IFSC Code Lookup

What is an IFSC?

IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) is an 11-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a bank branch for electronic transfers. Format: 4-letter bank code + 0 + 6-character branch code. For example, HDFC0000123 = HDFC Bank, branch 000123. The 5th character is always 0 (reserved for future use by RBI).

When you need an IFSC

• Adding a beneficiary for NEFT / RTGS / IMPS transfers
• Receiving salary credit from an employer
• Filing income tax — refund directly to your bank requires IFSC
• EPF withdrawal — IFSC of your bank account
• Setting up auto-debit / mandates (NACH, eNACH)
• Inward foreign remittance — your bank's SWIFT plus IFSC is now standard

IFSC vs MICR vs SWIFT — when each is needed

• IFSC — electronic transfers within India (NEFT, RTGS, IMPS).
• MICR — 9-digit code printed on cheques, used for cheque truncation / clearing. Still printed on your cheque book but rarely needed for online transfers.
• SWIFT / BIC — international wire transfers. Most public-sector banks use one SWIFT code per city, not per branch.

IFSC after bank mergers — caveats

Several bank mergers in 2019–2021 changed IFSC codes for crores of accounts: SBI absorbed associate banks, PNB merged with OBC and United Bank, BoB took over Vijaya and Dena, Canara merged with Syndicate, Indian Bank merged with Allahabad, Union Bank absorbed Corporation and Andhra Bank. The old IFSC codes were eventually retired and replaced. Always re-verify the IFSC if you haven't used a payee since mid-2021. Cheque books with the old code are still valid for a transition window — check with your branch.

How we look up data

We call the open Razorpay IFSC API (ifsc.razorpay.com), which keeps data synchronised against RBI's master list. We do not store your queries, and your IP isn't logged. For data confidence in finance or compliance workflows, cross-check against the official RBI list at rbi.org.in.

Related tools

To validate a UPI ID before paying, use the UPI ID validator. To validate a PAN (which banks ask for on every account opening), see the PAN validator.