As the new year approaches, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its official schedule for bank closures in January 2026. Customers across the country need to mark their calendars, as a total of 16 bank holidays are slated for the month. These include national festivals, regional observances, and the mandatory weekly closures on the second and fourth Saturdays, along with all Sundays.
Complete State-Wise and City-Wise Holiday List
The holiday calendar, formulated under the Negotiable Instruments Act and considering RTGS holidays, ensures a mix of national and regional celebrations. The list provides a clear picture of which cities will observe closures on specific dates, helping customers plan their branch visits effectively.
The month kicks off with New Year's Day on January 1, observed as a bank holiday in cities including Aizawl, Chennai, Gangtok, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Kolkata, and Shillong. This day also coincides with Gaan-Ngai in some regions. Following this, January 2 sees New Year Celebration or Mannam Jayanthi closures in Aizawl, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Key national and cultural observances dot the month. The Birth Day of Swami Vivekananda on January 12 will lead to bank closures in Kanpur and Lucknow. The harvest festival period brings a series of holidays: Makar Sankranti or Magh Bihu on January 14 (Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Itanagar), followed by Uttarayana Punyakala, Pongal, and Makara Sankranti on January 15 affecting banks in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gangtok, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada. Chennai specifically observes Thiruvalluvar Day on January 16 and Uzhavar Thirunal on January 17.
January 23 is marked for the Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, also observed as Saraswati Puja or Basanta Panchami in Agartala, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata. The month culminates with the Republic Day national holiday on Monday, January 26, when all banks across India will remain closed.
Weekly Closures and Digital Banking Remains Active
In addition to festival holidays, banks will be shut on all Sundays: January 4, 11, 18, and 25. The mandatory second and fourth Saturdays for the 'Closing of Accounts' will see nationwide closures on January 10 and January 24.
It is crucial for customers to note that while physical bank branches will be closed on these days, essential digital banking services will remain fully operational. This ensures minimal disruption to financial management.
Customers can continue to use online and mobile banking platforms for a range of services, including fund transfers via NEFT/RTGS (subject to operational windows), checking account balances, paying bills, and requesting cheque books or demand drafts. ATM services for cash withdrawals and card transactions will also function as usual.
Planning Ahead for Uninterrupted Banking
The release of this calendar has sparked significant public interest, with online search trends showing a noticeable increase in queries related to 'January 2026 calendar' as people seek to plan their month. The RBI advises all customers to check the city-specific holiday list carefully and schedule any in-branch transactions, such as cash deposits, withdrawals requiring manager approval, or document submissions, accordingly.
By leveraging internet banking, mobile apps, and ATMs, customers can ensure their financial tasks are completed smoothly throughout the holiday season. Proactive planning using this official holiday list will help avoid last-minute inconveniences and ensure seamless banking in the first month of 2026.
