NEFT vs RTGS vs IMPS: Transfer Limits, Charges & Settlement Timings
Complete comparison of Indias three core digital fund transfer systems: operating hours, minimum amounts, maximum limits, and settlement speeds.
Digital banking in India relies primarily on three fund transfer protocols managed by the Reserve Bank of India and NPCI: NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS.
National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT): Operates 24x7x365 in half-hourly settlement batches. There is no statutory minimum or maximum limit for individual transactions.
Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS): Also operates 24x7x365, but processes transactions individually in gross real time. The minimum transfer threshold is ₹2,00,000, making it ideal for high-value corporate or property transactions.
Immediate Payment Service (IMPS): Provided by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), IMPS settles transfers instantly 24x7. The maximum per-transaction limit is generally ₹5 Lakh.