Bank Holidays in India 2026: Full List of National, State & Weekend Holidays

Having prior knowledge of the bank holiday calendar makes it easier to arrange financial transactions. The following is an elaborate enumeration of the major bank holidays in India during the year 2026, which includes holidays that are observed nationwide, holidays that are specific to certain states, and the obligatory second and fourth Saturdays.

Complete List of Bank Holidays in 2026

January 2026

• 10 January – Second Saturday

• 24 January – Fourth Saturday

• 26 January – Republic Day (Monday)

February 2026

• 14 February – Second Saturday

• 15 February – Maha Shivaratri (Sunday)

• 28 February – Fourth Saturday

March 2026

• 3 March – Holi (Tuesday)

• 14 March – Second Saturday

• 20 March – Ugadi (Friday)

• 28 March – Fourth Saturday

April 2026

• 3 April – Good Friday

• 11 April – Second Saturday

• 14 April – Vaisakhi (Tuesday)

• 14 April – Ambedkar Jayanti (Tuesday)

• 25 April – Fourth Saturday

May 2026

• 1 May – May Day

• 9 May – Second Saturday

• 23 May – Fourth Saturday

• 27 May – Bakrid/Eid al-Adha (Wednesday)

June 2026

• 13 June – Second Saturday

• 27 June – Fourth Saturday

July 2026

• 11 July – Second Saturday

• 25 July – Fourth Saturday

August 2026

• 8 August – Second Saturday

• 15 August – Independence Day (Saturday)

• 22 August – Fourth Saturday

September 2026

• 4 September – Janmashtami (Friday)

• 12 September – Second Saturday

• 26 September – Fourth Saturday

October 2026

• 2 October – Gandhi Jayanti (Friday)

• 10 October – Second Saturday

• 24 October – Fourth Saturday

November 2026

• 8 November – Diwali (Sunday)

• 14 November – Second Saturday

• 28 November – Fourth Saturday

December 2026

• 12 December – Second Saturday

• 25 December – Christmas Day (Friday)

• 26 December – Fourth Saturday

Why Bank Holidays Vary Across India

The banking system of India consists of the central bank, commercial banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks, small finance banks, and local area banks. All the major holidays are the same all over India, but the regional differences may be seen in the holidays of the states. Moreover, every bank is closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month as well.

Types of Bank Holidays

National (Gazetted) Holidays

Observed across India:

• Republic Day

• Independence Day

• Gandhi Jayanti

Central Government Holidays

Examples include:

Makar Sankranti, Good Friday, Holi, Eid al-Fitr, Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas.

State Government Holidays

Vary by region:

• Maharashtra Day, Guru Nanak Jayanti

• Goa Liberation Day, Shigmo

• Haryana Day, Teej

• Pongal, Tamil New Year

• Karnataka Rajyotsava, Ugadi

RTGS & NEFT Availability in 2026

The RBI has mandated that RTGS and NEFT services should be available all through the week and even on holidays since December 2020. But, there might still be some delays of processing on public holidays for the scheduled settlements.

Second & Fourth Saturday Bank Holidays in 2026

Banks remain shut on these fixed weekends:

• 10 & 24 January

• 14 & 28 February

• 14 & 28 March

• 11 & 25 April

• 9 & 23 May

• 13 & 27 June

• 11 & 25 July

• 8 & 22 August

• 12 & 26 September

• 10 & 24 October

• 14 & 28 November

• 12 & 26 December

Overview of Major Festivals & Observances

• Ambedkar Jayanti: Honours Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, with events and discussions nationwide.

• Bakrid/Eid al-Adha: A festival of faith, sacrifice, and charity celebrated globally.

• Diwali: The festival of lights symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

• Christmas: Marks the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated with joy, gifts, and prayers.

• Gandhi Jayanti: A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s values of peace and non-violence.

• Good Friday: A solemn Christian observance marked with prayer and reflection.

• Holi: Festival of colours, celebrating spring and new beginnings.

• Janmashtami: Celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth with fasting and devotional events.

• Maha Shivaratri: A night dedicated to Lord Shiva with prayers and vigils.

• May Day: Recognises workers’ rights and labour achievements.

• Republic Day: Celebrates the adoption of India’s Constitution.

• Ugadi: New Year festival for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.

• Vaisakhi: A major Sikh and Hindu festival marking harvest and the Sikh New Year.

• Independence Day: Celebrates India’s freedom and honours national sacrifice.

• Mahaveer Jayanti: Marks the birth of Jain Tirthankara Mahaveer.

FAQs

• Banks are closed on national holidays, state holidays, and second/fourth Saturdays.

• New Year’s Day is not a universal bank holiday.

• Holidays falling on weekends do not shift to weekdays.

• Online banking and ATMs remain available 24/7.

• International transactions may experience delays on bank holidays.

• RBI publishes the annual holiday list on its official website.