How This IFSC Code Validator Tool Works

Every bank branch in India has a unique 11-character IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) assigned by the Reserve Bank of India. This code routes your money to the exact branch during NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS transfers.

The structure is simple but strict:

This IFSC validator tool checks the format first (11 characters, proper structure), then queries the official IFSC database maintained by the RBI and NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). If the code exists, you get the bank name, branch name, full address, city, state, and MICR code instantly.

The validation happens in your browser using the RazorpayIFSC API, which aggregates data from RBI’s official records. No data you enter is stored on any server. The lookup happens, results are displayed, and nothing is logged.

Common Questions About IFSC Code Validation

Who needs to validate IFSC codes?

Anyone making electronic transfers in India. If you’re paying vendors, transferring salary to employees, sending money to family, paying rent, or receiving payments into your account, you need the correct IFSC. Freelancers receiving international payments need it too, since foreign banks ask for IFSC when sending money to India.

Small business owners validating customer or supplier bank details use this constantly. Accountants setting up bulk payment files. HR teams onboarding new employees. Students receiving scholarships. Parents sending money to kids in college. If money is moving electronically in India, IFSC is involved.

What happens if I use an invalid IFSC code?

Your bank will reject the transaction immediately if the IFSC format is wrong (like typing 10 characters instead of 11, or using numbers where letters should be). The money stays in your account, but you’ve wasted time and you’ll need to retry with the correct code.

If the IFSC format is technically correct but doesn’t exist in the database (maybe you typed a valid-looking but non-existent code), the transaction might get stuck in processing. Some banks catch this quickly, others take 1-2 days to reject it and refund your account. During that time, the money is in limbo.

Worst case: you use an IFSC that’s valid but belongs to the wrong branch. If the account number also happens to exist at that branch (rare but possible), your money goes to the wrong person. Recovering it requires paperwork, bank intervention, and sometimes legal action.

When should I verify an IFSC code?

Before every new payee setup. If someone gives you their bank details for the first time, validate the IFSC before saving it in your banking app. This is especially critical for large amounts or recurring payments.

When bank details come via SMS, WhatsApp, or email. Typos happen during copying. Validate before using.

If you’re switching branches or banks, verify your new IFSC before giving it to people who pay you (employer, clients, etc.). Banks sometimes assign temporary IFSC codes that change after branch setup is complete.

After any bank merger or acquisition. When banks merge (like when SBI absorbed associate banks), IFSC codes changed for millions of accounts. Old codes stopped working. If you’re using details from before a merger, check if they’re still valid.

Where do I find my bank’s IFSC code?

Check your bank passbook. The IFSC is usually printed on the first page along with your branch details. It’s also on every cheque leaf in your cheque book, typically in the top right corner or near the MICR code at the bottom.

Log into internet banking or your mobile banking app. Go to account details or profile settings. Most banks display the IFSC right next to your account number.

Look at your bank statement (paper or PDF). The IFSC appears in the header or account summary section.

Visit your bank’s website and use their branch locator tool. Search by your branch name or location, and it’ll show the IFSC. Or just call customer service and ask.

Why does the 5th character always have to be zero?

The RBI reserved that position for future use when they designed the IFSC system. Right now, it’s always 0 for all banks. This gives them flexibility to expand the coding system later if needed (maybe to handle more branches or new bank types) without breaking existing codes.

If you see an IFSC where the 5th character isn’t zero, it’s fake or typed incorrectly. No legitimate Indian bank IFSC has anything other than 0 in that spot.

How do I know if IFSC validation is accurate?

This IFSC validator tool pulls data from the RazorpayIFSC API, which sources from the RBI’s official IFSC database. It’s the same data your bank uses. If an IFSC is valid here, it’s valid everywhere in India’s banking system.

But here’s the thing: databases get updated when new branches open or old ones close. There’s usually a lag of a few days to a few weeks. If you’re validating an IFSC for a brand new branch that opened yesterday, it might not show up yet. In that case, call the branch directly to confirm.

Understanding Indian Bank Codes

The first four characters of every IFSC identify the bank. Here are the codes for major banks:

Bank Code	Bank Name	Example IFSC
SBIN	State Bank of India	SBIN0001234
HDFC	HDFC Bank	HDFC0001234
ICIC	ICICI Bank	ICIC0001234
UTIB	Axis Bank	UTIB0001234
PUNB	Punjab National Bank	PUNB0123400
KKBK	Kotak Mahindra Bank	KKBK0001234
YESB	Yes Bank	YESB0001234
IDIB	Indian Bank	IDIB0001234
BARB	Bank of Baroda	BARB0ABCDEF
CNRB	Canara Bank	CNRB0001234

Notice Axis Bank uses “UTIB” as its code (legacy from when it was UTI Bank). If someone tells you their Axis Bank IFSC starts with “AXIS,” they’re wrong. It’s always UTIB.

