Which private sector bank in India made online fund transfers through RTGS and NEFT free of cost from November 1 in order to promote digital transactions?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: HDFC Bank

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question relates to banking awareness and digital payments. After the push towards a less cash economy, many banks revised their transaction charges to encourage customers to use online channels. One well publicised move was a bank decision to make RTGS and NEFT transfers free when done online from a specific date, which quickly became a commonly asked current affairs point.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    The facility mentioned is online RTGS and NEFT fund transfer.
    The charges were made zero from November 1 for online transactions.
    Options list HDFC Bank, Karur Vysya Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI Bank.
    We assume that the question refers to the widely reported announcement by a major private sector bank.


Concept / Approach:
Real Time Gross Settlement and National Electronic Funds Transfer are major interbank payment systems in India. Banks can charge customers for using them, especially at branches, but sometimes waive fees for online channels. The bank in news for making online RTGS and NEFT transfers free of cost from November 1 was HDFC Bank. Thus, the approach is to match this factual recall with the options.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that this is a specific current affairs question about a pricing decision. Step 2: Recall that HDFC Bank announced that savings and salary account holders would not be charged for online RTGS and NEFT transactions from November 1. Step 3: Confirm that this move was described as part of an effort to encourage digital payments. Step 4: Look at the options and find HDFC Bank among them. Step 5: Select HDFC Bank as the correct option and rule out others.


Verification / Alternative check:
Banking and general awareness notes prepared for exams mention that HDFC Bank removed fees on online RTGS and NEFT transfers from November 1, while charges at branches remained. Other banks later made similar changes, but this particular date and phrasing in question banks consistently point to HDFC Bank. This cross verification ensures that the answer is not confused with later policy changes by other banks or the Reserve Bank of India.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Karur Vysya Bank is a regional private sector bank and did not feature in headlines for this specific nationwide move on November 1. ICICI Bank and SBI have also adjusted transaction charges at various times, but the exam oriented one liner about free online RTGS and NEFT from November 1 refers to HDFC Bank. Selecting any of these other banks would mismatch the timing and details of the policy.


Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates may guess SBI Bank because it is India's largest bank, or ICICI Bank because it is another large private sector bank. Another pitfall is mixing up this question with later RBI decisions on NEFT and RTGS charges. To avoid such confusion, learners should link the phrase from November 1 free of cost for online RTGS and NEFT with HDFC Bank specifically.


Final Answer:
The bank that made online RTGS and NEFT fund transfers free of cost from November 1 was HDFC Bank.

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