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Sunday, November 28, 2010

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “EMERGING TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION” SCHEDULED TO HELD ON DECEMBER 18-19, 2010, AT INDIA HABITAT CENTRE, NEW DELHI

CONFERENCE THEME NOTE: International Arbitration is the preferred choice of multinational business entities to resolve their commercial disputes. Arbitration is increasingly becoming popular with parties in India to settle their international as well as domestic commercial disputes. It is believed that claims ranging to several thousand Crores of Rupees are locked up in construction disputes alone in India. Given the mammoth investment that has been proposed for infrastructure projects in India (which would include substantial foreign investment), the next decade will see a tremendous increase in infrastructure related disputes arising from India being resolved through International Arbitration.
With a view to providing a focus on the emerging trends in International Arbitration, the Construction Industry Arbitration Council (CIAC) under the patronage of Construction Industry Development Council, India (CIDC) and with the support of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), and the Singapore international Arbitration Centre (SIAC) will be organizing a conference on “Emerging Trends in International Commercial Arbitration” from 18th to 19th December 2010 at New Delhi. This conference will not only deliberate on the emerging trends in International Arbitration but will also focus on best practices in this area.
The topics to be discussed will include a comparative analysis of institutional arbitration versus ad-hoc arbitration, a discussion on the new UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules 2010 (which replaces the 1976 edition of the Rules), the new SIAC Rules to be adopted in the latter half of 2010, the new IBA Rules on taking of evidence in international arbitration that was adopted in May 2010, documents-only arbitration and the legal issues that arise in the context of Online Dispute Resolution / Cyber Arbitration.
The session on Online Dispute Resolution would be of particular interest as it is a relatively new topic in India. While dispute resolution processes are required or are in place for disputes that arise out of usage of Internet or in Electronic Commerce, Online Dispute Resolution for all kinds of disputes (including infrastructure related disputes) is something that might become very popular in the future. The legal issues that might arise in this context would be discussed during the Conference.
Online Dispute Resolution is likely to present a convenient platform for a large number of SMEs and individuals to pursue their claims online and get a binding decision in a cost efficient and less time consuming manner. It might also assist in the Government’s and the Judiciary’s mandate for speedy resolution of commercial disputes.
The development of Online Dispute Resolution in India would find legislative support in the Information Technology Act, 2000 which provides for recognition of electronic records and digital signatures. The legal issues in this context would also be deliberated at the Conference.
Apart from Online Dispute Resolution, other emerging trends in International Arbitration as enunciated above would also be discussed and debated.
Who should attend the conference?
Arbitrators, judges, lawyers, in-house counsel, legal officers, engineers, project managers, senior government officials, Small medium enterprises, Bankers, Insurance agencies, academicians, policy makers and all those involved in dispute resolution, especially professionals associated with the construction industry as well as the IT Industry.

Patni Computers opens new BPO unit in Gandhinagar

Patni Computer Systems Ltd, a leading IT and outsourcing major, expects to see its business process outsourcing (BPO) division to expand by 45 per cent this year.
The BPO business accounts for just 15 per cent of the company's business of $650 million, but is expected to grow at a rapid pace. Patni Computers, which opened its offshore development centre (ODC) at the Mind Space SEZ in Gandhinagar today, plans to shift all of its BPO operations to Gujarat.
"The inauguration of our new facility in Gandhinagar demonstrates our sustained commitment to this region," said Jeva Kumar, CEO, and Patni Computers. "We are looking at strengthening our presence in this burgeoning IT delivery hub and expect Gandhinagar to play a crucial part in this delivery expansion strategy."
The company, which is doubling its capacity in Gandhinagar from the current 400 seats, recently signed a deal with a leading UK-based firm for providing product engineering services and application development management services.
Patni Computers, which froze hirings in 2009, has already taken about 4,000 people this year, raising its total employee strength to 17,000. The company's attrition rate has also gone up, from 13 per cent last year to 22 per cent now. But while the industry's average of tenure is 3-1/2 years, Patni's is 7-1/2 years, explains Kumar.
Patni Computers won five new deals worth about $30 million recently and expects to expand at a modest seven per cent this year and 15 per cent next year. It also plans to launch cloud computing as a separate service next fiscal, added Kumar.
The company has 30 offices across America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. It recently opened new delivery centres in Mexico, the US and China.

