Indian Financial System Code, commonly known as IFSC code is an 11-digit alpha-numeric code that uniquely identifies a bank-branch regulated by Reserve Bank of India.
This code is used by electronic payment system applications such as real-time gross settlement (RTGS), NEFT and Centralised Funds Management System (CFMS). It is mandatory for fund transfers from one bank account to another. Every bank branch will have a unique code and no two branches, even of the same bank will ever be the same.
In an IFSC code, the first 4 digits of the IFSC represent the bank and last 6 characters represent the branch. The 5th character is zero.
Example of IFSC
For HDFC Bank 11-digit IFSC code, the first four letters will be ‘HDFC’, and the last 6 digits will represent specific branch code. For example, the IFSC code of the HDFC Bank, Kangeyam branch is HDFC0002190. Here, 002190 is the branch code.
