RTGS threshold raised to Rs 2 lakh; NEFT gets cheaper band
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/259 · issued 03 Nov 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI raised RTGS customer transaction threshold from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh effective Nov 15, 2010, and introduced a lower NEFT charge of Rs 15 for the Rs 1-2 lakh band to encourage migration of retail payments to NEFT.
What changed
The minimum value for RTGS customer transactions was increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. A new NEFT value band of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh was created with a service charge of Rs 15 per transaction, down from Rs 25, making it Rs 10 cheaper than RTGS for that band.
What it means for you
Banks should expect a shift of transactions between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh from RTGS to NEFT, reducing load on the large-value system. This change improves RTGS efficiency for high-value payments while offering customers a faster, cheaper alternative for mid-range transfers.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Update RTGS and NEFT fee schedules in your core banking system to reflect the new charges from November 15, 2010.
Train branch and digital banking staff to proactively inform customers about the cheaper NEFT option for amounts between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh.
Monitor transaction volumes in both systems post-implementation to assess migration impact and adjust marketing efforts accordingly.
Who it affects
All banks participating in RTGS and NEFT, Retail and corporate customers using electronic funds transfer, Bank operations and product teams handling payment systems
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective Nov 15, 2010
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 03:52 IST
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the new RTGS threshold for customer transactions?
The minimum transaction value for RTGS customer transactions was raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, effective November 15, 2010.
How much will customers save by using NEFT for amounts between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh?
Customers will pay Rs 15 per transaction via NEFT instead of Rs 25 for RTGS, saving Rs 10 per transaction.
Why did RBI make this change?
To position RTGS primarily for large-value payments and encourage retail transactions to move to NEFT, which offers near real-time settlement with multiple cycles and wider reach.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/259 · issued 03 Nov 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6075&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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