Ans. The acronym 'RTGS' stands for Real Time Gross Settlement, which can be explained as a system where there is continuous and real-time settlement of fund-transfers, individually on a transaction by transaction basis (without netting). 'Real Time' means the processing of instructions at the time they are received; 'Gross Settlement' means that the settlement of funds transfer instructions occurs individually.

Considering that the funds settlement takes place in the books of the Reserve Bank of India, the payments are final and irrevocable.

Ans. RTGS offers many advantages for funds transfer:

• It is a safe and secure system for funds transfer.

• RTGS transactions / transfers have no amount cap set by RBI.

• The system is available on all days on 24x7x365 basis. There is real time transfer of funds to the beneficiary account.

• The remitter need not use a physical cheque or a demand draft.

• The beneficiary need not visit a bank branch for depositing the paper instruments.

• The beneficiary need not be apprehensive about loss / theft of physical instruments or the likelihood of fraudulent encashment thereof.

• Remitter can initiate the remittances from his / her home / place of work using internet banking, if his / her bank offers such service.

• The transaction charges have been capped by RBI.

• The transaction has legal backing.

Ans. NEFT is an electronic fund transfer system in which the transactions received up to a particular time are processed in batches. Contrary to this, in RTGS, the transactions are processed continuously on a transaction by transaction basis throughout the day.

Ans. RTGS is available 24x7x365 with effect from December 14, 2020.

Ans. The RTGS system is primarily meant for large value transactions. The minimum amount to be remitted through RTGS is ₹ 2,00,000/- with no upper or maximum ceiling.

Ans. With effect from July 01, 2019, RBI has waived the processing charges levied by it for RTGS transactions. Banks may pass on the benefit to its customers. With a view to rationalise the service charges levied by banks for offering funds transfer through RTGS system, a broad framework of charges has been mandated as under: a) Inward transactions – Free, no charge to be levied. b) Outward transactions – ₹ 2,00,000/- to 5,00,000/-: not exceeding ₹ 25/- (exclusive of tax, if any) Above ₹ 5,00,000/-: not exceeding ₹ 50 (exclusive of tax, if any) Banks may decide to charge a lower rate but cannot charge more than the rates prescribed by RBI.

Ans. The remitting customer has to furnish the following information to a bank for initiating an RTGS remittance:

1. Amount to be remitted

2. The account number to be debited

3. Name of the beneficiary bank and branch

4. The IFSC number of the receiving branch

5. Name of the beneficiary customer

6. Account number of the beneficiary customer

7. Sender to receiver information, if any

8. Sender and Beneficiary Legal Entity Identifier (for eligible transactions)

Ans. The IFSC number can be obtained by the remitter (customer) from his / her bank branch. Alternatively, it is available on the cheque leaf of the beneficiary. This code number / bank branch information can be communicated by the beneficiary to the remitting customer. The list of IFSCs is also available on the RBI website at the link https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/Bs_viewRTGS.aspx?Category=5. The list is updated on a fortnightly basis.

Ans. For a funds transfer to go through RTGS, both the sending bank branch and the receiving bank branch need to be RTGS enabled. Presently, there are more than 1,60,000 RTGS enabled bank branches, the list of which is available on the RBI website at the link https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/Bs_viewRTGS.aspx?Category=5. The list is updated on a fortnightly basis.