Bank customers in specific regions of India need to plan their financial visits, as branches will remain shut for two consecutive days this week. According to the official Reserve Bank of India (RBI) 2025 holiday calendar, banking operations will be suspended in certain cities on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20.
Reason for the Two-Day Bank Closure
The closures are due to the observance of two significant regional festivals. On Friday, December 19, banks in Panaji, Goa, will be closed to mark Goa Liberation Day. This day commemorates the state's liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961.
Following this, on Saturday, December 20, banks in the state of Sikkim will remain shut for the Losoong or Namsoong festival. Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year, a major celebration for the Bhutia and Lepcha communities, marking the end of the harvest season.
Complete City-Wise Operational Status
The RBI's directive under the Negotiable Instruments Act means the holidays are specific to these regions. For clarity, here is the operational status for major Indian cities:
Friday, December 19, 2025: Banks will function normally across the country except in Panaji, where all branches will be closed.
Saturday, December 20, 2025: Banking services will be unavailable in Gangtok, Sikkim, while branches in the rest of India, including Panaji, will be open as usual.
It is crucial to note that this is part of a larger schedule of 18 official bank holidays in December 2025, which also includes the mandatory weekly offs on the second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays.
Essential Banking Services That Remain Available
Even with physical branches closed, customers can access a wide range of financial services digitally. The RBI ensures that core banking channels remain operational to minimize inconvenience.
Key services that will continue uninterrupted include:
- Online and mobile banking platforms for funds transfer, balance checks, and bill payments.
- NEFT and RTGS services, subject to their respective operational time windows.
- ATM withdrawals, cash deposits, and card transactions at any ATM.
- Online requests for cheque books, demand drafts, and other account services.
Customers are advised to utilize these digital and self-service options for urgent banking needs during the holiday period. Planning in-branch visits for non-urgent matters around these dates is recommended to avoid any disruption.
This holiday schedule is fixed and widely published by the RBI at the start of the year, allowing account holders and businesses ample time to manage their cash flow and banking activities accordingly.
