Banking services across multiple states in India will see disruptions this week, with bank branches remaining closed for four days between March 26 and March 29, 2026, as per the holiday calendar issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The closures are a mix of festival holidays, regional observances, and routine weekend offs, impacting physical banking operations in several regions. However, customers can continue to access digital banking services without interruption.
March 26 holiday: Ram Navami impact
Banks will remain closed in several states on March 26 on account of Ram Navami, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram and is widely observed across India.
States where banks will be shut include:
Gujarat, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
March 27 to 29: extended closures continue
The holiday stretch continues over the next few days:
- March 27 (Friday): Banks will remain shut in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh due to regional observance of Ram Navami.
- March 28 (Saturday): Banks across India will be closed for the fourth Saturday, a standard monthly holiday.
- March 29 (Sunday): Nationwide closure due to the weekly Sunday holiday.
This effectively creates a long weekend for banking operations in several parts of the country.
Another key holiday on March 31
Apart from this stretch, banks will also remain closed on March 31, 2026, in multiple states on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
States observing this holiday include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
What services will remain available
Despite branch closures, essential banking services will continue to function seamlessly. Customers can rely on:
- Internet banking
- Mobile banking apps
- ATM withdrawals
- UPI, NEFT, and RTGS transfers
- Balance checks and bill payments
These digital channels ensure that routine financial transactions are not affected during the holiday period.
How bank holidays are decided
Bank holidays in India are determined under the Negotiable Instruments Act and are finalised by the RBI. Along with national holidays, banks also observe state-specific holidays based on regional festivals and events.
Additionally, banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, along with all Sundays.
What customers should do
With multiple holidays lined up, customers are advised to plan branch visits in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience. For urgent needs, digital banking platforms offer a reliable alternative.