India-South Africa Relations: Strengthening South-South Cooperation

Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, paid an official visit to India from June 2-4, 2010. Both the countries have realized the growing need of each other and accordingly have started to diversify their relations. Both sides have underscored the importance of making the strategic partnership more result oriented and of greater direct benefit to the peoples of South Africa and India. Recognising that since the establishment of bilateral relations in November 1993, the two countries had established a framework for cooperation through bilateral and multilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. The basis of relationship has been shaped by three important agreements: the Red Fort Declaration of 1996, the Joint Declaration of 2003 and the Tshwane Declaration of 2006. Both the countries reaffirmed the importance of strengthening relations under the aegis of the India-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) which affords both sides an opportunity to address a range of bilateral, as well as multilateral political and economic issues. They confirmed that the 8th Session of the JMC will take place in Delhi in 2010, allowing both sides to evaluate the implementation of bilateral agreements and decisions taken during the State Visit.
Both the nations welcomed the reconstitution of the India-South Africa CEOs’ Forum as an institutional mechanism for closer business interaction with Government support. They look forward to its first substantive meeting in South Africa along with an India Show in August 2010. In the regional context, President Zuma affirmed the importance of India as a partner of the African Union in the consolidation of peace and stability in the Continent, through its contributions to peacekeeping, and as a partner in the development of Africa through its support for the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). During the visit three major agreements were signed:
®      Air Services Agreement;
®      MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors; and
®      MoU between the Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and the Foreign Service Institute of India.
Besides that both sides expressed satisfaction at increasing cultural exchanges between the two countries and agreed to further promote educational exchanges including through University-to-University linkages and emphasized the need for further widening of cooperation in the field of science and technology. Both the sides noted that the MoU for cooperation in the field of Communications and Information Technologies has expired in September 2009 and called for an early renewal of the MOU and a meeting of The Joint Working Group to identify projects for joint cooperation in the ICT sector.
Positive developments:
1.      The bilateral trade had grown to the extent that India was now one of the top ten trading partners of South Africa. Both the sides have urged Indian and South African industry to work towards raising bilateral trade to US $ 10 billion by the year 2012.
1.2. There has been a healthy growth in two-way investment flows, which have increased substantially during the past five years.
2.      To strengthen the India-Africa Forum and to the advancement of the seven pillars of the Action Plan of the Framework for Cooperation launched in Delhi in March 2010. The Action Plan will intensify India-Africa cooperation in various fields including Commerce, Politics, Social Development and Capacity Building; Science, Technology, Research and Development; Tourism; Infrastructure, Energy and Environment and Media and Communication. With this in mind, the leaders undertook to work even more closely to reinvigorate their cooperation for Africa’s development.
3.      Both sides have agreed on the need to expedite the ongoing negotiations on the India-Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Preferential Trade Agreement so as to provide a significant incentive to business to explore mutually beneficial commercial opportunities and contribute to growing trade and investment relations. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a market size of over 500 Billion US Dollars and a population of 200 million people, is but one of the examples of the potential in Africa.
4.      Both the countries undertook mutual support for their candidature for non-permanent Security Council seats for 2011-2012. The World Bank Group’s Annual Doing Business Report for 2010 compared global regulation in 183 countries, from these global economies, South Africa ranked 34th for ease of doing business. In terms of overall competitiveness, South Africa was ranked 45th ahead of countries such as Poland and Mexico. South Africa was also ranked 18th most attractive Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) destination world-wide, according to the 2007 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index compiled by the global management consulting firm, AT Kearney

Friday, November 26, 2010

National Council for Rural Institutes

National Council for Rural Institutes
National Council of Rural Institutes is an autonomous society fully funded by the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. Registered on 19th October, 1995 with its Headquarter at Hyderabad, It was established with a main objective of promoting Rural Higher Education for advancing rural livelihoods with the instrument of education on the lines of Mahatma Gandhiji's revolutionary concept of Nai Talim, a functional education based on the values proposed by Gandhiji. Other objectives of the council include teachers training, extension and research by networking with policy making bodies such as UGC, AICTE and research organizations like CSIR, AICTE etc., in addition to encouraging other educational institutions and voluntary agencies to develop in accordance with Gandhian Philosophy of education.

