Republic Day 2026: Nationwide Bank Holiday Declared Across India
Public and private sector banks in all states and Union Territories across India are closed today, Monday, 26 January 2026, in observance of Republic Day. This national holiday commemorates the 77th anniversary of India's Constitution coming into effect, with grand celebrations including the traditional parade in New Delhi.
Extended Long Weekend for Many States
Notably, this closure forms part of an extended long weekend spanning from Friday to Monday in numerous states. The sequence began with regional holidays on 23 January in Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal, followed by the fourth Saturday bank holiday on 24 January, the regular Sunday closure on 25 January, culminating in today's Republic Day holiday.
Upcoming Bank Holidays This Week
Tuesday, 27 January 2026: Public sector bank operations may face significant disruptions across India as bank employee unions have called for a nationwide strike. Their primary demand is the implementation of a five-day work week, which could affect transaction processing and branch services.
Sunday, 1 February 2026: Regular weekly bank holiday due to Sunday closure, as per standard banking schedules.
Banking Services Availability During Holidays
Customers can continue utilizing digital banking services during national holidays unless specific technical maintenance notifications are issued. Online banking platforms, mobile applications, and UPI payment systems generally function normally throughout holiday periods.
For immediate cash requirements, ATMs remain operational for withdrawals and balance inquiries. However, transactions involving negotiable instruments like cheques and promissory notes cannot be processed during bank holidays, as mandated by the Negotiable Instruments Act under which the Reserve Bank of India declares the annual holiday calendar.
Complete January 2026 RBI Holiday Calendar
The Reserve Bank of India has announced a total of 16 bank holidays for January 2026, including weekly closures on second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays. This applies uniformly to public sector banks, private banks, and the State Bank of India network.
- Thursday, 1 January: New Year's Day / Gaan-Ngai holiday in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland
- Friday, 2 January: New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi in Mizoram and Kerala
- Saturday, 3 January: Birthday of Hazrat Ali in Uttar Pradesh
- Sunday, 4 January: Regular weekly closure
- Saturday, 10 January: Second Saturday bank holiday
- Sunday, 11 January: Regular weekly closure
- Monday, 12 January: Birthday of Swami Vivekananda in West Bengal
- Wednesday, 14 January: Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu in Gujarat, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam
- Thursday, 15 January: Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti / Makara Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Sikkim
- Friday, 16 January: Thiruvalluvar Day in Tamil Nadu
- Saturday, 17 January: Uzhavar Thirunal in Tamil Nadu
- Sunday, 18 January: Regular weekly closure
- Friday, 23 January: Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose / Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami) / Vir Surendrasai Jayanti / Basanta Panchami in West Bengal, Odisha, and Tripura
- Saturday, 24 January: Fourth Saturday bank holiday
- Sunday, 25 January: Regular weekly closure
- Monday, 26 January: Republic Day nationwide closure
Regional Variations and Customer Advisory
Bank holidays frequently vary across different states due to regional festivals, cultural observances, and local requirements. Customers are strongly advised to verify specific holiday schedules with their local bank branches to avoid inconvenience. Being informed about upcoming closures helps in planning financial transactions, especially during extended holiday periods or potential emergency situations.
The Reserve Bank of India's comprehensive holiday calendar ensures standardized banking operations while accommodating India's diverse cultural and regional celebrations throughout the year.
