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Find Out Which Banks Will Remain Shut Tomorrow Following Ajit Pawar’s Demise
The city of Pune and the state of Maharashtra are observing a period of collective mourning following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati. As a result, the Maharashtra government has announced three days of state mourning, during which all government offices, courts, and public institutions will remain closed. This includes banks, schools, and colleges, which will be closed on January 29, 2026.
Public sector banks, such as State Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, and Central Bank of India, will be closed, while private banks may keep limited branches operational. However, ATMs, mobile banking apps, and online payment platforms will continue to function, covering nearly 70% of Pune’s daily retail transactions.
The plane crash occurred on January 27, 2026, when a chartered Learjet 45 attempted an emergency landing at Baramati airport but lost control and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of five people. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun a formal technical probe into the incident.
The closure of banks and schools comes at a sensitive time, as it is the end of the month and many people are expecting salary credits, loan repayments, and business settlements. Customers are advised to rely on online banking, UPI platforms, and ATMs to manage their urgent needs and reschedule branch visits accordingly.
The Maharashtra government has declared state mourning fewer than ten times in the last three decades, reflecting the significance of this loss. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has described Ajit Pawar as a leader deeply rooted in grassroots politics and credited him with shaping key infrastructure and irrigation projects.
A list of bank holidays in Pune for the year has been released, which includes holidays on January 26 (Republic Day), February 14 (Second Saturday), and March 3 (Holi), among others. The list also includes holidays for festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, and Gudi Padwa.
Senior citizens can earn up to 8% interest rate on 5-year fixed deposits; compare the top FD rates offered by public, private, and small finance banks
For senior citizens seeking stable and fixed income, there are still attractive fixed deposit (FD) options available, despite many leading banks and small finance banks slashing their FD interest rates. Currently, a few banks offer FD rates of up to 8% on their five-year senior citizen FDs. The interest rates vary among public and private sector banks, as well as small finance banks, for FDs of the same duration.
Small finance banks offer the highest five-year FD interest rates for senior citizens, with Suryoday Small Finance Bank providing an 8% interest rate, followed by Jana Small Finance Bank at 7.77%, and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank at 7.7%. Other small finance banks, such as Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Equitas Small Finance Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank, offer interest rates ranging from 7.5% to 7.25%.
Among private sector banks, IDFC Bank, Yes Bank, and SBM Bank India offer a 7.5% interest rate each on their five-year fixed deposits for senior citizens. Other private sector banks, such as DCB Bank, Axis Bank, and RBL Bank, offer interest rates ranging from 7.25% to 7.1%.
Public sector banks also offer competitive interest rates, with State Bank of India providing a 7.05% FD interest rate on its five-year senior citizen FD. Bank of Baroda offers a 6.9% rate, while Bank of India and Canara Bank offer a 6.75% rate each on their five-year FDs for senior citizens.
Overall, senior citizens have a range of options to choose from, with interest rates varying from 8% to 5.5% depending on the bank and the duration of the FD. It is essential for senior citizens to compare the interest rates and terms offered by different banks to make an informed decision that suits their financial needs. By choosing the right FD option, senior citizens can ensure a stable and fixed income, which can help them manage their expenses and maintain their standard of living.
Which Public Sector Bank is likely to emerge as the top performer in the current financial year?
The banking sector is expected to be in the spotlight as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% on December 5. This move is likely to have a significant impact on the monetary structure of the banking sector, leading to lower interest rates for consumers on loans such as home loans and car loans.
As the season of financial results declaration is underway, several public sector banks are set to release their financial results for the December-end quarter. The Bank of India, Union Bank of India, IDBI Bank, and Central Bank of India have announced the dates for the declaration of their financial results as January 21, January 14, January 17, and January 16, respectively.
However, the three largest public sector banks (PSBs) – State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Bank of Baroda – have yet to announce the dates for the declaration of their financial results. Despite this, investors and analysts can draw some expectations from the previous quarter’s results.
The reduction in the repo rate is expected to boost the banking sector’s performance, as it will lead to lower borrowing costs for banks and increased lending to consumers and businesses. This, in turn, is likely to have a positive impact on the banks’ net interest income and profitability.
