New Delhi, January 3, 2026 — As the New Year begins, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the official schedule of bank holidays for January 2026. This month, banks across the country will remain closed on a total of ten dates, in addition to the usual second and fourth Saturdays, due to public holidays, regional festivals, and observances.

Bank holidays in India vary from state to state, as they are often aligned with local cultural, religious, or historic events. Customers planning to visit their banks are advised to check the RBI’s official notifications to confirm holiday schedules specific to their region. During bank holidays, in-person services such as cash withdrawals, document verification, cheque clearance, and locker access will not be available. However, online banking, mobile apps, and ATM services will continue to operate.

Bank Holidays in January 2026

• January 1 – New Year’s Day / Gaan-Ngai (observed in Aizawl, Chennai, Gangtok, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Kolkata)
  The month began with celebrations for the New Year. In certain regions, banks observed Gaan-Ngai, a Mizo New Year festival celebrated in Mizoram.
• January 2 – New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi (observed in Aizawl, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram)
  Following the New Year, banks in select states remained closed in observance of Mannam Jayanthi, commemorating the birth anniversary of religious and cultural leaders.
• January 3 – Birthday of Hazrat Ali (observed in Kanpur, Lucknow)
  In Uttar Pradesh, banks were closed to mark the birth anniversary of Hazrat Ali, an important religious observance for the Shia Muslim community.
• January 12 – Birthday of Swami Vivekananda (observed in Kolkata)
  In West Bengal, the birthday of the revered philosopher and spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda is recognized as a bank holiday.
• January 14 – Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu (observed in Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Itanagar)
  Across several states, banks closed in observance of harvest festivals such as Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, which mark the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
• January 15 – Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Makara Sankranti (observed in Bengaluru, Chennai, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Vijayawada)
  South Indian states celebrated Pongal, the harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God, while other regions observed Uttarayana Punyakala or Makara Sankranti.
• January 16 – Thiruvalluvar Day (observed in Chennai)
  In Tamil Nadu, banks were closed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Thiruvalluvar, the celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher.
• January 17 – Uzhavar Thirunal (observed in Chennai)
  Uzhavar Thirunal, or Farmers’ Day, is observed in Tamil Nadu to honor the contributions of the agricultural community.
• January 23 – Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose / Saraswati Puja / Vir Surendrasai Jayanti / Basanta Panchami (observed in Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata)
  Several regional and national observances fall on this date, leading banks in select states to remain closed.
• January 26 – Republic Day (observed nationwide)
  Republic Day is a national public holiday, marking the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950. Banks across the country remain closed on this day.

In addition to the above dates, banks will also remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, which fall on January 10 and January 24.

Key Points for Customers

• Bank holidays vary depending on the state, so customers are advised to consult the official RBI website or their local branch before planning any in-person transactions.
• Services that require physical presence, such as cash handling, cheque deposits, and locker access, will be unavailable on holidays.
• Digital and ATM services, including Netbanking, mobile banking, and cash withdrawals from ATMs, will continue to function uninterrupted.

Conclusion

January 2026 offers a mix of national and regional bank holidays, reflecting India’s cultural and religious diversity. Awareness of these dates can help customers plan financial transactions more efficiently and avoid inconvenience.