March 27, 2026

RBI Bank Holidays 2026 – Nationwide & State-wise List and Impact on Transactions

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India, responsible for managing and supervising the country’s banking system. Each year, the RBI releases a list of bank holidays for scheduled commercial banks across the country, including national holidays, regional holidays and festival-based holidays as per traditional calenders, that can vary by state or union territory.
Knowing the RBI bank holidays 2026 is more than just information. It helps you plan your upcoming financial transactions, from scheduling bank visits and making cheque payments to planning NEFT, RTGS, UPI or ATM transactions. By knowing about holidays, you can become proactive for transactions, avoid delays and ensure timely payments.

What Are RBI Holidays?

RBI holidays are the days when banks in India remain closed as per the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India. These holidays apply to scheduled commercial banks and may vary by state depending on regional festivals and local observances.
Understanding RBI holidays helps you plan payments, cheque deposits and branch visits appropriately.

Types of RBI Bank Holidays in India

RBI classifies bank holidays into specific categories. Knowing how each type affects banking services helps you plan transactions without confusion.

1. Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act

These are official bank holidays declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. On these days, banks remain closed for public dealings and cheque clearing does not take place. Branch-level services are largely unavailable.
However, not all financial activities stop. Digital services usually continue, including UPI transactions, ATM withdrawals, and online NEFT/RTGS transfers. Online trading platforms remain accessible (if markets are open), and digital IPO applications can typically be submitted.
That said, services requiring branch intervention, such as cheque clearing, over-the-counter transactions, branch-assisted RTGS/NEFT transfers, physical mutual fund submissions or in-person banking,will not be available.

2. Account Closing Days (March 31 and April 1)

March 31 marks the end of the financial year, and April 1 begins the new accounting cycle. On these days, banks focus on internal accounting, book balancing and regulatory reporting.
Customer services at branches may be limited or slower, especially for large or manual transactions. Digital services such as UPI, ATM access, online trading accounts, and most electronic fund transfers usually continue, although brief maintenance windows may occur.
Understanding these distinctions ensures you can plan cheque deposits, fund transfers, IPO bids, trading activity, and branch visits more efficientlyespecially around financial year-end or major public holidays.

RBI Bank Holiday List 2026 (Month-Wise)

JANUARY 2026

  1. January 1 - New Year's Day (All States except Rajasthan)
  2. January 14 - Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Magh Bihu (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra)
  3. January 15 - Thiruvalluvar Day/Mattu Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
  4. January 15 - Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day (Arunachal Pradesh)
  5. January 23 - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (West Bengal, Tripura)
  6. January 26 - Republic Day (All States - National Holiday)

FEBRUARY 2026

  1. February 19 - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (Maharashtra)
  2. February 26 - Losar (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh)

MARCH 2026

  1. March 1 - Yearly Closing of Bank Accounts (All States)
  2. March 14 - Holi (All States except Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland)
  3. March 19 - Ugadi/Gudi Padwa/Cheti Chand (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra)
  4. March 21 - Eid-ul-Fitr/Ramzan (All States - Date subject to moon sighting)
  5. March 30 - Ram Navami (All States except Kerala, Tamil Nadu)
  6. March 31 - Financial Year Closing (All states) -March 31 marks the end of the financial year in India. Banks focus on closing accounts, balancing books and completing year-end reporting.
    Branch-level services may be limited or slower, especially for large or manual transactions. However, digital services like UPI, ATMs and online banking usually continue as normal. It’s best to complete important transactions in advance to avoid delays.

APRIL 2026

  1. April 1 - Annual Closing/Odisha Foundation Day (All states / Odisha respectively)
  2. April 2 - Good Friday (All States)
  3. April 6 - Mahavir Jayanti (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka)
  4. April 10 - Jumat-ul-Vida (Jammu and Kashmir)
  5. April 13 - Vaisakhi/Baisakhi/Bohag Bihu (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam)
  6. April 14 - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti (All states - national holiday)
  7. April 14 - Tamil New Year/Vishu/Maha Vishuba Sankranti (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha)
  8. April 15 - Bengali New Year/ Pôhela Boishakh (West Bengal, Tripura)
  9. April 21 - Bohag Bihu (Assam)

MAY 2026

  1. May 1 - May Day/Maharashtra Day/Gujarat Day/Labour Day (All States)
  2. May 7 - Buddha Purnima/Vesak (All States except Tamil Nadu, Kerala)
  3. May 26 - Buddha Purnima (Sikkim)

