Bank Holidays- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) annually issues a statutory bank holiday calendar that governs when banks across India will remain closed in each month of the year. These holidays include national events, regional festivals, and negotiable instrument act closures, and they vary from state to state depending on local observances.
In January 2026, banks in India are scheduled to remain closed on multiple occasions, affecting banking operations nationwide. This comprehensive guide will detail:
- Official RBI bank holiday dates in January 2026
- State-wise/City-wise closures
- Occasions associated with each holiday
- Banking services and customer planning tips
- How holidays affect digital and branch-level banking
- Weekly/regular closures like Sundays and Saturdays
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Note: While this article focuses on the RBI holiday calendar, some holidays are observed region-wise. Not every bank branch in India will be closed on all dates, but branch closures follow the RBI and respective state/UT notifications.
1. Understanding RBI Bank Holidays — Why They Exist
Bank holidays in India are regulated under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and RBI’s annual holiday calendar. These holidays are mandated to:
- Observe national festivals and historic events
- Respect regional cultural and religious celebrations
- Maintain uniform banking operations across states and union territories
- Enable operational planning for banks, customers, and businesses
While online transactions, ATMs, and mobile banking continue functioning even on holiday dates, physical branch operations remain closed. Cheque clearances, branch-level services, and document processing are typically unavailable on these days. .
2. Bank Holiday Dates in January 2026 — The RBI Calendar
Here’s the official list of Bank Holidays in January 2026 per the RBI calendar and confirmed by multiple news reports:
| Date | Occasion / Holiday | Where Observed (State/City/UT) |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day / Gaan-Ngai | Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal |
| January 2 | New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi | Kerala, Mizoram |
| January 3 | Birthday of Hazrat Ali | Uttar Pradesh |
| January 12 | Birthday of Swami Vivekananda | West Bengal |
| January 14 | Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu | Assam, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh |
| January 15 | Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| January 16 | Thiruvalluvar Day | Tamil Nadu |
| January 17 | Uzhavar Thirunal | Tamil Nadu |
| January 23 | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti / Basanta Panchami / Others | Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura |
| January 26 | Republic Day (National Holiday) | All States & UTs |
This list highlights that banks will be observing at least 10 holiday closures in January 2026. These closures include specific regional festivities and one all-India holiday (Republic Day).
3. Weekly and Regular Bank Closures
In addition to RBI-mandated holidays, banks in India are also closed every:
- Sunday
- Second Saturday of the month
- Fourth Saturday of the month
These weekly closures occur because the RBI calendar designates Saturdays and Sundays as regular holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
So, in January 2026:
| Day | Closure Type |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Regular weekly off |
| Saturday (10 Jan) | Second Saturday |
| Saturday (24 Jan) | Fourth Saturday |
These day-to-day closures do not count as official RBI holidays but they impact banking branch operations just the same.
4. Detailed Breakdown of Each January Bank Holiday
Below is a detailed explanation of the significance and impact of each RBI holiday date in January 2026.
January 1 — New Year’s Day / Gaan-Ngai
Why it matters:
January 1 marks the beginning of the Gregorian New Year. Apart from being widely celebrated across India and the world, some states like Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and West Bengal also combine this with local festivals such as Gaan-Ngai, making it an official bank holiday.
Bank impact:
Branches in the listed states remain closed. All Sunday and Saturday rules still apply. Online services function normally.
January 2 — New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi
Significance:
January 2 is observed in Kerala as Mannam Jayanthi — the birth anniversary of Mannathu Padmanabhan, a prominent reformist. Mizoram also extends New Year celebrations.
Bank impact:
Branches in Kerala and Mizoram remain closed for the day.
January 3 — Birthday of Hazrat Ali
Background:
Hazrat Ali’s birthday is an important religious day for Muslim communities. In Uttar Pradesh, banks remain closed to observe this.
January 12 — Swami Vivekananda’s Birth Anniversary
Significance:
Swami Vivekananda (national youth icon) is commemorated widely. In West Bengal specifically, it is a bank holiday.
January 14 — Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu
Cultural importance:
- Makar Sankranti: Celebrated across India as a harvest festival marking the sun’s northward shift.
- Magh Bihu: Celebrated in Assam as a harvest festival.
Banks in Assam, Odisha, and Arunachal Pradesh are closed on this day.
January 15 — Pongal / Uttarayana Punyakala / Maghe Sankranti
Why it’s special:
This day is widely celebrated in South India:
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu
- Uttarayana Punyakala and Maghe Sankranti in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
Banks in these states will be closed.
