The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its official schedule for bank holidays in January 2026, outlining a series of closures for the upcoming week from January 12 to 18. The holidays are tied to major festivals and commemorative days, including Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
It is crucial for customers to note that these holidays are not uniform across the country. Bank closures are specific to certain states based on local festivals and government notifications. The central bank's list, formulated under the Negotiable Instruments Act, ensures that all public and private sector banks adhere to these designated non-working days.
State-Wise Bank Holiday Schedule for January 12-18
The week begins with a holiday in West Bengal on January 12, marking the Birth Day of Swami Vivekananda. This will be followed by a series of festive closures.
On January 14, banks will remain shut in Gujarat, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam for Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated as Magh Bihu in Assam.
The following day, January 15, sees widespread closures in southern and eastern states. Banks will be closed in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Sikkim for festivities known as Uttarayana Punyakala, Pongal, Maghe Sankranti, and Makara Sankranti.
Tamil Nadu has two consecutive holidays thereafter: January 16 for Thiruvalluvar Day and January 17 for Uzhavar Thirunal. The week concludes with the regular weekly off on Sunday, January 18.
What Banking Services Remain Available?
While physical bank branches will be closed on these state-specific holidays, several essential banking services will continue to operate without interruption. Customers can rely on digital channels for most of their financial needs.
You can continue to use online banking and mobile banking apps for fund transfers, bill payments, and checking account balances. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions through apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and BHIM will function normally.
For cash requirements, ATMs across the country will be operational for withdrawals. However, services that depend on physical branch processing, such as the clearance of cheques or demand drafts, will be halted for the day as per the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Full January 2026 Bank Holiday Calendar
Beyond next week, January 2026 has a total of 16 bank holidays, including all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays. Other notable holidays this month include Republic Day on January 26, which is a nationwide closure, and regional holidays like Gaan-Ngai, Mannam Jayanthi, and the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Given the regional variations, the RBI advises account holders to confirm the holiday schedule with their local bank branch to avoid any inconvenience, especially for time-sensitive branch-dependent transactions. Planning ahead is recommended for managing finances during these festive periods and long weekends.
