Banking & Finance Articles
In-depth, original guides on Indian banking codes, payments, loans, taxes and personal finance. Written and reviewed by our editorial team, updated regularly to reflect the latest RBI and NPCI guidelines.
PPF vs ELSS: Which Section 80C Investment is Better for Long-Term Wealth?
Returns, lock-in, tax treatment, risk and a worked 15-year example - which one belongs in your tax-saving plan.
Read articleCredit Score & CIBIL in India: How It Works & How to Improve It
What affects your CIBIL score, how to read your report, and a realistic 12-month plan to rebuild a damaged score.
Read articleWhat is an IFSC Code? A Complete Guide for Indian Bank Account Holders
The structure, allocation, and use of IFSC codes — plus the most common mistakes to avoid when entering one.
Read articleNEFT vs RTGS vs IMPS: Differences, Charges & When to Use Each
A practical comparison of India's three main electronic transfer systems — speed, cost, limits, and ideal use cases.
Read articleIFSC vs MICR vs SWIFT: Three Banking Codes, Three Very Different Jobs
What each code does, where you'll see it, and which one you actually need for your next transaction.
Read articleUPI Payments: A Complete Beginner's Guide for 2026
How UPI works under the hood, how to set up a UPI ID, transaction limits, and the most common scams to watch for.
Read articleHow to Calculate Loan EMI Manually: Formula, Examples & Tips
The EMI formula explained, three worked examples for home, car, and personal loans, and eight ways to lower your EMI.
Read articleHow to Save Income Tax in India: A Practical Guide for FY 2025-26
Section 80C, 80D, home loan deductions, the new vs old regime, and lesser-known tax-saving sections worth using.
Read articleFixed Deposit vs Recurring Deposit: Which is Better for Your Savings Goals?
FD vs RD — returns, tax treatment, liquidity, and the right scenarios to use each, with a worked example.
Read articleAbout our editorial process
Every article on IFSCNOW is written by our in-house team and reviewed against primary sources — the Reserve Bank of India website, NPCI publications, the official Income Tax e-filing portal, and the published schedules of charges of major Indian banks. We update each piece whenever the underlying rules change, and the "Updated" date you see on each article is the most recent edit, not just a re-publication. We do not accept paid placements or sponsored content in our articles.