Bank Holiday on October 21: Check If Your City's SBI, HDFC or ICICI Branch Is Shut

Banks may be closed in some cities on 21 October, according to reporting by Livemint. The report carries a city-wise holiday list, so your own branch may or may not be shut.

So check your city before you plan a branch visit. SBI, HDFC and ICICI customers can still use UPI, net banking and ATMs in most cases. Only work that needs a branch counter is likely to wait.

Key takeaways

• Bank holidays differ by city and state, so one list doesn't fit everyone.
• Livemint's report gives a city-wise list for 21 October.
• Branch work like cash and cheque deposits may wait for the next working day.
• UPI, mobile banking and ATMs usually keep working on a holiday.
• Plan any EMI or deadline payment a day early.

Why bank holidays differ by city

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes a yearly list of bank holidays. Some are national. Many apply only to one state or city. That's why a branch in one city can be shut while another stays open.

Public banks like SBI generally follow the same list in a given city. Private banks like HDFC and ICICI do too. So the answer to the headline question depends on where your branch is. Always look up your own city.

What a holiday means for your money

On a holiday, branch counters don't open. Cash deposits, cheque deposits, demand drafts and passbook updates wait. Digital services usually keep running. That covers UPI, mobile apps, net banking and most ATMs.

Here's a simple view of what to expect. The amounts are only examples.

Task	Example amount	On a branch holiday
UPI payment	₹2,000	Usually works
Net banking transfer	₹25,000	Usually works
Cash deposit at the counter	₹50,000	Waits a day
Cheque deposit	₹30,000	Waits a day

Now think about an EMI. An EMI is the fixed amount you pay every month on a loan. If your EMI date falls on a holiday, the auto-debit may happen on the next working day. Your lender may then count it as a day late.

Take a ₹5,00,000 loan at 12% a year. One day of interest is about ₹5,00,000 × 12% ÷ 365, which is roughly ₹164. That's small. But a late fee can be more, so don't leave it to chance. You can test your own numbers with the EMI calculator.

Who is affected

Small shop owners who deposit cash each day will feel it most. So will anyone holding a paper cheque with a due date. Senior citizens who prefer branch visits may also need to change plans.

Salaried people who pay everything online will notice very little. If you're applying for a loan, branch visits for paperwork may slip by a day. Some lenders also work through apps, such as an instant loan platform, though checks can still take time.

What to do now

A few quick steps will keep your day smooth:

1. Look up your city in Livemint's list for 21 October.
2. Deposit cash or cheques before the holiday, if you can.
3. Keep enough balance for any EMI or bill due on or near that day.
4. Use UPI or net banking for urgent payments.
5. Keep some cash in hand in case an ATM runs empty.

If you have a loan due soon, read our personal loan guides to learn how late fees work. For more updates like this, visit the news hub.

Frequently asked questions

Are SBI, HDFC and ICICI closed on 21 October?

It depends on your city. Livemint's report gives a city-wise list. Check it for your branch location.

Will UPI and net banking work on a bank holiday?

Usually yes. Digital services run all day. A branch holiday mainly stops counter work like cash and cheque deposits.

What happens if my EMI date falls on a holiday?

The auto-debit is often taken on the next working day. To be safe, keep money in your account early. Also check your lender's late-fee rules.