Bank Holidays List 2026 in India helps you plan bank visits, financial transactions, and important paperwork in advance without last-minute surprises. In India, bank holidays are declared by the RBI and vary by state due to regional festivals, national observances, and weekend rules. Since banks remain closed on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays, knowing the exact holiday schedule for 2026 becomes essential for both individuals and businesses.
This blog provides a clear, month-wise and state-wise overview so you can manage your banking needs smoothly throughout the year.
Who Decides Bank Holidays in India?
Bank holidays in India are primarily decided by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which issues an official holiday calendar every year under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The RBI notifies holidays during which banks remain closed for public dealings, ensuring uniformity across the banking system while also allowing flexibility for regional observances.
Role of RBI in Declaring Bank Holidays
The RBI prepares and publishes a state-wise list of bank holidays based on:
- National holidays observed across the country
- Religious and cultural festivals
- State-specific occasions and anniversaries
- Weekend closures (Sundays and second & fourth Saturdays)
Banks follow these RBI notifications to decide their working and non-working days.
Difference Between National, State, and Regional Holidays
| Holiday Type | Applicable Area | Examples | Bank Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Holidays | All over India | Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti | Banks closed nationwide |
| State Holidays | Specific states | State foundation day, regional festivals | Banks closed in selected states |
| Regional Holidays | Particular cities or regions | Local fairs, regional observances | Banks closed in limited areas |
Why Bank Holidays Differ from State to State
India’s cultural and religious diversity is the main reason bank holidays vary across states. Festivals like Pongal, Bihu, Onam, Durga Puja, or Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated widely in certain regions but not nationwide. To respect these regional traditions, the RBI allows state governments to recommend holidays, resulting in a different bank holiday list for each state.
Types of Bank Holidays in India
Bank holidays in India are broadly classified into different categories based on their applicability and purpose. The table below explains each type clearly.
| Type of Bank Holiday | Description | Examples / Rules |
|---|---|---|
| National Bank Holidays | Holidays observed across the entire country. All banks remain closed nationwide on these days. | Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) |
| Gazetted Holidays | Holidays officially declared by the Central Government and notified by the RBI under the Negotiable Instruments Act. | Central government–declared holidays applicable to banks |
| State-Specific Bank Holidays | Holidays based on regional festivals, cultural events, and state anniversaries. Applicable only in notified states. | Diwali, Pongal, Onam, Bihu, regional foundation days |
| Weekend Closures | Regular weekly bank closures followed uniformly across India. | All Sundays; Second and Fourth Saturdays of every month |
List of RBI Bank Holidays for
January 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Celebrated in |
|
1 January 2026 |
Tuesday |
New Year’s Day |
Varies by state |
|
6 January 2026 |
Tuesday |
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti |
Several states |
|
11 January 2026 |
Sunday |
Missionary Day |
Mizoram |
|
12 January 2026 |
Monday |
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti |
West Bengal |
|
13 January 2026 |
Tuesday |
Lohri |
Punjab and other states |
|
14 January 2026 |
Wednesday |
Sankranti |
Several states |
|
14 January 2026 |
Wedesday |
Pongal |
Tamil Nadu |
|
15 January 2026 |
Thursday |
Thiruvalluvar Day |
Tamil Nadu |
|
15 January 2026 |
Thursday |
Magh Bihu |
Assam |
|
23 January 2026 |
Friday |
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti |
West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha |
|
24 January 2026 |
Fourth Saturday |
Fourth Saturday |
All over India |
|
26 January 2026 |
Republic Day |
Republic Day |
Across the country |
February 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
States |
|
1 February 2026 |
Sunday |
Guru Ravidas Jayanti |
Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab |
|
15 February 2026 |
Sunday |
Maha Shivaratri |
