Banks across India will remain closed for 16 days in October 2026, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) holiday calendar. These closures include Sundays, the second and fourth Saturdays, and various state-specific holidays. Despite these holidays, customers can continue to use digital banking services such as internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and UPI.
- Banks will be closed on all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays in October.
- October 2 is a nationwide bank holiday for Gandhi Jayanti.
- State-specific holidays include Maha Saptami in Tripura on October 17 and Dusshera/Ayudhapooja on October 20 in most states.
- Vijaya Dasami/Durga Puja holidays vary by state, with closures on October 21 in several states and October 22-23 in Sikkim.
- Other holidays include Laxmi Puja, Accession Day, Maharishi Valmiki's Birthday, Karva Chauth, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday on specific dates.
- Digital banking services will remain operational during all bank holidays.
Which days will banks be closed in October 2026?
Banks will be closed on all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of October 2026. Additionally, October 2 is a nationwide holiday for Gandhi Jayanti. Several state-specific holidays also result in bank closures on different dates throughout the month.
What are the state-specific bank holidays in October 2026?
State-specific holidays vary across India. For example, Tripura observes Maha Saptami on October 17, leading to bank closures. On October 20, most states and Union territories close banks for Dusshera and Ayudhapooja, except Sikkim and Manipur. Vijaya Dasami and Durga Puja holidays cause closures on October 21 in Tripura, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Kerala, and West Bengal. Sikkim also has bank holidays on October 22 and 23 for Durga Puja. On October 26, banks in Tripura, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir close for Laxmi Puja, Accession Day, and Maharishi Valmiki's Birthday. Himachal Pradesh observes Karva Chauth on October 29, and Gujarat closes banks on October 31 for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday.
Will digital banking services be affected during bank holidays?
No, digital banking services such as internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and UPI will continue to operate normally during all bank holidays. Customers can use these services to carry out transactions even when bank branches are closed.
Are there any ongoing discussions about bank working days?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is campaigning for a five-day banking week, performance-linked incentives (PLI), and other pending issues. Although a proposed strike was deferred, the UFBU plans to continue negotiations. A high-level committee on five-day banking held its first meeting on September 30, 2026. C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), stated that the committee is expected to finalize its report soon. Following this, the Reserve Bank of India and the finance ministry will decide on necessary legislative changes.
