IFSC Code PUNB0196020 — Kathwara, Punjab National Bank, Rae Bareli

Q: What is IFSC code PUNB0196020 and which branch does it identify?

IFSC code PUNB0196020 is the 11-character alphanumeric code assigned by the Reserve Bank of India to the Kathwara branch of Punjab National Bank in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. The first four characters (PUNB) identify the bank across the entire RBI NEFT network, the fifth character is always zero (0), and the last six characters (196020) identify this specific branch. No other branch in India shares this exact 11-character combination. Use PUNB0196020 for NEFT, RTGS, IMPS transfers and to link this account to UPI apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and BHIM.

Q: How do I use IFSC PUNB0196020 to link my Punjab National Bank account to UPI?

To link your Punjab National Bank Kathwara account to UPI, open any UPI app — PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, or BHIM — and select "Add bank account". Choose Punjab National Bank from the bank list. The app will auto-detect your registered mobile number and retrieve your account. During verification, the app validates your account against IFSC PUNB0196020 in the background — you do not need to enter the code manually. Once linked, your UPI VPA (such as yourname@punjabnationalbank) is used for daily payments. The IFSC is only needed during this initial account registration step, not for individual UPI transactions.

Q: What is the NEFT settlement time using IFSC PUNB0196020? Is RTGS faster?

NEFT transfers to Kathwara using IFSC PUNB0196020 settle in half-hourly batches — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including public holidays. A transfer sent at 2:10 PM is batched at 2:30 PM and credited shortly after. There is no minimum or maximum amount for NEFT. RTGS is faster but has a ₹2 lakh minimum. RTGS settles in real time during RBI operating hours (7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on working days). For transfers below ₹2 lakh that need to arrive instantly — including on weekends and bank holidays — use IMPS with IFSC PUNB0196020, which settles within seconds, 24×7, year-round.

Q: How long is the beneficiary cooling period when I add IFSC PUNB0196020 to net banking?

When you add a new beneficiary using IFSC PUNB0196020 in net banking or mobile banking, most banks enforce a cooling period of 30 minutes to 24 hours before the first transfer is permitted. During this window, the bank sends a confirmation OTP or push notification and blocks outgoing transfers to the new beneficiary. This is a fraud-prevention measure. After the cooling period, per-transaction and per-day limits apply based on your bank's policy and your account type. If you need to transfer money urgently to a Punjab National Bank Kathwara account, add the beneficiary at least one business day in advance. UPI payments bypass beneficiary cooling periods entirely — they can be initiated to a new UPI ID without any wait.

Q: Has Punjab National Bank's IFSC code changed due to a bank merger? Is PUNB0196020 still active?

Bank mergers in India can deactivate IFSC codes. When the RBI merges two banks, it typically issues new IFSC codes for the surviving entity's branches and deactivates old codes from the absorbed bank — sometimes immediately, sometimes on a scheduled date. If Punjab National Bank was involved in a merger, branches of the absorbed bank received new IFSC codes under the surviving bank's code prefix. IFSC PUNB0196020 is listed as active in our database as of Jun 2026. However, before initiating a large RTGS or NEFT transfer, we recommend verifying on the RBI's official IFSC lookup to confirm the code remains valid.

Q: Why does the 5th character of IFSC PUNB0196020 have to be zero (0) and not the letter O?

The 5th character of every IFSC code — including PUNB0196020 — is always the digit zero (0), not the letter O. The RBI mandated this design: position 5 is permanently reserved for future use and is always set to the numeral 0. In many printed fonts and small screens, the digit 0 and the letter O look nearly identical, but they are entirely different ASCII characters. If you type the letter O instead of 0, the payment system will reject the transfer immediately with an "invalid IFSC" error — no transfer will be processed and no money will leave your account. If a transfer to this branch fails IFSC validation, check position 5 of the code first: it must be the digit 0.

IFSC Code for Kathwara — Punjab National Bank

The IFSC code for Kathwara branch of Punjab National Bank in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh is PUNB0196020. Use this for NEFT, RTGS, IMPS transfers and UPI account linking.

