Bank customers across India need to take note of closures today. Thursday, January 15, sees banks shut in ten major cities due to multiple regional festivals and elections.
Why Are Banks Closed Today?
Today's closures stem from three key events. Banks are observing holidays for the festivals of Makar Sankranti and Pongal. Simultaneously, branches in Maharashtra are closed for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. These holidays operate under the rules of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
City-Wise Status for January 15
Here is the operational status for banks in major Indian cities today. Remember, this list is based on the Reserve Bank of India's holiday calendar.
- Closed Cities: Belapur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Vijayawada.
- Open Cities: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kohima, Kolkata, New Delhi, Panaji, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram.
In total, banks will function normally in most parts of the country. Only the ten listed cities experience a full closure of physical branches.
Essential Banking Services Remain Available
Even with branch closures, customers can access crucial financial services. Digital and self-service platforms continue to operate without interruption.
You can still perform the following tasks online or via mobile apps:
- Conduct fund transfers and check account balances.
- Pay utility bills and other payments.
- Use NEFT and RTGS services within their standard operational windows.
- Withdraw cash from ATMs and use debit/credit cards.
- Request new chequebooks or demand drafts online.
Banking authorities advise customers to plan any necessary in-person branch visits for another day. Utilizing internet and mobile banking ensures seamless service during the holiday.
Understanding the Broader Holiday Calendar
This January closure fits into a larger schedule. The RBI's calendar for the fiscal year lists a total of 16 bank holidays in January. This count includes the mandatory weekly closures on the second and fourth Saturdays, along with all Sundays.
Customers should always refer to the official RBI holiday calendar for the most accurate and updated information. Planning ahead using this resource helps avoid inconvenience.