National except Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal |
|
15 February 2026 |
Sunday |
Lui-Ngai-Ni |
Manipur |
|
18 February 2026 |
Wednesday |
Losar |
Sikkim |
|
19 February 2026 |
Thursday |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti |
Maharasthra |
|
20 February 2026 |
Friday |
Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day / Mizoram State Day |
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram |
March 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
State |
|
3 March 2026 |
Tuesday |
Yaosang |
Manipur |
|
3 March 2026 |
Tuesday |
Doljatra |
West Bengal |
|
4 March 2026 |
Wednesday |
Yaosang 2nd Day |
Manipur |
|
4 March 2026 |
Wednesday |
Holi |
Several States |
|
5 March 2026 |
Thursday |
Panchayatiraj Divas |
Orrisa |
|
17 March 2026 |
Tuesday |
Shab-i-Qadr |
Jammu and Kashmir |
|
19 March 2026 |
Thursday |
Ugadi |
Several States |
|
19 March 2026 |
Thursday |
Gudi Padwa |
Maharasthra |
|
20 March 2026 |
Friday |
Jamat Ul-Vida |
Jammu and Kashmir |
|
21 March 2026 |
Saturday |
Idul Fitr |
Across India |
|
21 March 2026 |
Saturday |
Sarhul |
Jharkhand |
|
23 March 2026 |
Monday |
Bhagat Singh Martyrdom Day |
Haryana |
|
26 March 2026 |
Thursday |
Rama Navami |
All Over India |
|
31 March 2026 |
Tuesday |
Mahavir Jayanti |
Several States |
April 2026
|
Holiday |
Date |
Day |
Celebrated in |
|
Odisha Day |
1 April 2026 |
Wednesday |
Odisha |
|
Good Friday |
3 April 2026 |
Friday |
Across India |
|
Easter Saturday |
4 April 2026 |
Saturday |
Many States |
|
Easter Sunday |
5 April 2026 |
Sunday |
Many States |
|
Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti |
5 April 2026 |
Sunday |
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana |
|
Vaisakh |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Punjab |
|
Biju Festival |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Tripura |
|
Dr Ambedkar Jayanti |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Many States |
|
Tamil New Year |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Puducherry and Tamil Nadu |
|
Vishu |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Kerala |
|
Bohag Bihu |
14 April to 20 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh |
|
Cheiraoba |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Manipur |
|
Bengali New Year |
14 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
West Bengal |
|
Himachal Day |
15 April 2026 |
Wednesday |
Himachal |
|
Maharshi Parasuram Jayanti |
19 April 2026 |
Sunday |
Gujrat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan |
|
Basava Jayanti |
20 April 2026 |
Monday |
Karnataka |
|
Garia Puja |
21 April 2026 |
Tuesday |
Tripura |
May 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
State |
|
1 May 2026 |
Friday |
May Day |
Several States |
|
9 May 2026 |
Saturday |
Guru Rabindranath Jayanti |
Tripura, West Bengal |
|
16 May 2026 |
Saturday |
Sikkim State Day |
Sikkim |
|
26 May 2026 |
Tuesday |
Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti |
Tripura |
|
27 May 2026 |
Wednesday |
Bakri Eid/ Eid-Al-Adha |
Several States |
|
28 May 2026 |
Thursday |
Bakri Eid/ Eid-Al-Adha |
Jammu & Kashmir |
June 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
State |
|
14 June 2026 |
Sunday |
Pahili Raja |
Odisha |
|
15 June 2026 |
Monday |
Raja Sankranti |
Odisha |
|
15 June 2026 |
Monday |
YMA Day |
Mizoram |
|
17 June 2026 |
Wednesday |
Maharana Pratap Jayanti |
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan |
|
18 June 2026 |
Thursday |
Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji’s Martyrdom Day |
Punjab |
|
26 June 2026 |
Friday |
Muharram |
Several states |
|
29 June 2026 |
Monday |
Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti |
Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab |
|
30 June 2026 |
Tuesday |
Remna Ni |
Mizoram |
July 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
State |
|
1 July 2026 |
Wednesday |
Guru Hargobind Ji’s Birthday |
Jammu and Srinagar |
|
6 July 2026 |
Monday |
MHIP Day |
Mizoram |
|
11 July |
Saturday |
Second Saturday |
All states |
|
13 July 2026 |
Monday |
Bhanu Jayanti |
Sikkim |
|
13 July 2026 |
Monday |
Martyrs’ Day |
Jammu & Kashmir |
|
21 July 2026 |
Tuesday |
Kharchi Puja |
Tripura |
|
25 July |
Saturday |
Fourth Saturday |
All states |
|
31 July 2026 |
Friday |
Shaheed Udham Singh’s Martyrdom Day |
Punjab and Haryana |
August 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
|
28 August 2026 |
Friday |
Raksha Bandhan (or) Rakhi |
|
15 August 2026 |
Saturday |
Independence Day |
|
16 August 2026 |
Sunday |
Parsi New Year |
September 2026
|
Date |
Holiday/Festival |