January 16 and 17 — Thiruvalluvar Day & Uzhavar Thirunal
Cultural context:
These two days are significant holidays in Tamil Nadu celebrating:
- Thiruvalluvar Day — birth anniversary of the Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar
- Uzhavar Thirunal — Farmers’ Day, also linked with Pongal festivities
January 23 — Netaji Jayanti/Basanta Panchami/anew Observance
This day features a combination of festivals:
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
- Basanta Panchami / Saraswati Puja
- Other local observances (e.g., Vir Surendrasai Jayanti)
Banks in Odisha, West Bengal, and Tripura remain closed.
January 26 — Republic Day (National Bank Holiday)
Republic Day is celebrated nationwide to honor the date when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. Banks across India will remain closed on this day.
5. City-Wise Closure Details
Since the RBI calendar differs across cities, here’s a snapshot of closures by major RBI offices and cities:
| City / RBI Office | Typical January Closures |
|---|---|
| Aizawl | 1, 2, 26 |
| Ahmedabad | 14, 26 |
| Bengaluru | 15, 26 |
| Chennai | 1, 15, 16, 17, 26 |
| Kolkata | 1, 12, 23, 26 |
| Lucknow | 3, 26 |
| Mumbai | 26 |
| New Delhi | 26 |
These closures also depend on the local festival calendar and additional notifications by the RBI or state governments.
6. What Services Are Affected on Bank Holidays?
Despite branch closures:
Still Available
- Online banking — apps/web
- UPI payments
- NEFT/RTGS/IMPS digital transfers
- ATM cash withdrawals
Unavailable / Delayed
- Cash deposits at teller counters
- Cheque deposits or walk-in services
- Loan/credit document processing
- Passbook updates
Customers must plan ahead, especially for cheque clearances and transactions requiring branch visits.
7. Planning Your Banking Needs in January 2026
To avoid disruptions:
Before the Month Begins
- Confirm bank holiday dates with your local branch or bank website.
- Complete cheque deposits or documents before holiday clusters.
Around Major Closures
- Prioritize essential banking tasks before January 14–17 and January 26.
- Account for weekends (Sundays and Saturdays) in scheduling.
Digital Alternatives
- Use net banking or mobile apps to schedule payments ahead.
- Set up auto payments for recurring bills.
8. National vs. Regional Holidays — Key Differences
| Type | Observed Everywhere | Region-Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | ✔ Yes | N/A |
| New Year’s Day | ✘ Only certain states | In specific NE / West Bengal |
| Makar Sankranti / Pongal | ✘ Regional | South / East / Northeast |
| Birthday festivals | ✘ Regional | UP / WB / TN |
Bank Holidays- This means not all banks nationwide will be closed on every holiday — only those in states observing that festival/occasion.
9. RBI Rules on Holiday Notifications
The RBI releases its holiday calendar at the end of each year to help individuals, businesses, and government entities plan ahead. The calendar includes:
- Statutory holidays
- Negotiable instrument holidays (important for cheque clearances)
- Second/Fourth Saturday closures
- All Sundays
Customers should always refer to the official RBI calendar or their bank’s notice board/website for the most accurate information.
Also Read : Why Swiggy, Zomato and Amazon Delivery Partners Are Striking Before New Year
10. Conclusion
January 2026 will see multiple bank holidays across India due to national holidays, regional festivals, and negotiated statutory closures. The key takeaways:
- Banks will remain closed on at least 10 distinct occasions in January 2026 depending on the state/UT.
- Republic Day (January 26) is the only holiday observed nationwide.
- Weekly Sundays and selected Saturdays also impact banking schedules.
- Digital banking services continue to function even on bank holidays.
Proper planning around these dates can ensure seamless banking and financial operations during the first month of the year.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Will ATM and UPI services work on Bank Holidays?
A: Yes — digital and ATM services operate normally even when branch offices are closed.
Q2: Are all banks across India closed on January 1, 2026?
A: No — only specific states observe New Year’s Day/Gaan-Ngai as a bank holiday.
Q3: Why do different states have different bank holidays?
A: Because regional festivals and historic days are observed locally and the RBI calendar accounts for these region-wise.
Q4: Do Bank Holidays affect cheque clearance?
A: Yes — cheques deposited on holidays may only be processed on the next working day.
Q5: Is January 26, 2026 a banking holiday?
A: Yes — January 26 (Republic Day) is a national bank holiday across India.
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