RTGS
The acronym 'RTGS' stands for Real Time Gross Settlement, which can be defined as the continuous (real-time) settlement of funds transfers individually on an order by order basis (without netting). 'Real Time' means the processing of instructions at the time they are received rather than at some later time; 'Gross Settlement' means the settlement of funds transfer instructions occurs individually (on an instruction by instruction basis). Considering that the funds settlement takes place in the books of the Reserve Bank of India, the payments are final and irrevocable.
NEFT is an electronic fund transfer system that operates on a Deferred Net Settlement (DNS) basis which settles transactions in batches. In DNS, the settlement takes place with all transactions received till the particular cut-off time. These transactions are netted (payable and receivables) in NEFT whereas in RTGS the transactions are settled individually. For example, currently, NEFT operates in hourly batches. [There are twelve settlements from 8 am to 7 pm on week days and six settlements from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.] Any transaction initiated after a designated settlement time would have to wait till the next designated settlement time Contrary to this, in the RTGS transactions are processed continuously throughout the RTGS business hours.
The RTGS system is primarily meant for large value transactions. The minimum amount to be remitted through RTGS is ` 2 lakh. There is no upper ceiling for RTGS transactions.
The RTGS service window for customer's transactions is available to banks from 9.00 hours to 16.30 hours on week days and from 9.00 hours to 14:00 hours on Saturdays for settlement at the RBI end. However, the timings that the banks follow may vary depending on the customer timings of the bank branches.
With a view to rationalize the service charges levied by banks for offering funds transfer through RTGS system, a broad framework has been mandated as under: a) Inward transactions – Free, no charge to be levied. b) Outward transactions – ` 2 lakh to ` 5 lakh - not exceeding ` 30.00 per transaction; Above ` 5 lakh – not exceeding ` 55.00 per transaction.
The remitting customer has to furnish the following information to a bank for initiating a RTGS remittance:
1. Amount to be remitted
2. Remitting customer’s account number which is 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
The beneficiary customer can obtain the IFSC code from his bank branch. The IFSC code is also available on the cheque leaf. The list of IFSCs is also available on the RBI website . This code number and bank branch details can be communicated by the beneficiary to the remitting customer.