For more info, Visit http://www.ncri-mhrd.org/

Rehabilitation Council

Rehabilitation Council
The Rehabilitation Council of India was set up as a registered society in 1986. However, it was soon found that a Society could not ensure proper standardization and acceptance of the standards by other Organizations. The Parliament enacted Rehabilitation Council of India Act in 1992. The Rehabilitation Council of India becomes Statutory Body on 22nd June 1993. The RCI Act was amended by the Parliament in 2000 to work it more broad based. The Act casts onerous responsibility on the Council. It also prescribes that any one delivering services to people with disability, who does not possess qualifications recognised by RCI, could be prosecuted. Thus the Council has the twin responsibility of standardizing and regulating the training of personnel and professional in the field of Rehabilitation and Special Education.

For more info, Visit http://rehabcouncil.nic.in

Rehabilitation Council

Distance Education Council was constituted under statute 28 arising from Section 25 of the Indira Gandhi National Open University Act, 1985. The Distance Education Council (DEC) is responsible for the promotion and coordination of the Open University and distance education system and for determination of its standards. The Council provides academic guidelines to promote excellence, encourage use of innovative technologies and approaches, enable convergence of all systems and sharing of resources through collaborative networking for access to sustainable education, skill up gradation and training to all.

For more info, Visit www.ignou.ac.in/dec/

Distance Education Council (DCE)

Distance Education Council was constituted under statute 28 arising from Section 25 of the Indira Gandhi National Open University Act, 1985. The Distance Education Council (DEC) is responsible for the promotion and coordination of the Open University and distance education system and for determination of its standards. The Council provides academic guidelines to promote excellence, encourage use of innovative technologies and approaches, enable convergence of all systems and sharing of resources through collaborative networking for access to sustainable education, skill up gradation and training to all.

For more info, Visit www.ignou.ac.in/dec/

Council of Architecture (COA)

The Council of Architecture (COA) was constituted under the provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India. The Act provides for registration of Architects, standards of education, recognized qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects. The Council of Architecture is responsible to regulate the education and practice of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of architects. Any person desirous of carrying on the profession of "Architect" must register himself with Council of Architecture.
The registration with Council of Architecture entitles a person to practice the profession of architecture, provided he holds a Certificate of Registration with up-to-date renewals. The registration also entitles a person to use the title and style of Architect. The title and style of architect can also be used by a firm of architects, of which all partners are registered with COA. Limited Companies, Private/Public Companies, societies and other juridical persons are not entitled to use the title and style of architect nor are they entitled to practice the profession of architecture.
The practice of profession of an architect is governed by the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003), which deals with professional ethics and etiquette, conditions of engagement and scale of charges, architectural competition guidelines, etc. Pursuant to these Regulations, the Council of Architecture has framed guidelines governing various aspects of practice.
The Council prescribes qualifications and standards of education being imparted in institutions imparting architecture education. It set forth the requirement of eligibility for admission, course duration, standards of staff & accommodation, course content, examination, etc. These standards as provided in the said Regulations are required to be maintained by the institutions. The COA oversees the maintenance of the standards periodically by way of conducting inspections through Committees of Experts. The COA is required to keep the Central Government informed of the standards being maintained by the institutions and is empowered to make recommendations to the Government of India with regard to recognition and de-recognition of a qualification.

What is available in COA Website?: The web site provides act, rules and regulation of the Council of Architecture (COA). The site lists all institutions, colleges and universities that offer courses in architecture in India. The site provides detailed information on various aspects of architecture designs and practices. It also provides important legal judgements relating to registration as architect. The site also provides other rules, regulations and Government notifications. Under its events and activities section, the site provides ongoing competitions, other events and activities in the field.

For more info, Visit http://www.coa-india.org/

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM)

Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM)
The Central Council of Indian Medicine is the statutory body constituted under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970. This Council prescribes minimum standards of education in Indian Systems of Medicine viz. Ayurved, Siddha, Unani Tibb. The Council is responsible to maintain a Central Register on Indian Medicine and prescribes Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics to be observed by the practitioners. The Council is empowered to appoint medical inspectors to observe the conduct of examinations, and visitors to inspect facilities in colleges, hospitals and other institutions imparting instruction in Indian medicine. The Council is responsible to frame regulations with respect to:
1.      the courses and period of study, including practical training to be undertaken, the subject of examinations, and the standards of proficiency therein to be obtained in any university, board or medical institution for grant of recognized medical qualifications;
2.      the standard of staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities for education in Indian medicine; and
3.      the conduct of professional examinations, etc.
What is available in CCIM Website?: The website provides for list of colleges recognized by the Council for education in Indian Systems of Medicine viz. Ayurved, Siddha, Unani Tibb.