JUNE 2026

  1. June 15 - Rath Yatra (Odisha, Gujarat)
  2. June 27 - Eid-ul-Adha/Bakrid (All states - Date subject to moon sighting)

JULY 2026

  1. July 16 - Muharram (All States except Manipur, Mizoram)
  2. July 28 - Muharram (observed in some states)

AUGUST 2026

  1. August 3 - Raksha Bandhan (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh)
  2. August 12 - Janmashtami (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi)
  3. August 15 - Independence Day (All States - National Holiday)
  4. August 16 - Patriot's Day (Manipur)

SEPTEMBER 2026

  1. September 2 - Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa)
  2. September 6 - Onam (Kerala)
  3. September 7 - Onam/Thiruvonam (Kerala)
  4. September 11 - Milad-un-Nabi/Eid-e-Milad (All states except Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland)

OCTOBER 2026

  1. October 2 - Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (All states - National Holiday)
  2. October 8 - Maha Saptami/Durga Puja (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha)
  3. October 9 - Maha Ashtami/Durga Puja (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha)
  4. October 10 - Maha Navami/Ayudha Pooja (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka)
  5. October 11 - Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha)
  6. October 22 - Dussehra (All states except West Bengal, Kerala)
  7. October 24 - Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)

NOVEMBER 2026

  1. November 1 - Kannada Rajyotsava/Haryana Day (Karnataka, Haryana)
  2. November 1 - Deepavali/Diwali/Kali Puja (All states)
  3. November 2 - Diwali (celebrated day) (Most states)
  4. November 3 - Govardhan Puja/Bhai Dooj (North Indian States)
  5. November 8 - Guru Nanak Jayanti/Guru Purab (All states)
  6. November 19 - Chhath Puja (Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh)

DECEMBER 2026

  1. December 19 - Goa Liberation Day (Goa)
  2. December 24 - Christmas Eve (Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland)
  3. December 25 - Christmas (All states - National Holiday)
  4. December 31 - New Year's Eve/Imoinu Iratpa (Manipur)

How to Plan Your Transactions Around Bank Holidays

Bank holidays are predictable, but poor planning can still cause delays. Here’s how you can stay prepared:
  • Remember regular closures - All Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays are bank holidays. Plan branch visits accordingly.
  • Schedule large transfers in advance - If you need to make high-value NEFT, RTGS, or cheque payments, complete them at least one working day earlier to avoid settlement delays.
  • Avoid last-day EMI or payment risk - Do not wait until the due date if it falls near a holiday. Ensure sufficient balance and schedule payments in advance to prevent penalties.
  • Do not delay cheque deposits - Cheques are not cleared on holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Deposit them a few days earlier to avoid cash flow issues.
  • Track state-specific holidays - If you run a business across states, remember that some holidays apply only in certain regions. A working day in one state may be a holiday in another.
  • Use digital banking wisely - When branches are closed, rely on UPI, ATMs, online banking, and digital fund transfers, which usually continue even on holidays.
Planning ahead ensures smooth transactions, avoids penalties, and helps you manage both personal and business finances efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UPI working on RBI holidays?
Yes. UPI transactions usually continue to work 24*7, even on RBI-declared bank holidays, as it is a digital payment system.
Do stock markets remain closed on RBI holidays?
Not always. Stock market holidays are declared separately by the exchanges. If the holiday is a nationwide public holiday like Republic Day or Independence Day, markets are usually closed. However, on some state-specific bank holidays, stock markets may remain open.
Are banks closed on all Saturdays?
No. Banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. They remain open on the first, third and (if applicable) fifth Saturdays.
Does NEFT work on Republic Day?
Yes. NEFT operates 24*7 throughout the year, including Republic Day. However, branch-assisted transactions will not be available as banks remain closed.
Will my salary be credited on a bank holiday?
In most cases, yes. Since electronic payment systems operate round the clock, salary credits processed digitally are usually not affected. However, internal bank processing timelines may vary.
Do payment systems like RTGS, NEFT and IMPS operate during RBI holidays in 2026?
Yes. RTGS, NEFT, and IMPS function 24*7. While digital transfers usually continue without interruption, services requiring branch assistance may not be available.
How many total RBI holidays are there in 2026?
The total number of holidays varies by state, as some are region-specific. Nationwide holidays are common across India, while additional festival holidays differ from state to state.
How can I find out in advance if there is a bank holiday?
You can check the official RBI website, your bank’s website or mobile app, or refer to the state-wise holiday list published at the beginning of the year.
Why do bank holidays change from state to state?
India has diverse regional festivals and local observances. RBI declares certain holidays based on state-specific festivals and government notifications, which is why the list differs across states.

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