The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially announced the schedule of bank holidays for the first month of 2026. This comprehensive list details the days when banking operations will be suspended across various states and union territories in January. The holidays are categorized under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays, and Banks' Closing of Accounts.
Understanding the Three Categories of Bank Holidays
The central bank classifies non-working days for banks into three distinct types. Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act are the most common, affecting cheque clearing and other negotiable instrument-related activities. RTGS holidays impact high-value electronic fund transfers, while Banks' Closing of Accounts is a specific year-end procedure. It is crucial for customers to note that while branches may be closed, digital banking services like net banking and mobile apps typically remain operational on most of these days, except for system maintenance periods.
State-Wise Breakdown of January 2026 Bank Closures
The holiday calendar for January 2026 is packed with a mix of national, regional, and festival-based closures. The month begins with the New Year's Day holiday on Thursday, January 1, 2026, observed in several states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. Other significant holidays include:
Makar Sankranti will lead to bank closures in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. In Tamil Nadu, the festival of Pongal will be celebrated, resulting in a bank holiday on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, followed by Thiruvalluvar Day on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The most prominent national holiday of the month is Republic Day on Monday, January 26, 2026. Banks across India will remain closed on this day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution.
Additional regional holidays include:
- Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in states like Haryana and Punjab.
- Imoinu Iratpa in Manipur on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
- Missionary Day in Mizoram on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
- Losar (Sikkimese New Year) in Sikkim on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Planning Your Financial Transactions
For individuals and businesses, this RBI holiday list is an essential tool for planning financial activities. Customers are advised to complete any urgent banking tasks requiring branch visits, such as cash deposits above a certain limit, demand draft requests, or loan documentation, before these holidays. It is also a good practice to anticipate delays in cheque clearance around long weekends or consecutive holidays. Setting up automatic payments for bills and EMIs can help avoid penalties due to holiday-related processing delays.
With the list now public, account holders across the country can mark their calendars and schedule their important banking work accordingly to avoid any last-minute inconvenience. Always check with your local bank branch for any additional notifications or state-specific gazetted holidays that may apply.
