The full form of IMPS represents Immediate Payment Service. Through this service managed by banks users gain quick instant electronic money transfers at any time and on any day. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) established IMPS as its funding system in 2010 to advance Indian money transfer practices beyond NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) and RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement).
This guide will explain what IMPS represents and its operational method while discussing all its key benefits as well as step-by-step procedures for performing swift money transfer.
IMPS is a real-time interbank money transfer system that allows instant transfer of funds between different banks using mobile phones, internet banking, and ATMs. It is one of the most popular methods of transferring money in India due to its speed and availability.
I – Immediate: The transfer is completed instantly, allowing funds to be transferred in real-time, 24/7.
M – Money: Refers to the funds being transferred between accounts.
P – Payment: When paying money from bank account to bank account payment takes place.
S – Service: A banking service that enables fast transactions.
Instant Transfers: The primary feature of IMPS is its speed. Unlike other methods like NEFT or RTGS, which can take several hours or are only available during business hours, IMPS operates 24/7, allowing for instant money transfers at any time.
Accessibility: The transaction system IMPS operates through mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, as well as SMS. This makes it extremely accessible for customers with different preferences and access to technology.
Transfers Between Different Banks: IMPS is a service that works across multiple banks. Whether the sender and receiver use the same bank or different banks, IMPS can facilitate the transaction.
Secure: The transaction safety of all IMPS transactions relies on encryption technology together with additional security measures for complete protection. It complies with the security protocols set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Transaction Limits: The maximum transaction amount per day for IMPS transfers can vary from bank to bank. However, most banks have set limits to ensure safe and controlled use of the system.
Mobile Banking: IMPS is available through mobile banking apps of various banks, allowing users to send and receive money conveniently from their smartphones.
Feature |
IMPS |
NEFT |
RTGS |
Transaction Speed |
Instant (24/7) |
Delayed (only during banking hours) |
Real-time (during business hours) |
Availability |
24/7 (including holidays) |
Only during banking hours |
Only during banking hours |
Transaction Limit |
Varies per bank (usually up to ₹2 Lakhs) |
Varies, typically higher limits |
High-value transactions (₹2 Lakhs and above) |
Security |
High (Encryption, OTP, etc.) |
High (Encryption) |
High (Encryption) |
User Access |
Mobile, ATM, Internet Banking |
Internet Banking |
Internet Banking, Bank Branch |
Fee |
Low fee |
Low to moderate fee |
High fee (for high-value transactions) |
As we can see, IMPS offers several advantages in terms of speed and availability compared to NEFT and RTGS.
Real-Time Transfers: Among digital transfers IMPS provides immediate funds movement which serves as the most suitable way to handle urgent money transfers.
24/7 Accessibility: You can perform IMPS transactions at any moment throughout the weekend and holiday period. IMPS serves as an optimal method for fast fund transfers because NEFT or comparable payment systems might not function in critical situations.
Cost-Effective: The fees attached to IMPS transactions remain low so customers can use this service for transfers of any size from small to medium amounts.
Convenience: IMPS delivers versatile payment services through mobile banking along with internet banking and ATMs and SMS which permits users from various backgrounds to reach the system.
User-Friendly: Use of IMPS functions easily through a straightforward process which remains understandable by non-technical customers. The program features an easy-to-understand interface to make transactions convenient for users.
The following provides a sequential guide for executing IMPS money transfers:
Open up the mobile banking application provided by your bank as step one.
Move to the "IMPS" section which you can find in "Funds Transfer" or "Payments" under the mobile banking platform.
Open the IMPS section under the Funds Transfer segment to begin the mobile number entry process followed by MMID and money transfer amount.
The last step of your transaction requires you to confirm and authorize the transfer using PIN or One-Time Password.
The instant fund transfer occurs together with notifications being sent to both parties.
Step 1: Begin by opening your bank’s internet banking platform for users.
Step 2: Navigate to the "IMPS" transfer option under the "Funds Transfer" section.
Step 3: Enter the recipient’s details, including their mobile number, MMID, and the transfer amount.
Step 4: Confirm the transaction and complete the payment using OTP or other security measures.
Step 5: The transfer is completed immediately.
Step 1: Begin by placing your ATM card into the machine and choose the "IMPS" menu.
Step 2: The next step requires you to fill in the mobile number along with MMID of the recipient.
Step 3: To execute the transfer enter your ATM PIN then proceed to the confirmation step.
Step 4: The transaction will be processed instantly.
Emergency Fund Transfers utilize IMPS to perform fast funds delivery when medical bills need to be paid or coverage is needed for someone in an urgent situation.
People use IMPS to pay for goods and services at various venues which accept IMPS payment methods.
The IMPS payment platform functions as a fast, reliable way to settle utility invoices and bills obtained through online stores securely.
Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) represents the Full Form of the system which revolutionized Indian money transfer operations by enabling instant secure money transactions all day long. Either for financial inter-bank fund transfers or payment payments, IMPS enables users to access a dependable and simple solution for real-time transactions.
IMPS demonstrates immediate functionality as well as multisystem accessibility with cost-effective services which makes it a preferred choice for fund transfer among individuals and businesses.
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