For the residents of the culturally rich state of West Bengal, planning the year ahead is an art that balances work, life, and the celebration of its numerous festivals. A vital tool in this process is the complete 2026 bank holiday calendar for West Bengal. Whether you’re a business owner in Kolkata, a government employee in Siliguri, or a student in Durgapur, knowing the dates when banks are non-operational is crucial for financial planning, travel arrangements, and participating in the state’s grand festivities, especially the magnificent Durga Puja. This guide provides the official list of bank holidays to help you organise your year seamlessly.
Quick Answer
The 2026 bank holiday calendar for West Bengal features a unique blend of national holidays and significant regional festivals. Key holidays include Durga Puja, Kali Puja (Diwali), Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday, alongside Republic Day and Independence Day. This schedule is essential for planning finances and leaves in West Bengal.
Understanding West Bengal’s Bank Holidays
The list of bank holidays in West Bengal is a reflection of its deep-rooted cultural and historical identity. The holidays are declared by the State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Beyond the mandatory national holidays, the calendar is generously populated with festivals that are the lifeblood of Bengali culture. The most significant of these is the five-day Durga Puja festival, during which the entire state comes to a standstill to celebrate. Other important holidays include Saraswati Puja, Poila Boishakh, and the birthdays of eminent personalities like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore. For individuals and businesses alike, this calendar is non-negotiable for proper yearly planning, impacting everything from salary disbursals to stock market operations in Kolkata.
West Bengal Bank Holiday List for 2026
Here is the anticipated official list of bank holidays for West Bengal in 2026. Mark your calendars to ensure you are well-prepared for the year’s events. Note that dates for certain festivals are based on the lunar calendar and are subject to official confirmation.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| January 12 | Monday | Swami Vivekananda’s Birthday |
| January 23 | Friday | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Birthday |
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day |
| February 14 | Saturday | Saraswati Puja (Vasant Panchami) |
| March 7 | Saturday | Doljatra |
| April 10 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 14 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti |
| April 15 | Wednesday | Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year) |
| May 1 | Friday | May Day |
| May 7 | Thursday | Buddha Purnima (Also Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday) |
| May 25 | Monday | Id-ul-Fitr |
| August 1 | Saturday | Id-ul-Adha (Bakrid) |
| August 15 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| August 30 | Sunday | Muharram |
| October 2 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| October 19 | Monday | Durga Puja (Panchami) |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Durga Puja (Sasthi) |
| October 21 | Wednesday | Durga Puja (Saptami) |
| October 22 | Thursday | Durga Puja (Ashtami) |
| October 23 | Friday | Durga Puja (Nabami) |
| October 24 | Saturday | Durga Puja (Dashami) |
| October 30 | Friday | Lakshmi Puja / Id-e-Milad |
| November 14 | Saturday | Kali Puja / Diwali |
| November 16 | Monday | Bhatridwitiya |
| November 30 | Monday | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas |
Key Benefits of Planning with the Holiday Calendar
Leveraging the bank holiday calendar can streamline your year in several ways:
- Mastering Financial Errands: Plan your banking activities like cheque deposits, applying for loans, or updating your passbook well in advance to avoid being hampered by a series of holidays, especially during Durga Puja.
- Extended Vacations: The calendar for 2026 allows for several long weekends. You can plan trips to Darjeeling, the Sunderbans, or the serene beaches of Digha. You might find our guide on the driving distance from Kolkata to Digha very useful for this.
- Festival Preparation: Knowing the dates for Kali Puja or Poila Boishakh helps you plan your festive shopping and family gatherings without any financial stress.
- Business Continuity: Companies can schedule their financial transactions, manage cash flow, and inform clients about non-operational days to ensure transparency and efficiency.
- Cultural Immersion: For tourists and newcomers to the state, this calendar is a guide to experiencing West Bengal’s vibrant culture at its peak.
Why is Durga Puja a long bank holiday in West Bengal?
Durga Puja is the largest and most important festival in West Bengal. It’s a socio-cultural extravaganza that transcends religion. The extended holiday period, often spanning from Panchami to Dashami, allows everyone to participate fully in the celebrations, which include pandal hopping, cultural performances, and family reunions. The state government declares this extended holiday to honour the festival’s immense significance, bringing normal life, including banking, to a halt.
Maximising Your Breaks: Long Weekends in 2026
West Bengal’s 2026 holiday list is a gift for those who love to travel. Netaji’s Birthday (Jan 23rd) is on a Friday, followed by Republic Day on Monday, offering a potential four-day break with one day of leave. May Day is on a Friday. Gandhi Jayanti is on a Friday. The Durga Puja holidays in October, falling from Monday to Saturday, create a week-long festive break. Christmas is also on a Friday. These periods are ideal for planning elaborate vacations or spending quality time at home. Check out some weekend treks from Kolkata to make these breaks more adventurous.
Are online banking services (NEFT, IMPS) functional during holidays?
Yes, digital banking platforms are available 24/7, even on bank holidays. You can use IMPS and UPI for instant fund transfers. While you can initiate NEFT and RTGS transactions anytime, they are processed in batches during working hours on bank working days. So, an NEFT transfer made during the Durga Puja holidays will only be processed on the next working day after the festival.
Common Planning Mistakes to Sidestep
Avoid these simple errors to ensure your plans are foolproof:
- Confusing Doljatra with Holi: While they celebrate the same festival of colours, the main holiday in West Bengal is Doljatra, which might be on a different day than Holi in other North Indian states.
- Underestimating the Durga Puja Rush: ATMs can run out of cash quickly during the Puja week due to heavy withdrawals. Stock up on necessary cash beforehand.
- Forgetting State-Specific Holidays: Holidays for Netaji’s birthday or Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday are specific to West Bengal. Don’t assume they are observed nationwide.
- Ignoring Cheque Clearing Cycles: A cheque deposited before the long Puja holidays will face significant delays in clearing. Plan for this in your financial estimates.
- Relying on Hearsay: Always confirm holiday dates with the official calendar released by the state government, as dates for lunar-based festivals can vary slightly.
Conclusion
The 2026 bank holiday calendar for West Bengal is an indispensable guide for navigating the year. It allows for a harmonious blend of work, personal life, and cultural celebrations. By marking these dates and planning ahead, you can manage your finances effectively, enjoy the state’s unique festivals to the fullest, and make the most of the long weekends. Keep this comprehensive list handy and get ready for a well-planned and joyous 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Poila Boishakh?
Poila Boishakh is the Bengali New Year, typically celebrated on April 14th or 15th. It is a major cultural festival in West Bengal, marking the first day of the Bengali calendar. Businesses start new ledgers (Haal Khata), and people celebrate with new clothes and traditional food.
Is Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday a bank holiday?
Yes, the birthday of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, known as ‘Rabindra Jayanti’, is a significant cultural event and is observed as a public and bank holiday in West Bengal. It usually falls in May.
Are all Saturdays bank holidays in West Bengal?
No. Like the rest of India, banks in West Bengal are closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The first, third, and any fifth Saturday in a month are regular working days for banks.
What is Bhatridwitiya?
Bhatridwitiya, similar to Bhai Dooj in other parts of India, is a festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is observed on the second day after Kali Puja (Diwali) and is a declared bank holiday in West Bengal.
Can I perform stock market transactions on Kolkata bank holidays?
The stock exchanges (NSE/BSE) have their own separate holiday calendar, which largely aligns with national holidays but not all state-specific ones. On a West Bengal-specific bank holiday like Netaji’s Birthday, the stock market might still be open. However, your bank being closed could affect fund transfers for trading.