How many types of money transfers are there in India?

The Money Transfer is a part of the Banking Awareness/ General Awareness topics, mostly asked in the Bank Exams. Knowledge of this topic will help you clear the General Awareness Section in the exam. If you are a banking aspirant, you must have a crystal clear knowledge of banking terms. Questions about different types of money transfers are frequently asked in the exam. There are various types of money transfer facilities provided by the banks. Therefore, it becomes an important topic, and the candidates need to gain a thorough knowledge of this topic. Continue reading below to know all the important information about the different types of money transfers in India.

Types of Money Transfers: Overview

The Money Transfer in India is controlled by an umbrella organisation called the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). The money transfer is a part of the general awareness topic, which is also related to our daily life. The Money transfer topic includes learning about different methods to transfer money domestically or internationally. The different modes of transferring funds involve understanding basic terms such as NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, Cheque, SWIFT, IFSC, UPI, and other conventional methods such as Money Order, Instant Money Order, Electronic Clearance Service, and Mobile Money Transfer. It also includes terms such as Rupay, NACH, ABPS, AePS, and NFS.

A Brief Introduction to NPCI

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. It has been established to create a wider Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India. NPCI, during its journey, has made a greater impact on the retail payment systems in the country. The ten main promoter banks of NPCI are State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, ICICI Bank Limited, HDFC Bank Limited, Citibank N. A. and HSBC. The shareholding was broad-based to 56 member banks in 2016. It includes more banks representing all sectors. In 2020, new entities regulated by the RBI were introduced. It consists of payment service operators, payment banks, small finance banks, etc. 

Different Types of Money Transfers in India

In India, various methods are utilized for the transfer of money. These methods facilitate the movement of funds across different bank accounts. NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and UPI are used mainly for domestic transfers, whereas cash transfers, cheque payments, and digital wallets offer an alternative option for moving funds. The money transfer methods are divided here such that first we understand the most used methods, and then we understand the conventional methods of transferring money. The different types of money transfers and important terms related to money transfer in India are explained below.

Most Used Methods of Money Transfer in India

The most used methods include NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, and Cheque. These are explained in detail below.

1. NEFT

NEFT is an electronic payment system developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that enables individuals, firms, and corporates to transfer funds from one bank account to another across India securely and efficiently.

Key Features of NEFT:

Feature	Details
Full Form	National Electronic Funds Transfer
Operated By	Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Availability	24x7x365 (including weekends and bank holidays)
Settlement Type	Half-hourly batches (from Dec 2019 onwards)
Mode	Online via internet/mobile banking or at bank branches
Transaction Type	Domestic fund transfer only
Minimum Amount	₹1
Maximum Amount	No upper limit (subject to bank limits)
Charges	No charges for online NEFT; banks may levy minimal charges for branch transactions

How NEFT Works:

1. Initiation: The Sender initiates transfer through online banking or by visiting a bank branch.
2. Batch Processing: RBI processes transactions in half-hourly batches.
3. Credit to Beneficiary: Funds are credited to the recipient’s account once processed.
4. Confirmation: Both sender and receiver get SMS/email confirmation if enabled.

2. RTGS

The RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) is a payment system that enables instant and final settlement of large-value funds transfers between banks on a real-time and gross basis. It is used for high-value transactions that require immediate clearing.

Key Features of RTGS:

1. Real-Time

• Transactions are processed immediately as they are initiated.
• No waiting period or queue.

2. Gross Settlement

• Transactions are settled individually, not bundled or netted with other transactions.
• The full amount is transferred without deductions.

3. Final and Irrevocable

• Once processed, the payment cannot be reversed.
• Considered final settlement by central banks.

Typical Use Cases:

• Large-value interbank transfers.
• Corporate transactions requiring speed and finality.
• Government and financial market settlements.

How RTGS Works:

1. A customer requests a high-value transfer via their bank.
2. The bank forwards the request to the central RTGS system (usually operated by a central bank like the Reserve Bank of India or the Federal Reserve).
3. The central system verifies, debits the sender’s bank, and credits the receiver’s bank.
4. The beneficiary bank receives the funds and credits the beneficiary’s account.

3. IMPS

The IMPS was launched by NPCI in 2010 as a pilot project. The IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) is an instant, interbank electronic fund transfer, a 24*7 service that allows users to send or receive money using mobile numbers, account details, or UPI. It is available 365 days, including Sundays and holidays.