For more info, Visit http://www.ccimindia.org

Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH)

Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH)
The Central Council of Homoeopathy was established under the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973. The Council prescribes and recognizes all homeopathic medicine qualifications. Any university or medical institutions that desires to grant a medical qualification in homeopathy is required to apply to the Council. The Council is responsible for constitution and maintenance of a Central Register of Homoeopathy and for matters connected therewith. All universities and Board of medical institutions in India are required to furnish all information regarding courses of study and examination. The Council is empowered to appoint inspectors at examinations and visitors to examine facilities.

For more info, Visit http://www.cchindia.com

Bar Council of India (BCI)

Bar Council of India (BCI)
The Bar Council of India is empowered to make rules to discharge its functions under the Advocates Act 1961. An important rule-making power is with reference to laying down guidelines for the standards of professional conduct and etiquette to be observed by advocates. The Bar Council of India Rules may prescribe for a class or category of person entitled to be enrolled as advocate. The Bar Council of India can also specify the conditions subject to which an advocate must have the right to practice and the circumstances under which a person must be deemed to practice as an advocate in a court.

Indian Nursing Council (INC)

The Indian Nursing Council is a statutory body constituted under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. The Council is responsible for regulation and maintenance of a uniform standard of training for Nurses, Midwives, Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives and Health Visitors. Amongst other things, the Council is empowered to make regulations for:
1.      prescribes the standard curricula for the training of nurses, midwives and health visitors; and for training courses for teachers of nurses, midwives and health visitors, and for training in nursing administration;
2.      prescribes conditions for admission to above courses; and
3.      Prescribes standard of examination and other requirements to be satisfied for securing reorganization.


Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), also known as Central council, was constituted under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. The PCI controls pharmacy education and profession in India up to graduate level. The Council prescribes the minimum standard of education for qualification as pharmacist. The Council prescribes:
1.      The nature and period of study of practical training to be undertaken before admission to an examination;
2.      the equipment and facilities to be provided for students undergoing approved courses of study;
3.      the subject of examination and the standards therein to be attained; and
4.      any other conditions of admission to examinations.
What is available in PCI Website?: PCI site provides a list of institutions that are approved by the Council for Degree and Diploma Programs approved along with approved intake and year up to which approval is granted. This list is state-wise. Registration of pharmacists is done by State Pharmacy Councils.
For more info, Visit http://www.pci.nic.in

Dentists Council of India (DCI)

Dentists Council of India, constituted under the Dentists Act, 1948, is a Statutory Body incorporated under an Act of Parliament to regulate the dental education and the profession of Dentistry throughout India. The Council is responsible for according recognition to dental degree awarded by various universities and also for maintaining uniform standards of dental education in India. The Dental Council of India (DCI) lays down minimum requirements in respect of staff and infrastructure and prescribes the syllabus and the scheme of examinations.

For more info, Visit http://www.dciindia.org

National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

The National Council for Teacher Education is a statutory body set up under the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 to facilitate planned and coordinated development of the teacher education system in the country, and for regulation and proper maintenance of norms and standards in the teacher education system. The mandate given to the NCTE is very broad and covers the whole gamut of teacher education programs including research and training of persons to equip them to teach at pre-primary, primary, secondary and senior secondary stages in schools, and non-formal education, part-time education, adult education and distance (correspondence) education courses. The Council, under Section 12 is responsible for the following activities and functions:
1.      to coordinate and monitor teacher education and its development in the country;
2.      lay down guidelines in respect of minimum qualifications for a person to be employed as a teacher;
3.      lay down norms for any specified category of courses or trainings in teacher education;
4.      lay down guidelines for compliance by recognised institutions for starting new courses or training;
5.      lay down standards in respect of examinations, leading to teacher education qualifications; and
6.      Examine and review periodically the implementation of the norms, guidelines and standards laid down by the Council.
The Council is empowered to grant recognition of institutions offering courses or training in teacher education.

What is available in NCTE Website? NCTE website provides details of institutions recognized by NCTE including courses recognized by it. There is a summary Fact Sheet about the institution with some details of the Courses. The site also includes a interesting section on Teacher as a Transformer. In this section, students can contribute and recall teachers who transformed them.

