Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, Saturday, July 18? Check Holiday List For This Month

Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, July 18? If you are planning to visit your bank branch, it is necessary to check the list of RBI-notified holidays. These holidays are not uniform nationwide and vary from state to state. That means on some dates, banks in certain states will remain closed, while in others, they will function normally.

Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, July 18?

As July 18 is the third Saturday of the month, banks will remain open today as usual across the country. Banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, apart from all Sundays and other RBI-notified holidays.

However, banks will remain closed in Sikkim on July 18 on account of ‘Drukpa Tshe-zi’, a sacred Buddhist festival marking the day Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, setting

the ‘Wheel of Dharma’ in motion’

Banks Timings

Most major banks in India, including SBI, Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank, operate between 10 am and 4 pm, while ICICI, HDFC, Axis, Yes Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank usually function from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm or 3:30 pm, depending on the branch. Bank of Baroda has slightly extended hours, operating between 9:45 am and 4:45 pm or 10 am to 5 pm, and Canara Bank typically works from 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Bank Holidays In July 2026

Holiday Description	Date
MHIP Day/Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee	6
Beh Deinkhlam	9
Ratha Yatra/Kang (Rathajatra)/Harela	16
Death Anniversary of U Tirot Singh	17
Drukpa Tshe-zi	18
Kharchi Puja	22

Full state-wise bank holiday list can be check on this RBI’s official link.

Five-Day Workweek Demand

Though banks remain closed on second and fourth Saturdays of the month, bank unions have been demanding five day workweek. If approved, it would mean banks will remain all Saturdays and Sundays.

Earlier this year, bank unions went on strike. They said a five-day work week would reduce work pressure, improve efficiency, and allow employees more time with their families. Most central government offices and financial institutions in India already follow a five-day schedule, bank staff want the same.

To ensure customer services aren’t affected, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has proposed working 40 extra minutes a day from Monday to Friday. The forum points out that RBI, LIC, GIC, stock markets, forex and money markets already remain closed on Saturdays.