Send money from the UK to West Bengal
West Bengal received 2.3% of India's money from abroad in 2023-24. Here is today's pound to rupee rate, what you need to pay into a bank account in Kolkata or anywhere in the state, 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.
- West Bengal received 2.3% of the money India received from abroad in 2023-24, the 12th-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 West Bengal.
- The main language is Bengali.
- Popular times to send extra money: Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Poila Boishakh 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 West Bengal
UCO Bank and Bandhan Bank have their head offices in Kolkata, and State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank have large networks across 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.
United Bank of India and Allahabad Bank, both headquartered in Kolkata, merged on 1 April 2020: United Bank of India into Punjab National Bank and Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank. Branches of both now use new IFSC codes.
Busy times for sending money to West Bengal
- Durga Puja: September or October
- Kali Puja: on the night of Diwali, in October or November
- Poila Boishakh: the Bengali New Year, in mid-April
- 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.
West Bengal's share of India's remittances
West Bengal received 2.3% of the money India received from abroad in 2023-24, the 12th-largest share of any state or union territory, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
| State | 2016-17 | 2020-21 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 2.7% | 1.4% | 2.3% |
West Bengal's share fell to 1.4% in 2020-21 and recovered to 2.3% in 2023-24.
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.
Bengalis in the UK
Most Bengali speakers in the UK have family roots in Bangladesh rather than West Bengal. This page is about West Bengal, in India, where the money arrives in Indian rupees.
Bengali is the official language of West Bengal.
Read about sending money to India in Bengali: বাংলা
Frequently asked questions
How much of India's remittances go to West Bengal?+
West Bengal received 2.3% of all the money India received from abroad in 2023-24, according to the Reserve Bank of India's remittances survey, up from 1.4% in 2020-21.
My family's account was with United Bank of India or Allahabad Bank. What has changed?+
United Bank of India is now part of Punjab National Bank, and Allahabad Bank is part of Indian Bank. Their branches have new IFSC codes, so ask the recipient for their current details before you send.
Is sending money to West Bengal different from sending it to Bangladesh?+
Yes. West Bengal is in India, so the money arrives in Indian rupees (INR) through Indian payment systems, using an IFSC code. Bangladesh uses the taka (BDT) and its own banking system.
When do people send the most money to West Bengal?+
Many families send extra money before Durga Puja in September or October, Kali Puja and Diwali, Poila Boishakh in mid-April, and Eid.
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