For more info, Visit http://www.ncte-in.org

Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR)

ICAR has established various research centres in order to meet the agricultural research and education needs of the country.It is actively pursuing human resource development in the field of agricultural sciences by setting up numerous agricultural universities spanning the entire country. It provides funding to nearly 30(Thirty) State Agricultural Universities, one Central University and several Deemed Universities. These universities employ about 26,000 scientists for teaching, research and extension education; of these over 6000 scientists are employed in the ICAR supported coordinated projects.

For more info, Visit http://www.icar.org.in

Medical Council of India (MCI)


The Medical Council of India (MCI) was set up by the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, amended in 1993. The council is empowered to prescribe minimum standards for medical education required for granting recognized medical qualifications by universities or medical institutions in India. The Council is empowered to make regulations relating to:
1.      the course and period of study, including duration of practical training to be undertaken, the subjects of examination, and the standards of proficiency therein to be obtained in universities or medical institutions for grant of recognized medical qualifications;
2.      the standard of staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities for medical education; and
3.      the conduction of professional examinations, qualifications of examiners, and the conditions of admissions to such examinations.
The Council is also responsible to give its recommendations to the Central Government for establishing new medical colleges, opening of new or higher courses of study and increase in admission capacity in any courses of study or training.

What is available in MCI Website?: MCI website provides for a list of courses and colleges recognized by MCI in searchable interface. Search can be university, state or course wise. Site also provides status of application of medical professionals who apply for registration of the MCI.

For more info, Visit http://www.mciindia.org

All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE)

All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE)
All India council for Technical Education has been established under the AICTE Act, 1987. The council is authorized to take all steps that are considered appropriate for ensuring coordinated and integrated development of technical education and for maintenance of standards. The Council may, amongst other things:
1.      coordinate the development of technical education in the country at all levels;
2.      evolve suitable performance appraisal system for technical institutions and universities imparting technical education, incorporating norms and mechanisms for enforcing accountability;
3.      laydown norms and standards for courses, curricula, physical and instructional facilities, staff pattern, staff qualifications, quality instruction, assessment and examinations;
4.      Grant approval for starting new technical institutions and for introduction of new course or programmes in consultation with the agencies concerned.

What is available in AICTE Website?: Website provides a list of approved institute’s state-wise for Degree and Diploma Programs in Engineering and Technology, MCA & MBA, Pharmacy, Architecture & Applied Arts, Hotel Management & Catering Technology and M.E./M.Tech. / M.Pharm. /M.Arch.). The site also provides list of programs accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) under the AICTE. Website also provides model curriculum for UG Programs and list of books recommended for management education.

For more info, Visit http://www.aicte.ernet.in

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Admission Notice 2010- 2011 in MAPD Programme is a unique collaboration of IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) and PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia).

MAPD Programme is a unique collaboration of IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) and PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia).

Programme Overview: The MAPD Programme is a unique collaboration of IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) and PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia). Designed with working professionals and new graduates and development practitioners in mind, the MAPD will strengthen the understanding of the concept and practice of participatory development and develop knowledge and skills for managing development projects and programmes in a participatory manner. Through course work, assignments, field exposure and interactions with students and instructors, you will explore the process of participation in development and governance interventions as well as strengthen understanding of key elements of managing developing organizations.
Within a minimum period of two years and a maximum of five years learners can complete either one or all of the following:
®      PG Certificate in Participatory Development (6 months)
®      PG Diploma in Participatory Development (1 year)
®      Advanced Diploma in Participatory Development (18 months)
®      MA in Participatory Development (2 years)
The two year programme is delivered through a combination of distance mode and residential sessions based at IGNOU-PRIA Field Placement centers (IPFPC).
Combining theory with practice and field placement, this programme will prepare professionals who can manage development projects at district and state levels. This programme will also enable development practitioners to upgrade their professional competence, thereby improving their career prospects.
Admissions criteria and process: To be eligible for admission the minimum requirements is a bachelor degree in any discipline.
Fee Structure: The programme tuition fee is Rs. 6,250 per semester (the expense incurred for field work assignments are not included and should be borne by the student).
How to apply: Application Form and Prospectus may be obtained by cash payment of Rs. 200 at the Office of Centre for Extension Education (CEE), IGNOU or Rs. 250 by registered post.
Last date for Application Form for MAPD Programme is 30th November 2010
Filled in Application Form along with the Demand Draft for the amount equivalent to the first installment of the fee, certificates in support of educational qualifications and category certificate should be sent by Regd. Post/Speed Post/by Hand to: or fill up the form on the right side and we will get back to you.
For more information and apply, contact PRIA International Academy of Lifelong Learning (PIALL)  Namrata Jaitli - namrata@pria.org  Niharika Gambhir - niharika@pria.org Phone: +91-11- 29960931 Website: www.priaeducation.org/mapd DIRECTOR, Centre for Extension Education (CEE) DEC Building, 1st Floor Indira Gandhi National Open University Maidan Garhi, New Delhi- 110068 Tel: 011-29534104 Email: mcnair@ignou.ac.in

