IMPS (Immediate Payment Service)

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Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) is a fast way to transfer funds between banks. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) manages its operations. Launched in 2010, it allows users to instantly transfer money 24/7, 365 days a year — even on Sundays and financial institutions’ holidays. You can use it on mobile phones, internet banking, ATMs, SMS, etc. 

IMPS is faster than traditional transfers. It supports transactions between people (P2P) and between people and merchants (P2M). This gives both individuals and businesses more options. With IMPS, users can send or receive funds. You can use mobile numbers with MMID, account numbers with IFSC codes, or Aadhaar numbers.

CharacteristicDetails
RegionsIndia
Getting startedMobile/Net Banking, Branch
Setup Fee₹0
Annual Fee₹0
Commission per transaction₹2.50 – ₹25 approx
Payment methods acceptedMobile, Net Banking, ATM, SMS
Fraud & Risk ManagementNPCI-secured, 2FA
Accepted CurrenciesINR
Set up typeDigital/Assisted via a financial institution
Onboarding & Approvals timeInstant with KYC
Recurring BillingNot Supported
Charges on RefundsNil
SDK StacksBank-specific
Settlement timeReal-time
Payouts supportYes
Split paymentsNo
RegionsIndia
Getting startedMobile/Net Banking, Branch
Setup Fee₹0
Annual Fee₹0
Commission per transaction₹2.50 – ₹25 approx
Payment methods acceptedMobile, Net Banking, ATM, SMS
Fraud & Risk ManagementNPCI-secured, 2FA
Accepted CurrenciesINR
Set up typeDigital/Assisted via a financial institution
Onboarding & Approvals timeInstant with KYC
Recurring BillingNot Supported
Charges on RefundsNil
SDK StacksBank-specific
Settlement timeReal-time
Payouts supportYes
Split paymentsNo

Pros

  • Instant transfers (24/7)
  • Works on holidays
  • Wide access: mobile, web, ATM
  • Low transaction fees (₹2.50-₹25)
  • Supports P2P & P2M transfers

Cons

  • No recurring billing
  • Depends on the financial institution's infrastructure
  • Limited support for refunds

Benefits Of Using IMPS

It is designed for fast, reliable, round-the-clock fund transfers across banks in India. It’s widely used by individuals & businesses for its ease of access and high availability, especially in situations where instant transactions are critical.

Key features are:

  • Real-time transfers. Funds are credited instantly within seconds.
  • High transaction limit. Not exceeding ₹500,000 per transaction (bank-specific).
  • Multi-platform access. Available via mobile apps, net banking, ATMs, and SMS.
  • Secure transactions. Uses OTPs, MPINs, encrypted channels.
  • Immediate confirmation. SMS/Email alerts for sender and receiver.
  • Multiple transfer modes. Send via mobile number & MMID, account & IFSC, Aadhaar;
  • No setup or annual fees. Most banks offer this instant remittance system for a free setup.
  • NPCI-backed network. Managed by a trusted national payment body.

With its real-time speed, broad availability, and minimal fees, this immediate funds transfer option stands out as a top choice for digital payments in India.

How to Transfer Money Using Mobile Number or Account Details 

The overall usage is simple and doesn’t require any specialized app—just a mobile phone, internet access, or a bank account with digital banking enabled. It offers multiple ways to transfer money. Here are the main steps for further usage:

  1. Log in to your bank’s platform. Access mobile banking, internet banking, or visit an ATM.
  2. Pick the transfer method. Opt for “IMPS” among the available money transfer choices. 
  3. Enter recipient details. Use either mobile number + MMID, or account number + IFSC, or Aadhaar number.
  4. Enter transfer amount. Ensure the amount is within your bank’s transfer limit (usually not exceeding ₹5,00,000).
  5. Authenticate the transaction. Use OTP, MPIN, or transaction password depending on the platform.
  6. Confirm & send. Funds are credited instantly.
  7. Receive confirmation. Both sender and recipient get an SMS/email confirmation instantly.

Immediate Payment Service makes money transfer straightforward, especially for emergencies or when banks are closed. For those who prefer additional flexibility, other platforms like Linkpay provide an extra layer of convenience. 

Review IMPS

From the expert's view, it is a fast, secure payment system. It meets India’s need for quick, real-time transactions. This is a reliable choice for individuals and small businesses needing quick fund transfers, even on holidays. 

