India Banking Holidays January 2026

January 2026 marks a mix of national and regional holidays across India, with several statutory bank closures. Customers should be aware of these dates to avoid any disruptions in banking activities.

Understanding Bank Holidays in India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases an annual holiday calendar that varies by state. Bank holidays are determined by local festivals, notifications under the Negotiable Instruments Act, and account-closing requirements. As a result, not all banks in India are closed on the same day.

New Year’s Day Closures

New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, falls on a Thursday. Although it is not a nationwide bank holiday, certain states will observe closures. Banks in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland will remain closed according to RBI guidelines.

City-wise Observances

Here’s a quick overview of select cities observing bank holidays in January 2026:

• Agartala: 1, 2, 3, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 26
• Ahmedabad: 3, 12, 26
• Aizawl: 1, 2, 17
• Chennai: 1, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17
• Gangtok: 1, 2, 14
• Kolkata: 1, 2, 15, 26

(The above list provides a glimpse; customers should refer to full state-wise schedules for precise dates.)

Regional Festival Holidays

Banks may also close for local festivals or observances, which are specific to certain states. For example, Thiruvalluvar Day is observed in Tamil Nadu, while branches in other states continue regular operations.

Total Number of Holidays

According to the RBI calendar, bank branches may close for up to 15 days in January 2026, including Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays. The exact number of holidays varies by region due to state-level notifications.

Categories of Bank Holidays

The RBI classifies bank holidays into three main categories:

1. Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act
2. Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays
3. Account-closing holidays

Because these holidays are linked to local festivals and state notifications, banks across India do not observe them uniformly.

Tips for Customers

To avoid inconvenience, it is recommended that customers:

• Check their state-specific bank holiday schedule before planning transactions
• Plan critical banking activities around weekends and known holidays
• Be aware of regional variations, as some branches may be open while others are closed

By staying informed, customers can ensure smooth financial operations even during busy holiday periods.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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