National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) System

Q.1. What is NEFT?
Ans:  National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) is a nation-wide system that facilitates individuals, firms and corporates to electronically transfer funds from any bank branch to any individual, firm or corporate having an account with any other bank branch in the country.
Q.2. Are all bank branches in the country part of the NEFT funds transfer network?
Ans:  For being part of the NEFT funds transfer network, a bank branch has to be NEFT-enabled. As at end-September 2010, little over 70,000 branches / offices of 99 banks in the country (out of around 80,000 bank branches) are NEFT-enabled. Steps are being taken to further widen the coverage both in terms of banks and branches / offices.
Q.3. How can one know which bank branches are part of the NEFT network?
Ans:  The list of bank branches participating in the NEFT system is available on the website of Reserve Bank of India at http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx. Details will also be available with the banks / branches participating in the NEFT system.
Q.4. Who can transfer funds using NEFT?
Ans:  Individuals, firms or corporates maintaining accounts with a bank branch can transfer funds using NEFT. Even such individuals, firms or corporates who do not have a bank account (walk-in customers) can also deposit cash at the NEFT-enabled branch with instructions to transfer funds using NEFT. A separate Transaction Code (No. 50) has been allotted in the NEFT system to facilitate walk-in customers to deposit cash and transfer funds to a beneficiary. Such customers have to furnish full details including complete address, telephone number, etc. NEFT, thus, facilitates originators or remitters to initiate funds transfer transactions even without the need for having a bank account.
Q.5. Who can receive funds through the NEFT system?
Ans:  Individuals, firms or corporates maintaining accounts with a bank branch can receive funds through the NEFT system. It is, therefore, necessary for the beneficiary to have an account with the NEFT enabled destination bank branch in the country.
The NEFT system also facilitates one-way cross-border transfer of funds from India to Nepal. This is known as the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme. A remitter can transfer funds from any of the NEFT-enabled branches in to Nepal, irrespective of whether the beneficiary in Nepal maintains an account with a bank branch in Nepal or not. The beneficiary would receive funds in Nepalese Rupees. A separate Transaction Code (No. 51) has been allotted in the NEFT system to facilitate the transfer of funds from India to Nepal. Further details on the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme are available on the website of Reserve Bank of India at http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/content/pdfs/84489.pdf.
Q.6. Is there any limit on the amount that could be transferred using NEFT?
Ans:  No. There is no limit – either minimum or maximum – on the amount of funds that could be transferred using NEFT. However, for walk-in customers mentioned at Q.4 and Q.5 above, including those remitting funds under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme, the maximum amount that could be transferred is   Rs. 49,999.
Q.7. Whether the system is centre specific or has any geographical restriction?
Ans:  No. There is no restriction of centres or of any geographical area within the country. The NEFT system takes advantage of the centralised accounting system in banks. For the purpose, the account of a bank that is originating or receiving funds transfer instructions through NEFT is operated centrally at Mumbai. The branches participating in NEFT can, however, be located anywhere across the length and breadth of the country.
To facilitate operation of the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme, the NEFT system also extends to branches of banks in Nepal (as detailed at Q.5 above).
Q.8. What are the operating hours of NEFT?
Ans:  Presently, NEFT operates in hourly batches - there are eleven settlements from to on week days and five settlements from to on Saturdays.
Q.9. How does the NEFT system operate?
Step-1: An individual / firm / corporate intending to originate  transfer of funds through NEFT has to fill an application form providing details of the beneficiary (like, name of the beneficiary, name of the bank branch where the beneficiary has an account, IFSC of the beneficiary bank branch, account type and account number). The application form will be available at the originating bank branch. The remitter authorizes his/her bank branch to debit his account and remit the specified amount to the beneficiary. Customers enjoying net banking facility offered by their bankers can initiate the funds transfer request online. Some banks offer the NEFT facility even through the ATMs. Walk-in customers will, however, have to give their contact details (complete address and telephone number, etc.) to the branch. This will help the branch to refund the money to the customer in case credit could not be afforded to the beneficiary’s bank account or the transaction is rejected / returned for any reason.
