Knowing Everything About IMPS: Full Form, Meaning, and How It Works

IMPS, within this quickly developing galaxy of digital banking, manages to be among the most prolific and reliable measures to boast of an instant money transfer. Now, while repaying a friend, making an online shopping payment, or doing a business transaction that needs immediate transfer, with IMPS, you can effortlessly transfer the funds in real-time. Read the following to understand the meaning, full form, and working in banking of IMPS. 

What is the Full Form of IMPS?

The full form of IMPS is Immediate Payment Service. IMPS is an instant interbank electronic funds transfer service through mobile phones. Interbank Mobile Payment Service is a money transfer service in which one can transfer money from one bank account to another, with the help of mobile payment. It is credited to the beneficiary instantly. 

IMPS Full Form in Banking

The full form of IMPS in banking is Immediate Payment Service, under the development of digital payment infrastructure in India. Maximized and served by the National Payments Corporation of India, IMPS is a secured, swifter way of transferring funds instantly across banks in the most desired way—offered to both individuals and businesses.

How Does IMPS Work?

IMPS is designed for ease of use and accessibility through any banking channel, like mobile banking, Internet banking, and ATMs. Here is how: 

• Registration: To use IMPS, you first need to get yourself registered for mobile or internet banking with your bank. Once you are a registered customer, log in to your bank's mobile application, internet banking portal, or ATM for accessing IMPS facilities.

• Initiating a Transfer: To transfer money through IMPS, you will require the details of the recipient — either the mobile number and MMID or the account number and IFSC code of the bank where that account is held. Some banks also support transfers using the recipient's UPI ID.

• Instant Transfer: Upon entering the required details and confirming the transaction, the amount gets immediately transferred to the beneficiary bank. The sender and the receiver are both informed of the transaction instantaneously.

• 24/7 Availability: IMPS is a service through which money can be sent 24/7, unlike the traditional banking services. Thus, one is able to send money at any point in the day, even on non-banking days. 

Advantages of IMPS

Several benefits that make IMPS one of the most favored methods used in transferring cash are:

• Instant Transfers: Since the money is credited to the account of the recipient instantly, IMPS allows real-time transactions and is best for any payments where urgency is required.

• Convenience: IMPS can be availed through various channels, which include mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, and even SMS, which is a solution that provides flexibility in order to ensure that one is able to easily transfer funds using the banking channel of choice. 

• Safety: IMPS transactions are secured and safeguarded through encryption of information and additional necessary protocols for securing transactions, hence ensuring the secure transfer of funds. 

• Availability: This service is available 24/7, unlike some of the other payment systems that may only operate during banking hours. 

• No Minimum Transaction Limit: The IMPS normally does not impose a minimum transaction limit, meaning the service can be used for small as well as large transactions. 

IMPS vs Other Payment Systems

IMPS is just one among the many different kinds of digital payments having their unique features to offer in India. Following is a comparison of the most popular payment system:

IMPS Vs NEFT: NEFT is in batches, and hence it could take several hours to complete, whereas IMPS is instant. For larger payments that are scheduled, people often opt for NEFT. At the same time, IMPS is chosen for tiny payments on the move.

IMPS vs RTGS: RTGS is mainly used for high-value transactions and is also done in real time. However, normally the transactions done above INR 2 lakh are carried out through RTGS. Where IMPS can be used both for small and very large transactions, and there is no lower limit.

IMPS vs. UPI: UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is another instant payment system through which payments can be done using UPI ID. While IMPS is mostly used for bank-to-bank transfers, UPI is more versatile and allows payments to merchants and others.

Conclusion

IMPS i.e. Immediate Payment Service is a very effective tool available in the digital banking scenario of India. As it is able to provide services for making instant interbank electronic funds transfer 24/7, IMPS is considered very helpful not only for personal transactions but also for various business transactions. IMPS in banking gives independence to your routine of making the shifts in monetary resources effectively and safely. Whether it's paying bills, sending money to friends, or business payments, IMPS is an effective and quick solution; it fits in easily in your daily schedule.

FAQs about IMPS:

What is an IMPS transaction?

IMPS transactions are instantaneous bank-to-bank electronic fund transfers that help to send money 24/7, straight across Indian banks.

Is IMPS better than NEFT?

Regarding any urgent transactions, IMPS is still regarded as better than NEFT. This is so because unlike NEFT, which handles transactions in batches and could take many hours, it offers instantaneous transfers.

What is the limit of IMPS per day?

Depending on personal banking restrictions, IMPS transaction daily limit normally falls between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh.

Is IMPS transfer free?

Though some banks offer this feature free of cost as part of their digital banking services, IMPS transfers carry a nominal fee, which varies depending on bank to bank.

Related Blogs

UPI Full Form - Get to know the complete meaning of UPI and how it simplifies and accelerates digital transactions for users all over India.