January 15 bank holiday in select regions—See city-wise list and services you can still use

On January 15, banks in certain regions of India will be closed owing to Uttarayana Punyakala, Pongal, Maghe Sankranti, Makara Sankranti, and the Municipal Corporation Elections in Maharashtra. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official calendar, there will be a holiday in banking services in nine states, while banks in the other states will operate normally.

So, if you have banking work planned, it is important to know whether your city is affected and which services will still be available.

Why are banks closed on January 15?

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The bank holiday on January 15 is associated with Makara Sankranti, a large Hindu festival which is celebrated in different ways all over India under various names. The moment when the Sun enters the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac sign marks the beginning of the Uttarayana period, when the Sun starts moving northward.

This day is considered highly auspicious and symbolises new beginnings, positivity, and the end of winter. People celebrate by offering prayers, preparing sweets made from sesame and jaggery, flying kites, and giving charity.

In Maharashtra, banks will also remain shut due to Municipal Corporation Elections, as per government rules.

Which cities will see bank closures on January 15?

As per the RBI holiday list, banks will remain closed in the following cities on January 15:

• Belapur
• Bengaluru
• Chennai
• Gangtok
• Hyderabad
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• Nagpur
• Vijayawada

Banks in other states and cities will continue to operate normally.

Which banking services can you use on a bank holiday?

In any case, the customers can make use of the online banking services despite the bank branches being closed. The majority of banks give the following services to the users:

• Internet banking
• Mobile banking apps
• UPI transactions
• ATM services

However, services that need in-person visits, such as cheque clearing or branch-related work, may not be available. Customers are advised to plan such tasks before or after the holiday.

Which other bank holidays are coming up in January?

Other than January 15, banks would also be closed on the following days in January on account of festivals and national holidays:

• January 16 – Thiruvalluvar Day
• January 17 – Uzhavar Thirunal
• January 23 – Basant Panchami
• January 26 – Republic Day

These dates should be considered by the customers while planning activities related to banking.