Step-2: The originating bank branch prepares a message and sends the message to its pooling centre (also called the NEFT Service Centre).
Step-3: The pooling centre forwards the message to the NEFT Clearing Centre (operated by National Clearing Cell, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai) to be included for the next available batch.
Step-4: The Clearing Centre sorts the funds transfer transactions destination bank-wise and prepares accounting entries to receive funds from (debit) the originating banks and give the funds to (credit) the destination banks. Thereafter, bank-wise remittance messages are forwarded to the destination banks through their pooling centre (NEFT Service Centre).
Step-5: The destination banks receive the inward remittance messages from the Clearing Centre and pass on the credit to the beneficiary accounts.
Q.10. What is IFSC?
Ans:  IFSC or Indian Financial System Code is an alpha-numeric code that uniquely identifies a bank-branch participating in the NEFT system. This is a 11 digit code with the first 4 alpha characters representing the bank, and the last 6 numeric characters representing the branch. The 5th character is 0 (zero). IFSC is used by the NEFT system to route the messages to the destination banks / branches.
Q.11. How can the IFSC of a bank-branch be found?
Ans:  Bank-wise list of IFSCs is available with all the bank-branches participating in NEFT. List of bank-branches participating in NEFT and their IFSCs is available on the website of Reserve Bank of India at http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx. All the banks have also been advised to print the IFSC of the branch on cheques issued by branches to their customers. For net banking customers many banks have enabled online search / pop-up of the IFSC of the destination bank branch.
Q.12. What are the processing or service charges for NEFT transactions?
Ans:  Reserve Bank of India has waived the processing or service charges for member banks till March 31, 2011. Accordingly, member banks participating in NEFT need not pay any processing or service charges to Reserve Bank of India. Further, processing or service charges to be levied by the member banks from their customers have also been rationalized by Reserve Bank of India as under: –
a) Inward transactions at destination bank branches (for credit to beneficiary accounts)
 – Free, no charges to be levied from beneficiaries
b) Outward transactions at originating bank branches (charges for the remitter)
– For transactions up to `. 1 lakh – not exceeding `. 5 (+ Service Tax)
– For transactions of `. 1 lakh & above – not exceeding `. 25 (+ Service Tax).
Note: Charges applicable for transferring funds from India to Nepal using the NEFT system (under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme), are as under –
a.      Originating bank branch in India – Maximum `. 5 (+ Service Tax) per transaction.
b.      State Bank of India in India – `. 20 (+ Service Tax) per transaction if the beneficiary maintains an account with Nepal SBI Ltd. (NSBL).
c.       State Bank of India shares this amount equally with NSBL. NSBL would not charge any additional amount for crediting the account of the beneficiary.
d.      In case the beneficiary does not maintain an account with NSBL, an additional amount would be charged @ `. 50 (+ Service Tax) for remittances up to ` 5,000 and `. 75 (+ Service Tax) for remittances above `. 5,000.
The charges for the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme would, thus, be a minimum of ` 25 (+ Service Tax) or a maximum of`. 100 (+ Service Tax) depending on the value of transaction and the manner in which credit is afforded to the beneficiary.
Originating bank branches have been advised to recover the entire charges from the remitter as per the structure detailed above and pass on the appropriate amount to SBI after retaining their share (of `. 5 + Service Tax).
Q.13. When can the beneficiary expect to get the credit to his bank account?
Ans:  The beneficiary can expect to get credit for the first nine batches on week days (i.e., transactions from to ) and the first four batches on Saturdays (i.e., transactions from to ) on the same day. For transactions settled in the last two batches on week days (i.e., transactions settled in the 6 and 7 pm batches) and the last batch on Saturdays (i.e., transactions handled in the 1 pm batch) beneficiaries can expect to get credit either on the same day or on the next working day morning (depending on the type of facility enjoyed by the beneficiary with his bank).
The timelines for remittances to Nepal using the NEFT system (under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme) are detailed separately at http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/content/pdfs/84489.pdf.
Q.14. Who should be contacted in case of non-credit or delay in credit to the beneficiary account?
Ans:  In case of non-credit or delay in credit to the beneficiary account, the NEFT Customer Facilitation Centre (CFC) of the respective bank can be contacted (the remitter can contact his bank’s CFC; the beneficiary may contact the CFC of his bank). Details of NEFT Customer Facilitation Centres of banks are available on the websites of the respective banks. The details are also available on the website of Reserve Bank of India at http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx.