Type & Celebrated In |
|
21 September 2026, Monday |
Ramdev Jayanti |
Restricted Holiday, Rajasthan |
|
4 September 2026, Friday |
Janmashtami |
Gazetted Holiday |
|
14 September 2026, Monday |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Restricted Holiday |
|
21 September 2026, Monday |
Teja Dashmi |
Restricted Holiday, Rajasthan |
|
26 September 2026, Saturday |
Indra Jatra |
Restricted Holiday, Sikkim |
|
26 September 2026, Saturday |
Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti |
Restricted Holiday, Kerala |
|
21 September 2026, Monday |
Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi |
Observance, Kerala |
|
23 September 2026, Wednesday |
Heroes’ Martyrdom Day |
Restricted Holiday, Haryana |
October 2026
|
Date |
Holiday |
Region |
|
1 October 2026, Thursday |
Maha Navami |
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal |
|
2 October 2026, Friday |
Vijaya Dashami |
National except Manipur and Pondicherry |
|
2 October 2026, Friday |
Gandhi Jayanti |
National |
|
11 October 2026, Sunday |
First day of Sharad Navaratri |
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, Odisha |
|
17 October 2026, Saturday |
First day of Durga Puja |
West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra |
|
26 October 2026, Monday |
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti |
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab |
|
18 October 2026, Sunday |
Maha Saptami |
Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal |
|
19 October 2026, Monday |
Maha Ashtami |
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, West Bengal |
|
20 October 2026, Tuesday |
Dussehra |
Arunachal Pradesh, assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal |
|
29 October 2026, Thursday |
Karva Chauth |
Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh |
|
31 October 2026, Saturday |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti |
Gujarat |
November 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
State |
|
1 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Puducherry Liberation Day |
Puducherry |
|
1 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Haryana Day |
Haryana |
|
1 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Lhabab Duchen |
Sikkim |
|
1 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Kannada Rajyothsava |
Karnataka |
|
6 November 2026 |
Friday |
Wangala Festival |
Meghalaya |
|
8 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Naraka Chaturdashi |
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa |
|
8 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Diwali |
Gazetted Holiday |
|
9 November 2026 |
Monday |
Govardhan Puja |
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Maharashtra |
|
11 November 2026 |
Wednesday |
Bhai Dooj |
West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar |
|
15 November 2026 |
Sunday |
Chhath Puja |
Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh |
|
23 November 2026 |
Monday |
Seng Kut Snem |
Meghalaya |
|
24 November 2026 |
Tuesday |
Karthika Purnima |
Odisha and Telangana |
|
24 November 2026 |
Tuesday |
Guru Nanak Jayanti |
National except Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura |
|
24 November 2026 |
Tuesday |
Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom Day |
Punjab |
|
27 November 2026 |
Friday |
Kanakadasa Jayanti |
Karnataka |
December 2026
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
States |
|
1 December 2026 |
Tuesday |
Indigenous Faith Day |
Arunachal Pradesh |
|
3 December 2026 |
Thursday |
Feast of St Francis Xavier |
Goa |
|
5 December 2026 |
Saturday |
Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Jayanti |
Jammu and Kashmir |
|
5 December 2026 |
Saturday |
First day of Hanukkah |
By Jewish communities across states |
|
12 December 2026 |
Saturday |
Last day of Hanukkah |
By Jewish communities across states |
|
12 December 2026 |
Saturday |
Pa Togan Nengminza Sangma |
Meghalaya |
|
18 December 2026 |
Friday |
Death Anniversary of U SoSo Tham |
Meghalaya |
|
18 December 2026 |
Friday |
Guru Ghasidas Jayanti |
Chattisgarh |
|
19 December 2026 |
Saturday |
Liberation Day |
Daman & Diu and Goa |
|
23 December 2026 |
Wednesday |
Hazarat Ali’s Birthday |
Uttar Pradesh |
|
24 December 2026 |
Thursday |
Christmas Eve |
Meghalaya and Mizoram |
|
25 December 2025 |
Friday |
Christmas Day |
National except Chattisgarh |
|
26 December 2026 |
Saturday |
Shaheed Udham Singh Jayanti |
Haryana |
|
30 December 2026 |
Wednesday |
Tamu Losar |
Sikkim |
|
31 December 2026 |
Thursday |
New Year’s Eve |
Manipur and Mizoram |
Are Banks Closed on Saturdays in 2026?