It is built on a robust infrastructure managed by NPCI. The service uses encrypted channels for communication. It also requires two-factor authentication, like OTP, MPIN. Lastly, strict KYC norms are followed by all banks involved. 

Such a transfer option is user-friendly. It functions across various channels, including mobile applications, internet banking, ATMs, and text messaging. Unlike traditional modes like NEFT or RTGS, users don’t have to wait for batch processing or working hours.

IMPS Reviews

Here’s a selection of user experiences and expert insights on the Immediate Payment Service:​

  • Rahul Sinha, Techenclave User - “Transferred money via IMPS from ICICI to HDFC—credited in under 30 seconds. Way better than NEFT. Super convenient.”
  • Arjun K., Google Play Reviewer (Banking App) - “IMPS is lightning-fast. Works even on
  • Sundays. It’s a lifesaver when UPI has downtime.”
  • Shweta R., Twitter User - “Needed to pay rent urgently at midnight—IMPS saved me. Instant and reliable when other options failed.”

These viewpoints underscore its key contribution to India’s evolving digital payment landscape.

Is It Safe to Use IMPS

Immediate Payment Service has a strong focus on user safety and transaction integrity. NPCI runs the platform. It follows the Reserve Bank of India’s security rules. This mechanism supports real-time, secure account-to-account transfers. It works with traditional banks and modern fintech platforms like Linkpay. Key safety features are:

  • Two-factor authentication (2FA). All immediate payment transactions need a login credential, like an MPIN or password. A single-use verification code is dispatched to the user’s linked mobile number.
  • End-to-end encryption. The Immediate Payment Service uses encrypted channels to send data. This ensures that no one can access it without permission during transactions.
  • KYC compliance. Transactions connect to verified accounts and need full KYC. This helps cut down on identity fraud.

These security protocols make the Immediate Payment Service a highly reliable method for sending money domestically. 

IMPS for Business

The Immediate Payment Service isn’t just a tool for personal banking—it also supports businesses operating within India. Its instant settlement capabilities help streamline payments and improve cash flow.

Immediate payment service enables real-time fund disbursements. That makes it ideal for:

  • E-commerce platforms. Fast vendor payouts & order refunds
  • Freelancers & the Gig economy. Immediate client payments
  • Retailers & wholesalers. On-the-spot settlements across supply chains

Immediate payment service is commonly used by individuals for a variety of everyday transactions. 

IMPS App

The immediate payment service isn’t available as a separate app. It is now part of the official mobile banking apps for most Indian banks. These functions are available through the mobile apps of partner banks. This includes HDFC Mobile Banking, ICICI iMobile Pay, SBI YONO, Axis Mobile, and Kotak Mobile Banking. They only need a mobile number and MMID or an account number with an IFSC code.

IMPS transactions on these apps happen instantly. Transfers via mobile apps have strong security. They have several ways to authenticate: MPIN, device binding, OTP verification, etc. Many apps provide biometric login.

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FAQ

How to make an IMPS payment?

To initiate a transfer, log in to your bank’s mobile or internet banking platform. Visit ‘Fund Transfer’ and choose the immediate payment service. Then, enter the beneficiary’s details. Mention the amount and verify the transaction with your credentials.

How much IMPS can be done in a day?

The Reserve Bank of India has set a per-transaction limit of ₹5 lakh for immediate payment service transfers. But each financial institution can set its own daily limits. These limits depend on their policies and the type of account a customer has. ​

How much time does an IMPS transfer take?

These transfers happen instantly. Funds usually reach the beneficiary’s account in seconds. In rare cases, because of technical issues, it may take a few minutes. ​

How to find IMPS sender details?

Log in to your bank’s mobile or online banking. Then, check your transaction history. Sender’s information will be shown with the transaction. You can also check the transaction receipt or the confirmation message you got after the transfer. ​

How to check IMPS status?

You can check the status of a transaction by logging into your mobile or internet banking platform. Visit ‘Transaction History’ or ‘Fund Transfer.’ Find the immediate payment service transaction you need and check its status.

How to check IMPS transaction details?

Enter your bank’s online banking portal or mobile app. Check the ‘Transaction History’ section. Choose the transaction you want. Then, view full details like transaction ID, amount, date, and beneficiary info.

How to find the IMPS number?

You get an immediate payment service reference number when your transfer is successful. This number is unique for each transaction. You can find this number in the transaction confirmation message or email. You can also check your bank’s transaction history through mobile or internet banking. ​

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