11:30 AM IST – When State Bank of India announced new IMPS charges effective February 15, 2026, most people saw it as a simple price change. But if you look closely, something else is happening. SBI is slowly changing how people choose between IMPS, NEFT and RTGS — without saying it openly.
This is not about earning extra fees. But this is about guiding behaviour.
What exactly has changed in IMPS?
Till now, IMPS transfers on SBI’s app and internet banking were completely free, even for big amounts. From This February 15, that changes only for higher-value transfers.
- Up to ₹25,000 → still free
- Charges start only above ₹25,000
- Small slabs, small amounts, no change in limits
So the common user sending money for daily needs is not affected at all.
The new SBI IMPS charges (online vs branch)
| Amount slab | IMPS – App / Net Banking | IMPS – Branch |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹1,000 | Free | Free |
| ₹1,001 – ₹10,000 | Free | ₹2 + GST |
| ₹10,001 – ₹25,000 | Free | ₹4 + GST |
| ₹25,001 – ₹1,00,000 | ₹2 + GST | ₹4 + GST |
| ₹1,00,001 – ₹2,00,000 | ₹6 + GST | ₹12 + GST |
| ₹2,00,001 – ₹5,00,000 | ₹10 + GST | ₹20 + GST |
Can someone send ₹25 lakh via IMPS?
The short answer is no. Many readers assume that because IMPS is instant, it can be used for very large transfers. In reality, IMPS has a hard limit.
In the State Bank of India, the maximum IMPS limit is ₹5 lakh per day. This means:
- ₹25 lakh cannot be sent in one IMPS transaction
- ₹25 lakh cannot be sent even by splitting IMPS on the same day
- Any attempt beyond the limit will simply fail
So for large amounts like ₹10 lakh, ₹15 lakh or ₹25 lakh, IMPS is not even an option, regardless of charges.
Why SBI is doing this (real reason)
- IMPS is instant. Money reaches in seconds.
- NEFT is fast but not instant. Sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes a few 3 to 5 hours.
- RTGS is for big amounts, usually ₹2 lakh and above.
Till now, people were using IMPS even when they didn’t really need instant transfer. That puts a load on instant payment systems.
SBI’s message is quiet but clear: If it is urgent, use IMPS. If it is planned, use NEFT or RTGS.
NEFT and RTGS are still free on the SBI app
Here is the important part that many people are missing:
- NEFT on SBI app/internet banking → Free
- RTGS on SBI app/internet banking → Free
- Limits are unchanged
- Available 24×7
So if you are sending salary, vendor payment, business settlement, or family transfer that is not urgent, NEFT makes more sense.
Why businesses still prefer NEFT or RTGS over UPI
UPI is popular, no doubt. But in many business and B2B payments, people still ask for:
- NEFT
- IMPS
- RTGS
Not because of any rule, but because:
- Better bank records
- Easier accounting
- More trust for high-value transfers
This thinking is very common in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, where banking habits are practical, not fancy.
With around 50 crore customers and the new YONO 2.0, SBI controls how millions see payment options on one screen. Even a small change here creates a nationwide effect.