About IFSC Code PUNB0196020 — Kathwara, Punjab National Bank

IFSC code PUNB0196020 is the official 11-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Reserve Bank of India to the Kathwara branch of Punjab National Bank located in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. This code is used exclusively by India's electronic payment networks — NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and UPI — to route digital fund transfers to the exact bank branch where the recipient's account is held. IFSC codes are not used for cheque clearing or paper-based instruments; those processes use the MICR code printed on cheque leaves. Without the correct IFSC code, no digital transfer to this branch can be processed.

How to Read IFSC Code PUNB0196020

The 11-character code PUNB0196020 is structured in three segments the RBI uses to route every NEFT and RTGS transfer: PUNB is the bank identifier — a four-letter code that identifies Punjab National Bank in the RBI's settlement network. 0 is the reserved zero at position 5 — always the digit 0 (never the letter O), mandated by the RBI for future use. 196020 is the branch identifier — six alphanumeric characters assigned exclusively to the Kathwara branch. No other branch in India carries this exact combination, which is what allows NEFT and RTGS systems to credit funds to one specific branch out of more than 1.6 lakh branches nationwide.

NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and UPI — When to Use IFSC PUNB0196020

IFSC code PUNB0196020 is required every time money moves digitally to or from the Kathwara branch.

NEFT — Any Amount, Half-Hourly Batches: Settles in half-hourly batches, available 24×7. The sender enters your account number + IFSC PUNB0196020.
RTGS — Minimum ₹2 Lakh, Real-Time Settlement: Funds arrive in real time. Operates 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on RBI working days.
IMPS — Instant Transfers, 24×7 Including Holidays: Settles within seconds. Up to ₹5 lakh per transaction using account number + IFSC.
UPI Account Linking — One-Time Registration: The app validates IFSC PUNB0196020 in the background during account setup.
Net Banking Beneficiary Registration: Add using account number + IFSC PUNB0196020. Allow 30 min–24 hour cooling period.

IFSC, MICR, and BSR Codes for Kathwara, Punjab National Bank

The Kathwara branch is assigned three distinct RBI codes — each used by a completely separate banking system. These codes cannot be interchanged.

IFSC PUNB0196020 — NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and UPI account linking.
MICR 110024666 — Cheque clearing, ECS, NACH, SIP mandates. View MICR code →
BSR 0003003 — TDS challan deposits, Form 16, Form 26AS. View BSR code →

Step-by-Step: How IFSC PUNB0196020 Routes a NEFT Transfer

Initiation: Sender enters account number and IFSC PUNB0196020.
Validation: Sender's bank validates the IFSC against the RBI NEFT master list.
Bank routing: PUNB identifies Punjab National Bank as the receiving bank.
Branch routing: 196020 routes to Kathwara specifically.
Settlement: At the next NEFT batch, RBI credits Punjab National Bank who credits the beneficiary account.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with IFSC PUNB0196020

Using MICR or BSR instead of IFSC — they serve completely different systems and will be rejected.
Typing letter O instead of digit 0 at position 5 — will fail IFSC validation immediately.
Using a deactivated IFSC after a bank merger — always verify before large RTGS transfers.
Using the wrong branch IFSC — funds route to the branch identified, not any branch of the same bank.
Not accounting for beneficiary cooling period — add beneficiaries at least one business day in advance.

Need this branch's MICR code? View MICR code for Kathwara →

For TDS challan filing use the BSR Code Lookup. Plan loan repayments with our EMI Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IFSC code PUNB0196020 and which branch does it identify?

How do I use IFSC PUNB0196020 to link my Punjab National Bank account to UPI?

What is the NEFT settlement time using IFSC PUNB0196020? Is RTGS faster?

How long is the beneficiary cooling period when I add IFSC PUNB0196020 to net banking?

Has Punjab National Bank's IFSC code changed due to a bank merger? Is PUNB0196020 still active?

Why does the 5th character of IFSC PUNB0196020 have to be zero (0) and not the letter O?