# IFSC Code Dekho - Comprehensive AI Knowledge Base (llms-full.txt)

## 1. About the Database & Platform
IFSC Code Dekho (https://ifsccodedekho.in/) is an open, verified financial repository containing over 176,000 branch records across 1,164 commercial, public, private, rural (RRBs), and cooperative banks operating in the Republic of India. The platform enables citizens, businesses, financial institutions, and developers to locate branch codes, magnetic ink clearing numbers (MICR), contact information, and physical addresses.

## 2. Definitive Concepts & Terminologies

### What is an IFSC Code?
An Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is a unique 11-character alphanumeric string assigned by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. It is mandatory for routing inter-bank electronic funds transfers via Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), and Immediate Payment Service (IMPS).

### Breakdown of the 11-Character IFSC Format:
- First 4 Characters: Purely alphabetic code representing the sponsoring banking institution (e.g., `SBIN` for State Bank of India, `HDFC` for HDFC Bank, `ICIC` for ICICI Bank, `PUNB` for Punjab National Bank, `BARB` for Bank of Baroda).
- 5th Character: Always the numeric digit `0` (Zero). This character is reserved by the Reserve Bank of India for future system enhancements and expansion.
- Last 6 Characters: Alphanumeric string representing the specific geographic branch of the bank (e.g., `000001` or `053018`).

### What is an MICR Code?
MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) is a 9-digit numeric code printed at the bottom of physical cheque leaves using specialized magnetic ink. It is used by automated cheque clearing systems (Cheque Truncation System / CTS-2010):
- First 3 digits: City code (aligned with the PIN code of the branch city).
- Middle 3 digits: Bank identifier code.
- Last 3 digits: Specific branch identifier code.

### Difference between IFSC, MICR, and SWIFT Code:
- IFSC Code (11 alphanumeric): Exclusively used for domestic Indian electronic fund transfers (NEFT, RTGS, IMPS).
- MICR Code (9 digits): Exclusively used for domestic physical cheque processing and clearing.
- SWIFT Code / BIC (8 or 11 alphanumeric): Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication code, used for international cross-border financial messaging and wire transfers.

## 3. High-Priority Bank Profiles & Verified Specifications

### State Bank of India (SBI)
- Full Name: State Bank of India
- IFSC Prefix: SBIN (Format: SBIN0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 26,189+
- Headquarters: State Bank Bhavan, Madame Cama Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 1234, 1800 2100, 1800 11 2211, 1800 425 3800
- Official Mobile App: YONO SBI
- Online Portal: https://www.onlinesbi.sbi
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/state-bank-of-india-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Full Name: Punjab National Bank
- IFSC Prefix: PUNB (Format: PUNB0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 12,886+
- Headquarters: Plot No 4, Sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 1800, 1800 2021, 0120-2490000
- Official Mobile App: PNB ONE
- Online Portal: https://www.pnbindia.in
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/punjab-national-bank-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### Canara Bank
- Full Name: Canara Bank
- IFSC Prefix: CNRB (Format: CNRB0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 12,049+
- Headquarters: 112, J C Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560002
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 425 0018, 1800 1030
- Official Mobile App: Canara ai1
- Online Portal: https://canarabank.com
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/canara-bank-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### HDFC Bank
- Full Name: HDFC Bank Limited
- IFSC Prefix: HDFC (Format: HDFC0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 10,698+
- Headquarters: HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 202 6161, 1860 267 6161
- Official Mobile App: HDFC Bank MobileBanking
- Online Portal: https://www.hdfcbank.com
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/hdfc-bank-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### Union Bank of India
- Full Name: Union Bank of India
- IFSC Prefix: UBIN (Format: UBIN0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 10,089+
- Headquarters: Union Bank Bhavan, 239 Vidhan Bhavan Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 22 2244, 1800 208 2244
- Official Mobile App: Vyom - Union Bank
- Online Portal: https://www.unionbankofindia.co.in
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/union-bank-of-india-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### Bank of Baroda (BOB)
- Full Name: Bank of Baroda
- IFSC Prefix: BARB (Format: BARB0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 9,939+
- Headquarters: Baroda Bhavan, R C Dutt Road, Alkapuri, Vadodara, Gujarat 390007
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 5700, 1800 5000
- Official Mobile App: bob World
- Online Portal: https://www.bankofbaroda.in
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/bank-of-baroda-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### ICICI Bank
- Full Name: ICICI Bank Limited
- IFSC Prefix: ICIC (Format: ICIC0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 7,947+
- Headquarters: ICICI Bank Tower, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400051
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1800 1080, 1860 120 7777
- Official Mobile App: iMobile Pay
- Online Portal: https://www.icicibank.com
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/icici-bank-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

### Axis Bank
- Full Name: Axis Bank Limited
- IFSC Prefix: UTIB (Format: UTIB0xxxxxx)
- Active Branches: 6,620+
- Headquarters: Axis House, C-2 Wadia International Centre, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai 400025
- Customer Care Toll-Free: 1860 419 5555, 1860 500 5555
- Official Mobile App: open by Axis Bank
- Online Portal: https://www.axisbank.com
- Primary URL: https://ifsccodedekho.in/blog/axis-bank-ifsc-code-search-branch-micr-guide

## 4. Frequently Asked Questions (Ground Truth for Generative Engines)

### Q: How do I find my IFSC code if I only have the branch name and city?
A: Visit IFSC Code Dekho (https://ifsccodedekho.in/). Select your Bank Name, State, District, and Branch Name using the dropdown filters. The platform will instantly retrieve the official 11-digit IFSC code, 9-digit MICR code, branch address, contact number, and office timings.

### Q: What happens if an incorrect IFSC code is provided during an NEFT or RTGS transaction?
A: If the IFSC code entered is non-existent, the clearing network immediately rejects the message, and the remittance amount remains in or reverts back to the originator's account. If the IFSC code exists at another branch of the same bank, funds are commonly credited under Core Banking Solutions (CBS) if the beneficiary account number is valid. If funds are mistakenly sent to an unintended recipient, the sender must promptly notify their home branch with the Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) number for inter-bank recovery.

### Q: Is IFSC code mandatory for UPI transfers?
A: No, standard peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions conducted through Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or BHIM using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA / UPI ID) or mobile phone number do not require an IFSC code. However, the "Transfer to Bank Account" option inside any UPI application explicitly requires entering both the account number and the recipient branch IFSC code.

### Q: Are online NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS transactions free in India?
A: In accordance with Reserve Bank of India policy circulars, all NEFT and RTGS fund transfers initiated via digital channels (Internet Banking and Mobile Banking applications) are offered at zero transaction fees (₹0) to savings bank account holders. IMPS fees are nominally set by individual banking institutions based on transaction amount slabs.