Send money from the UK to Kerala
Kerala receives a larger share of India's money from abroad than any state except Maharashtra. Here is today's pound to rupee rate, what you need to pay into a bank account in Kerala, and the festivals when families send the most.
Written by Sonic Wallet editorial team · Last reviewed: 1 November 2026
Key facts
- On 2 Nov 2026, 06:10 GMT, £1 was worth ₹127.19 at the mid-market rate.
- Kerala received 19.7% of the money India received from abroad in 2023-24, the second-largest share of any state or union territory, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
- Sonic Wallet sends pounds from the UK to bank accounts in Kerala.
- The main language is Malayalam.
- Popular times to send extra money: Onam, Vishu, Christmas and Eid.
Rate last updated:
How many rupees will arrive?
Mid-market rate: £1 = ₹127.1934. Converted at the mid-market rate, before any fee or margin. You will see the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm a transfer.
Send money to IndiaSending money to a bank account in Kerala
Several banks have their head offices in Kerala, including Federal Bank in Aluva, and South Indian Bank, CSB Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank in Thrissur. National banks such as State Bank of India and Canara Bank also have large networks in the state.
Whichever bank the recipient uses, you need their name as the bank has it, their account number and the IFSC of their branch. Our guide to Indian bank details explains where to find each one.
State Bank of Travancore merged into State Bank of India on 1 April 2017. Former State Bank of Travancore branches now use State Bank of India IFSC codes, so check the recipient's current details.
Busy times for sending money to Kerala
- Onam: August or September
- Vishu: mid-April
- Christmas: 25 December
- Eid: dates move each year
If the money needs to arrive by a particular day, send it a few days early, so there is time to sort out any problem with the bank details. Our analysis of the best time to send money to India looks at how the pound to rupee rate moves.
Kerala's share of India's remittances
Kerala received 19.7% of the money India received from abroad in 2023-24, the second-largest share of any state or union territory, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
| State | 2016-17 | 2020-21 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 19.0% | 10.2% | 19.7% |
Kerala's share almost halved in 2020-21, when many Keralites working in the Gulf returned home during the pandemic, and it recovered to 19.7% in 2023-24.
The Reserve Bank of India also points to a rise in the number of students among people leaving Kerala, and a growing preference for countries outside the Gulf.
The UK is one of India's biggest sources of money from abroad: 10.8% of the remittances India received in 2023-24 came from the UK, up from 6.8% in 2020-21, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
The Reserve Bank of India's figures cover money sent for family maintenance and savings, and local withdrawals from non-resident deposit accounts.
Malayalis in the UK
Many Malayalis in the UK work in health and social care, including as NHS nurses.
Malayalam is the main language of Kerala.
Read about sending money to India in Malayalam: മലയാളം
Frequently asked questions
How much of India's remittances go to Kerala?+
Kerala received 19.7% of all the money India received from abroad in 2023-24, second only to Maharashtra, according to the Reserve Bank of India's remittances survey. Its share had fallen to 10.2% in 2020-21, when many workers returned from the Gulf during the pandemic.
My family's account was with State Bank of Travancore. Which details do I use?+
State Bank of Travancore merged into State Bank of India on 1 April 2017, and its branches now have State Bank of India IFSC codes. Ask the recipient for the current IFSC from their passbook, cheque book or banking app.
Do I need an NRE account to send money to Kerala?+
No. You can send money from the UK to anyone's bank account in Kerala. If you are an Indian citizen living in the UK, an NRE or NRO account in your own name can be useful for savings or property in India.
When do people send the most money to Kerala?+
Many families send extra money before Onam in August or September, Vishu in mid-April, Christmas and Eid. If the money has to arrive by a particular day, send it a few days early.
Sending money to other states
Useful tools and guides
Sources
- Changing Dynamics of India's Remittances: Sixth Round of India's Remittances Survey (2023-24), Reserve Bank of India Bulletin, March 2025
- NEFT frequently asked questions, Reserve Bank of India
- List of NEFT-enabled bank branches and their IFSCs, Reserve Bank of India