Yes, banks in India follow a fixed Saturday closure rule as prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Second & Fourth Saturday Closure Explained
- All scheduled banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturday of every month
- This rule applies uniformly across all states and Union Territories
- Branch banking services like cash deposit, cheque clearing, and passbook updates are unavailable on these days
Working Saturdays in 2026
- First, third, and fifth Saturdays (if any) are working days for banks
- Normal branch banking hours apply on working Saturdays
- Online services such as UPI, internet banking, and mobile banking continue to work even on closed Saturdays
RBI Rules in Simple Terms
- Sundays → Always closed
- Second & fourth Saturdays → Closed
- All other Saturdays → Open
- Online banking → Available 24×7, subject to maintenance windows
Bank Holidays vs Public Holidays
Many people assume bank holidays and public holidays are the same, but they are not. The table below explains the difference clearly.
| Basis | Bank Holidays | Public Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Declared by | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | Central / State Government |
| Applicability | Banks and financial institutions | Government offices, schools, some private offices |
| State-wise variation | Yes | Yes |
| Bank branches closed | Yes | Not always |
| Examples | Diwali (state-wise), regional festivals | State foundation day, local observances |
Why Some Public Holidays Are Not Bank Holidays
- Public holidays may apply only to government offices or educational institutions
- Banks follow the Negotiable Instruments Act, not all government holiday lists
- A public holiday in a state does not automatically mean banks will be closed unless notified by the RBI.
List of Bank Holidays in India 2026
Here is the list of all the major bank holidays in India in 2026. For a more detailed regional-specific bank holiday list, please go to the specific state holiday pages given here.
|
Date |
Holiday |
Day |
|
10 January 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
24 January 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
26 January 2026 |
Republic Day |
Monday |
|
14 February 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
28 February 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
15 February 2026 |
Maha Shivaratri |
Sunday |
|
3 March 2026 |
Holi |
Tuesday |
|
14 March 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
20 March 2026 |
Ugadi |
Friday |
|
28 March 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
3 April 2026 |
Good Friday |
Friday |
|
11 April 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
14 April 2026 |
Vaisakhi |
Tuesday |
|
14 April 2026 |
Ambedkar Jayanti |
Tuesday |
|
25 April 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
1 May 2026 |
May Day |
Friday |
|
9 May 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
23 May 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
27 May 2026 |
Bakrid/Eid al-Adha |
Wednesday |
|
13 June 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
27 June 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
11 July 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
25 July 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
8 August 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
15 August 2026 |
Independence Day |
Saturday |
|
22 August 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
4 September 2026 |
Janmashtami |
Friday |
|
12 September 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
26 September 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
2 October 2026 |
Gandhi Jayanti |
Friday |
|
10 October 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
24 October 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
8 November 2026 |
Diwali |
Sunday |
|
14 November 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
28 November 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
|
12 December 2026 |
2nd Saturday |
Saturday |
|
25 December 2026 |
Christmas Day |
Friday |
|
26 December 2026 |
4th Saturday |
Saturday |
FAQs on Bank Holidays List 2026 in India
1. Are banks open on regional festival days?
Banks remain closed on regional festival days only in the states where the festival is officially notified by the RBI. In other states, banks usually function normally.
2. Do bank holidays affect UPI transactions?
No. UPI services work 24×7, including Sundays and bank holidays. You can continue making payments, transfers, and bill payments without interruption.
3. Is RTGS available on bank holidays in 2026?
Yes. RTGS is available 24×7, even on bank holidays. However, large-value transactions initiated close to maintenance windows may be processed with slight delays.
4. Are cheque deposits cleared on bank holidays?
No. Cheque clearing does not happen on bank holidays. Cheques deposited on holidays are processed on the next working day.
5. Do bank holidays apply to ATMs?
No. ATMs remain operational on bank holidays, subject to cash availability. Services like cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, and mini statements usually work.
6. Are banks closed on election days?
Banks may remain closed on state or local election days if the government declares it a public holiday and the RBI issues a notification for bank closure in that region.
7. Are bank holidays the same for SBI and other banks?
Yes. All scheduled banks, including SBI, PNB, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and other private and public sector banks, follow the same RBI-declared holiday list.
8. Can banks declare additional local holidays?
Yes. Banks may observe additional local holidays based on district-level notifications or regional events, especially in rural or cooperative bank branches.
9. Do bank holidays affect loan EMIs?
No. Loan EMIs are usually auto-debited even on bank holidays. If the holiday causes a delay, the debit is processed on the next working day without penalty in most cases.
10. Where can I check the official bank holidays list for 2026?
You can check the official list on the RBI website, your bank’s official website, or the mobile banking app for the most accurate and updated information.
Conclusion
Knowing the Bank Holidays List 2026 in India in advance helps you avoid unnecessary branch visits, delays in cheque clearing, and last-minute financial hassles. Since bank holidays differ by state and depend on regional festivals, checking the correct holiday list is essential for smooth planning.
The Central Government of India’s official holiday list for 2026 is a must-have for all employees and departments under the national government. It spreads out gazetted and optional holidays throughout the year, making it easier to plan time off and work schedules.
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