As the year 2025 draws to a close, banking operations across India will see a mixed schedule on Wednesday, December 31. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared a bank holiday in specific regions, while most of the country will function normally for New Year's Eve transactions.
Why Are Banks Closed in Some Cities Today?
The closure is due to the observance of New Year's Eve coupled with the regional festival of Imoinu Iratpa. According to the RBI's 2025 holiday calendar, framed under the Negotiable Instruments Act, these holidays encompass both RTGS holidays and other regional and national observances.
Imoinu Iratpa is a significant religious event primarily celebrated in Manipur and other parts of Northeast India. The festival honours the goddess Imoinu (or Emoinu), considered the deity of wealth, prosperity, and household well-being by the Meitei community. The confluence of this regional festival with the global celebration of New Year's Eve has led to the bank holiday declaration in certain states.
City-Wise Bank Operational Status for December 31
As per the official RBI holiday list for 2025, here is the operational status for major Indian cities on Wednesday, December 31:
- Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Panaji, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada: Banks will be OPEN.
- Aizawl (Mizoram) and Imphal (Manipur): Banks will be CLOSED.
This pattern highlights that the holiday is specific to the northeastern region observing Imoinu Iratpa. For the rest of India, it is largely a regular banking day, allowing customers to complete their year-end financial tasks.
Essential Banking Services Remain Accessible
It is crucial for customers to note that even where physical branches are shut, core banking services will not be entirely disrupted. The following digital and self-service options will remain operational:
- Online and mobile banking platforms for fund transfers, balance inquiries, and bill payments.
- NEFT and RTGS services, subject to their respective operational time windows.
- ATM withdrawals, cash deposits, and card transactions at all functional machines.
- Online requests for services like cheque book issuance, demand drafts, and account statement generation.
Customers, especially in Imphal and Aizawl, are advised to plan their in-branch visits accordingly and leverage internet banking for uninterrupted service. The month of December 2025 had a total of 18 official bank holidays, including the mandatory second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays.
As we step into 2026, being aware of these holiday schedules helps in managing financial commitments smoothly. Always refer to the official RBI holiday calendar for the most accurate and updated information regarding bank closures in your city.
