Is today a bank holiday in India?

India Bank Holidays, RBI Framework & State Gazette Rules

In India, official bank holidays are notified pursuant to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Under this constitutional framework, public holiday powers are shared between the Central Government and respective State Governments. A gazetted bank holiday declared in Maharashtra or West Bengal does not automatically shut bank branches in Delhi, Karnataka, or Tamil Nadu unless explicitly notified by the local state administration.

The 3 Compulsory National Holidays

While regional holiday lists vary across India's 28 states and 8 union territories, the Central Government recognizes three compulsory national holidays across all public and private institutions:

• Republic Day: 26 January
• Independence Day: 15 August
• Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti: 2 October

On these three national dates, physical bank branches, central clearinghouses, government administrative offices, schools, and capital markets close nationwide. In most states, commercial establishments operating under the Factories Act, 1948 or state Shops and Establishments Acts are legally required to grant paid leave or provide compensatory rest and premium wages if employees work.

The Mandatory Alternate Saturday Rule

Under the formal bipartite agreement between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and bank employee unions, approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2015, all scheduled public sector and private commercial banks adhere to a strict alternate weekend schedule:

• 2nd & 4th Saturdays: Official bank holidays nationwide. Physical branch lobbies and teller counters remain locked.
• 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays: Standard full working days across all branches.
• Sundays: Weekly non-working day across the entire banking system.

Digital Payment Rails: What Stays Live 24/7/365

A physical branch closure under the Negotiable Instruments Act does not halt India's electronic payment backbone. The Reserve Bank of India and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) maintain continuous digital operations:

• NEFT & RTGS: National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) operates 24/7/365 across 48 half-hourly settlement batches. Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) for high-value transfers (minimum ₹2 Lakh) also runs continuously without weekend or holiday pauses.
• UPI & IMPS: Unified Payments Interface (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM) and Immediate Payment Service operate without interruption 24 hours a day, even on national holidays.
• Paper Cheque Clearing (CTS): Physical cheques deposited in branch drop boxes or automated kiosks do not settle during bank holidays. Clearing runs through the Cheque Truncation System (CTS) during designated clearing sessions on official banking business days. Read our complete analysis on NEFT, RTGS, and UPI availability during bank holidays.

State-Specific Gazette Variations

Because cultural festivals differ by region, the RBI classifies holidays into distinct circles. For example, during Chhath Puja, branches close in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh while remaining fully operational in southern and western states. Similarly, Balipratipada (the day after Diwali) is a gazetted bank holiday in Maharashtra and Gujarat, but a regular business day in Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Check regional date breakdowns in our guide to Diwali state-by-state bank schedules.

Financial Markets (BSE & NSE)

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) publish an annual trading calendar aligned with major statutory holidays. Markets close for regular daytime trading on official exchange holidays. The notable annual exception is Muhurat Trading on Diwali—a ceremonial one-hour evening trading session marking the beginning of the new Hindu financial year, Samvat.

India Payment Rails, Exchange Cutoffs & Statutory Pay Matrix (2026–2027)

When a statutory public holiday or in-lieu bank holiday occurs in India, commercial banking counters, central bank real-time gross settlement (RTGS) rails, and retail instant payment systems follow distinct operational rules:

Key 2026 vs. 2027 Holiday Date Shifts & Bridge-Day Planning in India

Because fixed calendar holidays shift one weekday forward between 2026 and 2027 (and movable lunar or liturgical holidays shift by 10 to 15 days), HR teams, payroll processors, and employees in India should account for the following 2026–2027 date comparisons and leave-bridge opportunities: