A Month of Festivities and Closed Branches
October is a significant month in the Indian festive calendar, marked by major celebrations like Durga Puja, Dussehra, and Gandhi Jayanti. This translates to numerous bank closures that vary significantly from one state to another. According to the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) holiday schedule, while some holidays are national, many are regional, tied to local festivals. This makes it crucial for customers to be aware of the specific dates their local branches will be closed. In addition to the festival calendar, remember that all banks across the country remain closed on Sundays, as well as the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
October 2026 Bank Holiday Calendar: State-Wise List
To help you plan, here is a detailed list of bank holidays for October 2026. Please note that while digital services remain active, physical bank branches will be non-operational on these dates in the specified regions. October 2 (Friday) - Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti: All banks across India will be closed for this national holiday. October 10 (Saturday) - Mahalaya Amavasye: Banks will be shut in Bengaluru and Kolkata. This day also coincides with the second Saturday, a nationwide bank holiday. October 17 (Saturday) - Maha Saptami: Banks in Agartala will be closed. October 19 (Monday) - Dussehra/Maha Navami/Durga Puja: Banks will be closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, and Shillong. October 20 (Tuesday) - Dussehra/Vijaya Dashmi: This is the most widespread holiday of the month, with banks closed in almost all states except Manipur and Sikkim. October 21 (Wednesday) - Vijaya Dasami/Durga Puja: Banks will be closed in Agartala, Bengaluru, Gangtok, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram. October 22 & 23 (Thursday & Friday) - Durga Puja (Dasain): Banks in Gangtok will observe holidays on these two days. October 26 (Monday) - Laxmi Puja/Accession Day/Maharishi Valmiki's Birthday: Banks will be closed in Agartala, Chandigarh, Jammu, Shimla, and Srinagar. October 29 (Thursday) - Karva Chauth: Banks in Shimla will observe a holiday. October 31 (Saturday) - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday: Banks in Ahmedabad will be closed.
Tip 1: Prioritise Your In-Branch Tasks
Before the holiday season kicks into high gear, review your banking needs for the month. If you need to handle tasks that require a physical visit—such as submitting documents, depositing large sums of cash, or accessing a locker—plan to do so on working days. Check your local branch’s specific holiday schedule, as a bank in one city might be open while another is closed on the same day for a regional holiday. Getting these essential tasks out of the way early ensures you won’t be caught in a long queue or, worse, find the doors shut when you need access most.
Tip 2: Lean on Digital Banking Services
While physical bank branches will be closed, the digital banking infrastructure remains fully operational. Services like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), internet banking, and mobile banking apps are available 24/7 for fund transfers, bill payments, and checking account balances. ATMs will also continue to function for cash withdrawals. Familiarise yourself with your bank's digital offerings. You can schedule future payments for utilities, loan EMIs, and credit card bills to ensure they are not missed, even if the due date falls on a holiday. This is a simple way to automate your finances and avoid late fees.
Tip 3: Plan for Cheque and NEFT/RTGS Delays
It is important to remember that transactions like cheque clearing and high-value transfers via NEFT and RTGS are processed only on banking working days. A series of consecutive holidays, especially when combined with a weekend, can lead to significant delays in processing. If you are expecting an important payment via cheque or need to make a large transfer, initiate it well in advance. For business owners, this is particularly critical for managing cash flow, paying salaries, and settling accounts with vendors. Inform your clients and partners about potential delays in payment processing to maintain transparency and goodwill.
Tip 4: Keep Emergency Cash Handy
While digital payments are widespread, it is always a prudent practice to have a reasonable amount of cash on hand, especially during a festive period with multiple holidays. ATMs can occasionally run out of cash due to high demand, particularly in busy areas or during a long string of closures. Having some cash available for small, everyday expenses or in case of a digital payment failure can provide peace of mind. This doesn't mean withdrawing huge sums, but simply having enough to cover immediate needs without relying solely on digital transactions or finding a functional ATM.