The upcoming financial results of the public sector banks will be closely watched by investors, analysts, and regulators, as they will provide insights into the impact of the RBI’s monetary policy decisions on the banking sector. The results will also provide a glimpse into the banks’ asset quality, capital adequacy, and overall financial health.
Overall, the banking sector is expected to be in focus in the coming weeks, with the financial results of public sector banks providing valuable insights into the sector’s performance and the impact of the RBI’s policy decisions. As the largest PSBs, SBI, PNB, and Bank of Baroda, are yet to announce their results, their declarations will be closely watched by the market.
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After a 5-year decline, state-run banks see a surge in employee numbers, while private banks experience a 0.9% workforce reduction
The Indian banking sector has seen a shift in employee counts, with public sector banks adding 13,179 employees to reach 9,70,437 in FY25, while private banks saw a 0.86% drop to 8,38,150 employees. State-run banks, which had earlier focused on consolidation and improving balance sheets, have now started to expand their headcount. The largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), added 3,930 employees to reach 2,36,226 in FY25. SBI plans to hire 18,000 more employees in FY26, including 13,500 clerical posts and 3,000 probationary officers.
The government’s consolidation efforts, which began in 2017 with the merger of five associate banks with SBI, have continued with the merger of 12 banks into four larger entities in 2020. There are talks of a third wave of mergers to reduce the total number of banks to four core anchors. Recently, SBI hired over 1,000 probationary officers and plans to continue hiring.
Among other public sector banks, Punjab National Bank added 397 employees to reach 1,02,746, while Central Bank of India saw a marginal uptick in employee count to 33,081. However, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank saw a decline in employee count. In the private sector, ICICI Bank saw a significant decline of 7.13% in employee count to 1,30,957, while HDFC Bank added 994 employees to reach 2,14,521. Axis Bank added 121 employees to reach 1,04,453.
The overall headcount in the banking system rose to 18,08,587 from 17,87,566 in FY24. Foreign banks’ employee count stood at 28,041, while small finance banks had 1,77,797 employees, with AU Bank being the largest employer with 50,946. The payments banks had 6,958 employees. The banking sector’s employee count is expected to continue to evolve with the ongoing consolidation and technological advancements.
Top FD Options for Seniors: Earn Up to 8% Interest Annually with These High-Yielding Fixed Deposits – View Complete List on Goodreturns
Best Fixed Deposits for Senior Citizens: Earn Up to 8% Annual Return
As a senior citizen, it’s essential to invest in a secure and stable financial instrument that provides a regular income stream. Fixed Deposits (FDs) are an excellent option, offering a fixed return on investment with minimal risk. Here’s a list of the best FDs for senior citizens, providing up to 8% annual return.
Top Banks Offering High-Return FDs for Senior Citizens
Several banks in India offer attractive interest rates on FDs for senior citizens. Some of the top banks include:
- Yes Bank: Offers 7.50% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure and 7.25% for 2-3 year tenure.
- IndusInd Bank: Provides 7.40% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure and 7.20% for 2-3 year tenure.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank: Offers 7.30% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure and 7.10% for 2-3 year tenure.
- HDFC Bank: Provides 7.25% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure and 7.00% for 2-3 year tenure.
- ICICI Bank: Offers 7.20% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure and 6.95% for 2-3 year tenure.
Other Banks Offering Attractive FD Rates
In addition to the above-mentioned banks, other financial institutions also offer competitive interest rates on FDs for senior citizens. These include:
- Bajaj Finance: Offers 8.00% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure.
- Mahindra Finance: Provides 7.80% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure.
- SBI: Offers 7.10% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure.
- Axis Bank: Provides 7.05% interest rate for 3-4 year tenure.
Key Benefits of FDs for Senior Citizens
Fixed Deposits offer several benefits for senior citizens, including:
- Guaranteed Returns: FDs provide a fixed return on investment, ensuring a regular income stream.
- Low Risk: FDs are a low-risk investment option, making them ideal for senior citizens.
- Flexibility: FDs offer flexible tenure options, allowing senior citizens to choose the investment period that suits their needs.
- Tax Benefits: Interest earned on FDs is taxable, but senior citizens can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 50,000 under Section 80TTB.
In conclusion, senior citizens can earn up to 8% annual return on their investments by opting for the best FDs offered by various banks and financial institutions. It’s essential to compare the interest rates and tenure options before making an investment decision.