Key Features of IMPS:

Feature	Details
Availability	24×7, 365 days
Speed	Instant money transfer
Transfer Limit	Usually ₹1 – ₹5 lakh (bank dependent)
Security	End-to-end encrypted, highly secure
Modes	Mobile number + MMID, Account number + IFSC, UPI

How to Use IMPS:

Example via Internet/Mobile Banking:

1. Log in to mobile/internet banking.
2. Select “IMPS Transfer.”
3. Choose between:
   • Mobile No. + MMID
   • Account No. + IFSC
   • UPI ID
4. Enter recipient details and amount.
5. Confirm and authenticate using OTP or MPIN.
6. Transaction is processed instantly.

4. UPI

The UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that allows users to instantly transfer money across bank accounts using a mobile phone. It works 24*7 and is the most widely used digital payment method in India.

Key Features of UPI:

Feature	Details
Availability	24×7, 365 days including holidays
Speed	Instant transfer of funds
Amount Limit	Up to ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh per transaction (depends on the bank/app)
Interoperability	Works across all banks and UPI-enabled apps
Security	Two-factor authentication (mobile + MPIN)
Platform	Mobile apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM, etc.

How to Use UPI:

1. Download any UPI-enabled app (e.g., PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM).
2. Link your bank account.
3. Create a UPI ID and set a 4/6-digit MPIN.
4. Use the UPI ID or scan QR code to send/receive money.
5. Authenticate with your MPIN to complete the transaction.

5. Cheque

A cheque is a written order instructing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from a person’s account to the person or entity named on the cheque. It is a traditional, non-digital method of making payments.

Parties involved in a Cheque:

Role	Description
Drawer	The person who writes the cheque (account holder)
Drawee	The bank where the drawer holds an account
Payee	The person to whom the payment is to be made

Key Features of a Cheque:

• It must be written and signed by the drawer.
• It must include:
  • Date
  • Payee’s name
  • Amount in words and figures
  • Drawer’s signature
• Valid for 3 months from the date mentioned on it.
• Can be cancelled by the drawer before it is cleared.

Types of Cheques:

Type	Description
Bearer Cheque	Payable to the person holding (bearing) the cheque
Order Cheque	Payable only to the named person or party
Crossed Cheque	Cannot be encashed; must be deposited into a bank account (// mark)
Post-dated Cheque	Dated for a future day; can’t be encashed before that date
Stale Cheque	Presented after 3 months of the issue date; invalid
Blank Cheque	Signed by drawer but with no amount/date filled
Cancelled Cheque	A cheque that has been crossed and marked “Cancelled”; used for verification

How to Write a Cheque (Correctly):

1. Write the date on the top right (DD/MM/YYYY).
2. Mention the name of the payee clearly.
3. Write the amount in words (e.g., “Rupees Ten Thousand Only”).
4. Write the amount in numbers in the box (e.g., “Rs. 10000”).
5. Sign at the bottom right with your official signature.
6. Draw lines after the written amount to prevent alteration.
7. Do not leave blank spaces.

6. IFSC

IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) is an 11-character alphanumeric code used to identify individual bank branches for electronic money transfers like NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS in India.

Structure of IFSC Code:

Example: SBIN0001234

• First 4 letters: Bank name (e.g., SBIN = State Bank of India)
• 5th character: Always 0 (reserved for future use)
• Last 6 digits: Branch code

Conventional Methods of Money Transfer in India

The most conventional methods of money transfer include Money Order, Instant Money Order, Electronic Clearance Service, and Mobile Money Transfer. These are explained in detail below.

1. Money Order

A Money Order is a financial instrument used to send money securely from one person to another through a postal or financial service. It is a prepaid, paper-based method commonly used when the sender or receiver does not have a bank account.

2. Instant Money Order

Instant Money Order (IMO) is a fast, electronic money transfer service offered by India Post, allowing people to send money quickly to any individual across India through post offices.

3. Electronic Clearance Service

Electronic Clearance Service (ECS) is an electronic mode of transferring bulk payments or receipts from one bank account to multiple accounts. It is mainly used for automated transactions, such as salary payments, dividends, pension, EMI deductions, or utility bill collections.

