to recipients in a wide range of countries.
If you’re wondering what information you’ll need for a wire transfer to a specific country, you can review our list of bank transfer details required by country.
Send money to India with Western Union
Looking to send money to India now? Western Union has you covered. You can log into our international money transfer app or website and initiate the transfer in minutes. We’ll convert the currency, such as USD to INR, and list the fees during the transaction so you know exactly how much your recipient will receive.
Your recipient in India can then receive the funds in their bank account or via cash pickup, whichever works best for them. When sending money to a bank account, you’ll need the bank name, account number, and IFSC code. However, we can help you find the IFSC if you don’t have it.
Ready to get started? Send money to India now with Western Union!
FAQs
Learn more about IFSC codes and sending money to India.
No. Although they both help to route wire transfers to the correct bank accounts, IFSC and SWIFT codes are not the same thing. IFSC codes only identify banks and branches within India, while SWIFT codes identify banks (and sometimes branches) in over 200 countries.
When wiring money to a bank account in India, you’ll need the IFSC code of the recipient. Additionally, if you have a bank account in India where you’d like to receive a wire transfer, you’ll need to provide your IFSC code to the payor.
The code or codes you’ll need to send an international wire transfer to India will depend on the money transfer provider you use. With Western Union, you only need to provide the recipient’s account number and IFSC, along with the purpose of the transfer.
