Understanding the Types of Holidays
Bank holidays in India, set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), fall into a few categories. First are the National Holidays, when every single bank branch across the country is closed. Second are the regional or state-specific holidays, which apply only
to certain states and are often tied to local festivals. Finally, banks are also closed on all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. For October 2026, it's important to know which holidays affect your specific location, as the schedule varies significantly from one state to another.
The Nationwide Closure: Gandhi Jayanti
There is only one national bank holiday in October 2026. On Friday, October 2, all banks throughout India will be closed in observance of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. This is one of three national holidays, alongside Republic Day and Independence Day, so you can expect all banking services that require a branch visit to be unavailable on this day, regardless of where you live in the country.
Your State-by-State Holiday Calendar for October 2026
October is packed with regional festivals, especially Durga Puja and Dussehra, leading to several state-specific closures. It's essential to check this list for your city or state. Regular weekend closures on Sundays (October 4, 11, 18, 25) and the second and fourth Saturdays (October 10, 24) are in addition to these dates.Here is a detailed breakdown of the regional bank holidays for October 2026:- October 10 (Saturday): Mahalaya Amavasye. Banks will be closed in Bengaluru and Kolkata. Note this is also the second Saturday.- October 17 (Saturday): Maha Saptami. Banks will be closed in Agartala.- October 19 (Monday): Dussehra / Maha Navami / Ayutha Pooja / 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 a major holiday, with banks closed in most states across the country except for 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 will be closed in Gangtok.- 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 will be closed in Shimla.- October 31 (Saturday): Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday. Banks will be closed in Ahmedabad.
What About Digital and Online Banking?
While physical bank branches will be shut on these dates, it's important to remember that your digital banking channels will remain fully operational. Services like UPI, mobile banking apps, internet banking, and ATMs will be available 24/7 for you to carry out transactions. You can still transfer funds, pay bills, and check your account balance without any interruption. However, any service that requires staff assistance, such as cheque clearing, applying for a loan, or updating your passbook, will have to wait until the next working day.
How to Plan Your Banking in October
With a cluster of holidays, especially around the Dussehra festival week, a little planning can go a long way. If you need to withdraw a large amount of cash, deposit a cheque, or complete any other important in-person banking, it is wise to do so well before a series of consecutive holidays. Check the list carefully for your state to see if you will be affected by a long weekend or back-to-back closures. For instance, residents of Gangtok will see banks closed for several days in a row. Keeping track of these dates will help you manage your finances smoothly and avoid any last-minute hassles during the festive season.
