National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) is the most common and widely used method of transferring lump sum amounts between different bank accounts in India. Regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, NEFT allows individual customers to experience a seamless transaction process, making it the preferred choice for businesses and individuals.
Different banks might charge fees based on the transaction amount and whether it is initiated offline or online. Properly understanding these charges is crucial for effectively managing finances and avoiding penalty charges.
Continue reading this blog to gain detailed insights about NEFT transfer charges, features, and benefits.
No charges are applicable for individuals on the receiving end of an NEFT transfer. Moreover, no NEFT charges are applicable on transactions carried out online through internet banking or mobile banking channels. If you are, however, responsible for initiating a fund transfer, paying specific fees is a must to facilitate the transfer.
Here are the NEFT transfer fees and charges applicable:
NEFT charges vary from one bank to another and should be verified with the bank before transferring. For instance, some banks may charge ₹2.5 for transfers up to ₹10,000, while others may charge ₹2.5 with taxes. Considering the account type, some banks also end up waiving the fees for a certain number of NEFT transfers in a month.
NEFT charges vary from one bank to another in India. The transaction amount and policies of respective banks influence them. However, many banks offer free NEFT transactions for online banking. The Reserve Bank of India has made it mandatory to charge reasonable fees for the widespread use of digital payments. Correctly understanding the NEFT charges is essential for cost-effective fund transfers.
The table below highlights the NEFT charges applicable for different banks in India:
Name of the Bank | Minimum NEFT Charges | Maximum NEFT Charges |
HDFC Bank | ₹2 + GST | ₹10 + GST |
Axis Bank | ₹2.50 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
ICICI Bank | ₹2.50 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
IndusInd Bank | ₹2.5 + GST | ₹50 + GST |
Canara Bank | ₹2.25 + GST | ₹24.75 + GST |
Union Bank of India | ₹2.5 + taxes | ₹25 + taxes |
State Bank of India (SBI) | ₹2 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
Bank of India | ₹2.5 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
Federal Bank | ₹2.5 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
South Indian Bank | ₹1.25 + GST | ₹22 + GST |
Yes Bank | ₹2.5 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
Kotak Mahindra Bank | ₹2.5 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
Bandhan Bank | ₹2 + GST | ₹14 + GST |
Central Bank of India | ₹2.5 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
Bank of Baroda | ₹2.50 + GST | ₹25 + GST |
Carrying out a NEFT transaction is a simple and hassle-free process. For successfully conducting an NEFT transaction via a bank branch, here is a detailed step-by-step guide you should follow:
Once you complete these steps, the bank will proceed with payment authorisation. You can also transfer funds via your bank’s internet or mobile banking facilities.
NEFT is a secure and convenient method of transferring lump sum funds online between banks in India. Businesses and individuals can easily transfer money with NEFT, which is usually processed in batches. Opting for NEFT will be ideal if you are looking for small—to medium-sized transfers.
Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to follow for transferring funds through NEFT online:
Transferring funds offline is a simple and hassle-free procedure. Here is the detailed step guide to follow for initiating your NEFT transfer offline or by visiting the respective bank branch:
Individuals, businesses, and corporations with bank accounts can choose NEFT services. Individuals without bank accounts can also deposit their funds at any nearby ATM branch with NEFT-enabled services. In this scenario, they receive a unique NEFT code confirming their transaction.
Similarly, any individual or business can receive payments through NEFT. The NEFT system assists in transferring lump sum amounts between India and Nepal. It also helps convert the transferred amount from Indian Rupees to Nepalese Rupees to facilitate cross-border transactions.
To transfer funds, individuals or businesses need an account with a bank participating in the NEFT ecosystem. Funds can be transferred only to those individuals and entities having an account with an NEFT-enabled bank. The full list of NEFT-participating banks can be found on RBI’s website.
NEFT services are a reliable and convenient method of transferring lump sum funds electronically. The Reserve Bank of India imposes no charges for carrying out NEFT transactions. However, individual banks might have set their fees and charges within limits. This NEFT service is available throughout India and can be used widely to pay several transactions, such as EMIs or credit card bills. In usual cases, there are no charges applicable for NEFT transactions through online mode.
The benefits of NEFT are as follows:
With NEFT, individual bank customers can pay their due credit card bills through this platform as and when required. Moreover, the NEFT system allows bank customers to make payments directly to credit card companies through different transaction codes. To make further payments, you must enter this code and the bank’s IFSC code. You can get this information from your bank’s website or local branch.
NEFT payments usually take place in hourly batches. Thus, considering how the bank functions, your beneficiary expects to receive the payment within a defined period. Here is a detailed overview of the process that takes place while authorising an NEFT payment:
Once all participants from the sender’s and beneficiary’s banks to service centres complete the above steps, an NEFT transfer occurs.
Anyone with a bank account at a bank participating in the NEFT network can use NEFT to transfer funds, including individuals, businesses, and corporations.
NEFT is a cornerstone of India’s digital banking ecosystem in this digital era. It has significantly changed how we transfer funds by maintaining high security and convenience. Moreover, most banks have waived charges for online transactions, making NEFT very cost-effective. Offline transactions, however, are subject to nominal fees. Keeping yourself informed is essential for effective utilisation of this service.
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