If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, the NEFT Help Desk (or Customer Facilitation Centre of Reserve Bank of India) at National Clearing Cell, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai may be contacted through e-mail at nefthelpdeskncc@rbi.org.in or by addressing correspondence to the General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, National Clearing Centre, First Floor, Free Press House, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400 021.
Q.15. What will happen if credit is not afforded to the account of the beneficiary?
Ans:  If it is not possible to afford credit to the account of the beneficiary for whatever reason, destination banks are required to return the transaction (to the originating branch) within two hours of completion of the batch in which the transaction was processed.
For example, if a customer submits a fund transfer request at 12.05 p.m. to a NEFT-enabled branch, the branch in turn forwards the message through its pooling centre to the NEFT Clearing Centre for processing in the immediately available batch which (say) is the 1.00 pm batch. The destination bank, if is unable to afford the credit to the beneficiary for any reason, has to return the transaction to the originating bank, not later than in the batch. The originating branch is expected to afford credit to the originating customer, maybe within the next 30 minutes, (say) by . To conclude, for all uncredited transactions, customers can reasonably expect the funds to be received back by them in around 3 to 4 hours time.
Q.16. Can NEFT be used to transfer funds from / to NRE and NRO accounts?
Ans:  Yes. NEFT can be used to transfer funds from or to NRE and NRO accounts in the country. This, however, is subject to the adherence of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2000 (FEMA).
Q.17. Can inward foreign remittances be received through NEFT?
Ans:  No. The NEFT system can be used only for remitting Indian Rupees between the participating bank branches in the country.
Q.18. Can remittances abroad be sent using NEFT?
Ans:  No. However, a facility is available to send outward remittances to Nepal under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme. Details of this scheme are available on the website of Reserve Bank of India at http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/content/pdfs/84489. pdf.
Q.19. What are the other transactions that could be initiated using NEFT?
Ans:  The NEFT system can be used to pay credit card dues to the card issuing banks. A separate Transaction Code (No. 52) has been allotted in the NEFT system to facilitate the payment of credit card dues to card issuing banks. It is necessary to quote the IFSC of the beneficiary card issuing bank to initiate the bill payment transactions using NEFT.
Q.20. Can a transaction be originated to draw (receive) funds from another account?
Ans:  No. NEFT is a credit-push system i.e., transactions can be originated only to transfer funds to a beneficiary.
Q.21. Would the remitter receive an acknowledgement once the funds are transferred to the account of the beneficiary?
Ans:  Yes. In case of successful credit to the beneficiary's account, the bank which had originated the transaction is expected to send a confirmation to the originating customer (through SMS or e-mail) advising of the credit as also mentioning the date and time of credit. For the purpose, remitters need to provide their mobile number / e-mail-id to the branch at the time of originating the transaction.
Q.22. Is there a way for the remitter to track a transaction in NEFT?
Ans:  Yes, the remitter can track the NEFT transaction through the originating bank branch. It is possible for the originating bank branch to keep track and be aware of the status of the NEFT transaction at all times.
Q.23. What are the pre-requisites for originating a NEFT transaction?
Ans:  Following are the pre-requisites for putting through a funds transfer transaction using NEFT –
Originating and destination bank branches should be part of the NEFT network
Beneficiary details such as beneficiary name, account number and account type
Name and IFSC of the beneficiary bank branch. For net banking customers, some banks provide the facility to automatically pop-up the IFSC once name of the destination bank and branch is highlighted / chosen/indicated/keyed in.
Q.24. What are the other features of NEFT?
Ans:  Launched in October 2005, NEFT is an electronic payment system that uses a secure mode of transferring funds from one bank branch to another bank branch. NEFT uses the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology to ensure end-to-end security and rides on the Indian Financial Network (INFINET) to connect the bank branches for electronic transfer of funds. The participating banks, branch coverage and transaction volumes have been continuously increasing, which is reflective of the acceptance and popularity of the NEFT system. For further details about the NEFT system and the NEFT Procedural Guidelines – available on the website of Reserve Bank of India at http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx. – may also be referred.