The Indian Financial System Code (IFSC), is a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code that is used for online fund transfer transactions done via NEFT, RTGS and IMPS. You can find the IFSC code on the cheque leaf that is provided by the bank. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) assigns the IFSC codes to the bank. Apart from the cheque leaf, you can also find the IFSC code on the official website of the bank and the RBI.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a 9-digit code that helps identify a particular bank branch that is part of the Electronic Clearing System (ECS). This code can be found on the cheque leaf that is issued by the bank and is generally printed on the passbook that is issued to the account holder.
The main purpose of the MICR code is to clear cheques that are deposited in machines. The code helps in avoiding errors as well.
We need an IFSC code because it helps the RBI monitor all banking transactions without any blunders. A simple IFSC code can aid the RBI track, oversee, and seamlessly maintain all financial transactions that are carried out via NEFT, RTGS and IMPS.
For bank customers, IFSC code is important because most electronic fund transfers cannot be initiated unless the IFSC code of the beneficiary/payee is provided along with the bank account number.
IFSC code plays an important role when money is transferred from one account to another through methods such as IMPS, NEFT and RTGS. All these options are fundamentally concerned with inter-bank money transfer but perform this task in different ways. The common thread amongst these varied options is the bank IFSC codes system.