Department of Banking Regulation
Bank Holiday Calendar 2026
State-wise NI Act Holidays & Saturdays
Bank Holiday Calendar 2026: Complete List (State-wise) & 2nd/4th Saturday Rules
- Authority: RBI / IBA (NI Act, 1881)
- Key Rule: 2nd & 4th Saturdays are Holidays
- Coverage: PSU Banks, Private Banks, Co-operative Banks
- Note: Differs from Central Govt (DoPT) List
What Changed: The 2026 Banking Schedule
While Central Government employees follow the DoPT Holiday List, the banking sector operates under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified the holiday matrix for 2026. A crucial distinction is that banks observe specific state-level holidays (like Pongal in Tamil Nadu or Bihu in Assam) which may not be closed holidays for Central Govt offices.
✅ The Saturday Rule (2026)
Working Saturdays: 1st, 3rd, and 5th (if any) Saturday of the month.
Bank Holidays: 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month.
Sunday: Weekly Off.
Month-wise Bank Holiday List 2026 (National)
Note: Dates marked with (*) are state-specific and may vary.
| Date | Day | Occasion | Applicability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jan | Monday | Republic Day | All India |
| 17 Feb* | Tuesday | Mahashivratri | Most States |
| 04 Mar* | Wednesday | Holi | North/West India |
| 01 Apr | Wednesday | Annual Closing of Accounts | Banks Only (Customer Holiday) |
| 14 Apr | Tuesday | Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti / Baisakhi | All India |
| 15 Aug | Saturday | Independence Day | All India |
| 02 Oct | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | All India |
| 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas | All India |
State-Specific Variations
Unlike Central Govt offices, Banks close for regional festivals. Check your specific state list for:
✔ Regional Holidays
- Maharashtra: Gudi Padwa, Maharashtra Day (May 1).
- West Bengal: Durga Puja (Multiple days), Netaji Birthday (Jan 23).
- Tamil Nadu: Pongal, Thiruvalluvar Day.
- Kerala: Onam.
✖ Non-Holidays
- Restricted Holidays (RH): Banks do not follow the ‘Restricted Holiday’ concept of DoPT. If it’s not a notified NI Act holiday, the bank is Open.
Digital Banking During Holidays
Even on bank holidays, the following services remain operational 24×7:
- UPI / IMPS: Instant money transfer.
- ATMs / Cash Deposit Machines: Cash withdrawal and deposit.
- Net Banking: NEFT/RTGS (Automated clearing operates 24×7 now).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is April 1st a holiday for customers?
Yes. April 1st is the “Annual Closing of Accounts” for banks. While bank staff attend the office to close yearly books, public dealings (cash/cheque) remain suspended. It is effectively a holiday for customers.
What happens if a 2nd Saturday is also a Festival?
It counts as a single holiday. You do not get an extra day off. For example, if Independence Day (Aug 15) falls on a 2nd Saturday, the bank remains closed, but no compensatory off is given.