Real Examples: Valid vs Invalid IFSC Codes

IFSC Code	Status	Issue
SBIN0001234	Valid	Correct format, real SBI branch
HDFC0000001	Valid	HDFC main branch Mumbai
ICIC0001234	Valid	Standard ICICI branch code
SBIN001234	Invalid	Only 10 characters (needs 11)
SBIN1001234	Invalid	5th character is 1, must be 0
SBI0001234	Invalid	Bank code is 3 letters (needs 4)
1234ABCDEFG	Invalid	Starts with numbers (must be letters)
ABCD0123456	Invalid	Bank code ABCD doesn’t exist

What to Do When Your IFSC Fails Validation

Step 1: Double-check the source. Go back to where you got the IFSC. Bank statement? Passbook? WhatsApp message? Verify you copied it exactly. No spaces, no extra characters.

Step 2: Verify with official channels. Visit your bank’s website and use their branch locator. Search by branch name or city. Get the IFSC directly from the bank’s system.

Step 3: Check for recent changes. If you’re using an old passbook or statement, the branch might have moved or merged. Call customer service and ask if the IFSC has changed.

Step 4: Confirm the account number matches. Sometimes people give you an IFSC from one branch but an account number from another. Make sure both belong to the same branch. Ask the account holder to send you both details together from a single source (like a screenshot of their banking app).

Step 5: Use your bank’s name verification. Most banking apps now show you the beneficiary name before you confirm a transfer. Even if the IFSC validates, check that the name matches who you think you’re paying.

Common Mistakes When Entering IFSC Codes

Mixing up similar-looking characters. The letter O and the number 0 look identical in some fonts. The 5th character is always the number 0, not the letter O. Letters I and number 1 also get confused.

Adding spaces. Some people copy IFSC codes from formatted documents that include spaces for readability (like “SBIN 0001234”). Remove all spaces. The IFSC has no spaces, ever.

Using lowercase. IFSC codes are always uppercase. Some systems auto-convert, but don’t rely on that. Type it in caps.

Assuming the IFSC based on the account number. Account numbers and IFSC codes are assigned separately. You can’t derive one from the other. You need both independently.

Not updating after switching branches. If you moved your account from one branch to another, your account number might stay the same, but your IFSC will change. Always get the new IFSC after a branch transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one bank have multiple IFSC codes?

Yes. Every branch has its own unique IFSC. SBI alone has thousands of branches across India, so it has thousands of different IFSC codes. Even if two branches are in the same city, they’ll have different codes.

Does IFSC change if I change my account type?

No. The IFSC is tied to the branch, not your account. Whether you have a savings account, current account, or fixed deposit, if they’re all at the same branch, they use the same IFSC.

Is IFSC the same as MICR code?

No. IFSC is for electronic transfers (NEFT, RTGS, IMPS). MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) is the 9-digit code printed on cheques for physical cheque processing. They’re both branch identifiers but used in different systems. Most branches have both, but they’re different codes.

Can I transfer money without IFSC?

Not for NEFT or RTGS. You absolutely need the IFSC. For IMPS, some banks allow transfers using just the mobile number or Aadhaar number (if linked to the account), but that’s less common. UPI transfers don’t need IFSC because they use UPI IDs or VPAs instead.

What if my bank merged with another bank?

Your old IFSC might still work temporarily, but banks usually issue new IFSC codes after mergers. SBI gave new codes to all former associate bank branches after the merger. Check with your bank. Update your IFSC wherever you’ve shared it (employer, clients, bill payment setups).

How long does IFSC validation take?

Instant. As soon as you type the 11th character, this IFSC validator tool queries the database and shows results in under a second (assuming you have internet). The actual validation logic runs in milliseconds. Network speed is the only variable.

Is this tool accurate for international transfers?

Yes, if the sender needs your Indian bank’s IFSC. When receiving money from abroad via SWIFT, the foreign bank asks for your IFSC along with the SWIFT code. Validate it here to make sure you’re giving them the right code. Wrong IFSC means delayed or failed transfers, and international transfer fees are expensive to waste on mistakes.

Can IFSC codes be reused for different branches?

Never. Once assigned, an IFSC belongs to that specific branch forever. Even if a branch closes, that IFSC won’t be reassigned to a new branch. The RBI maintains this as a permanent record to avoid confusion in historical transaction records.