4. Mobile Money Transfer

Mobile Money Transfer refers to the electronic transfer of funds from one person to another using a mobile phone, without the need for a traditional bank account or visiting a bank.

How Mobile Money Transfer is used:

• Uses mobile apps, SMS, or USSD codes
• Works via UPI, wallets, or mobile banking services
• Available 24×7, even in remote areas
• Can be used to send, receive, or store money, pay bills, and recharge

Examples:

• UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm
• Mobile wallets like MobiKwik, Airtel Money
• USSD-based banking (e.g., *99# service) for feature phones
• International mobile money (e.g., M-Pesa)

Important Terms Related to Money Transfer in India

The important terms apart from the money transfer methods are discussed here. These include the terms that are highlighted on the website of NPCI. These terms are such as: Rupay, NACH, ABPS, AePS, and NFS.

1. Rupay

RuPay is an Indigenously developed Payment System – designed to meet the expectations and needs of the Indian consumer, banks, and merchant ecosystem. RuPay supports the issuance of debit, credit, and prepaid cards by banks in India and thereby supports the growth of retail electronic payments in India.

2. NACH

National Automated Clearing House (NACH) is an offline web-based system for bulk push and pull transactions. NACH provides an electronic mandate platform to register mandates, facilitating a paperless collection process for corporates and banks. It provides for both account-based and Aadhaar-based transactions.

3. ABPS

The Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) System is helping the government and government agencies make direct benefit transfers for various central and state-sponsored schemes.

4. AePS

To access these funds at the doorstep & drive financial inclusion in India, an Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) has been introduced. Since its inception, it has become instrumental in increasing the accessibility of basic banking services in underserved areas. To extend the convenience of biometrics to merchant payments, BHIM Aadhaar has been launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

5. NFS

National Financial Switch (NFS) is the largest network of shared Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in India, facilitating interoperable cash withdrawal, card-to-card funds transfer, and interoperable cash deposit transactions, among other value-added services in the country.

6. Bharat Bill Payment System

Bharat Bill Payment System is offering a one-stop bill payment solution for all recurring payments with 200+ Billers in the categories Viz. Electricity, gas, water, telecom, DTH, loan repayments, insurance, FASTag recharge, cable, etc., are available across India.

7. NETC

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has developed the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program to meet the electronic tolling requirements of the Indian market.

It provides an electronic payment facility for customers to make payments at national, state and city toll plazas by identifying the vehicle uniquely through a FASTag. FASTags are Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) stickers that are affixed to the vehicle windshield and enable the driver to make toll payments electronically while the vehicle is in motion without stopping at the Toll plazas by saving fuel and time.

Difference Between Various Money Transfer methods

NEFT Vs RTGS Vs IMPS: Know the basic difference

Feature	NEFT	RTGS	IMPS
Settlement	Half-hourly batch	Real-time	Real-time
Minimum Amt	₹1	₹2 Lakhs	₹1
Maximum Amt	No Limit	No Limit	Usually ₹5 Lakhs
Availability	24×7	24×7	24×7
Ideal For	Regular transfers	High-value transactions	Instant small transfers

UPI vs other payment modes: Know the basic differences

Feature	UPI	IMPS	NEFT	RTGS
Transfer Speed	Instant	Instant	30 min – 2 hrs	Real-time (high value)
Availability	24×7	24×7	24×7	Business hours only
Min Amount	₹1	₹1	₹1	₹2 lakh
Max Amount	₹1–5 lakh*	₹5 lakh*	No limit	No limit
Platform	Mobile apps	Mobile/Online	Internet banking	Internet banking

Cheque Vs other payment methods:

Feature	Cheque	UPI	NEFT/RTGS	Cash
Speed	1–3 days	Instant	30 mins–2 hrs	Immediate
Cost	Usually free	Mostly free	Nominal fee	No fee
Safety	Risk of bounce/fraud	Highly secure	Secure	Risk of theft
Physical Form	Yes	No	No	Yes

Summary

Money Transfer is an important topic that is frequently asked in the bank exams. The banking exam aspirants must know about the most commonly used money transfer methods in India. Learn about the different types of money transfers in India and their detailed explanation. Also, learn the comparison of different payment systems that are frequently used. Make notes of the information provided to you. Revise and recall the concepts learned about money transfers in India.

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How many types of money transfers are there in India?: FAQs