India’s incredible diversity is beautifully reflected in its calendar of holidays, which varies significantly from one state to another. For anyone managing finances, business, or travel across the country, a comprehensive guide to state-wise bank holidays in India for 2026 is an indispensable tool. Whether you’re coordinating a business payment from Maharashtra to West Bengal or planning a family vacation from Delhi to Kerala, understanding the regional holiday schedule is key to avoiding disruptions and ensuring smooth planning. This guide provides a consolidated overview and explains how to navigate India’s complex holiday landscape.
Quick Answer
The 2026 state-wise bank holiday list in India comprises three national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) and numerous regional holidays specific to each state’s culture and festivals. States like Maharashtra celebrate Gudhi Padwa, Kerala observes Onam, and West Bengal has an extended Durga Puja break. This guide helps in navigating these diverse schedules for effective pan-India planning.
Understanding the Structure of Bank Holidays in India
Bank holidays in India are not a monolithic entity. They are structured in a tiered system. At the top are the three National Holidays: Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). These are the only holidays observed uniformly by every bank across the entire country. Below this, each state government has the authority to declare its own list of public holidays based on regional festivals, local traditions, and significant anniversaries. For example, Pongal is a major holiday in Tamil Nadu, while Bihu is celebrated in Assam. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) then finalizes the bank holiday list for each state, which all banking institutions in that specific state must follow. This decentralised system is what makes a state-wise guide so essential.
Why a State-Wise Holiday List is Crucial
Having a consolidated understanding of state-wise holidays is vital for several reasons:
- Pan-India Business Operations: Companies with offices or clients in multiple states must track different holiday schedules to manage payroll, logistics, and payment deadlines effectively. A holiday in your client’s state can delay payments.
- Financial Transaction Planning: If you need to clear an outstation cheque or process a large fund transfer that requires inter-state bank coordination, knowing the holiday schedule at both ends is critical to avoid delays.
- Travel Planning: Planning a trip across multiple states? Knowing the local holidays will help you anticipate closures of banks and government offices, and also let you experience local festivals.
- Avoiding Confusion: It prevents the common mistake of assuming a festival celebrated in your state is a holiday everywhere. For instance, Ganesh Chaturthi is a major holiday in Maharashtra but may not be a bank holiday in West Bengal.
- Coordinating with Family and Friends: If you have family spread across different states, a state-wise list helps in coordinating leaves and planning get-togethers.
A Comparative Look at Key State Holidays in 2026
To illustrate the diversity, let’s compare some major state-specific holidays across India. This table highlights how different states celebrate their unique festivals, leading to different bank holiday schedules.
| State | Major State-Specific Holiday | Description |
| Maharashtra | Gudhi Padwa | The Maharashtrian New Year, celebrated with the raising of the ‘Gudhi’. |
| West Bengal | Durga Puja | A five-day festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga, the biggest festival in the state. |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal | A four-day harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. |
| Kerala | Onam | A ten-day harvest festival culminating in Thiruvonam, celebrating the homecoming of King Mahabali. |
| Karnataka | Kannada Rajyotsava | Celebrates the formation of the state of Karnataka on November 1st. |
| Punjab | Baisakhi | A harvest festival that also marks the Sikh New Year. |
| Assam | Bihu | A set of three cultural festivals celebrating the agricultural cycle. |
| Gujarat | Uttarayan/Bestu Varas | The kite festival and the Gujarati New Year post-Diwali. |
How do I find the official bank holiday list for a specific state?
The most reliable way to find the official bank holiday list for a specific state is to check the website of the state government’s General Administration Department. These lists are usually published as official notifications towards the end of the preceding year. Alternatively, the Reserve Bank of India’s website also provides a state-wise list of holidays for banking operations. Our specific state guides, like the complete calendar for West Bengal, are also excellent resources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Inter-State Transactions
Navigating different holiday schedules can be tricky. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Assuming a National Holiday: Besides the three main ones, no other holiday is truly “national”. Diwali or Holi might be celebrated everywhere, but the exact dates and number of holidays can vary.
- Forgetting About NEFT/RTGS Processing: While you can initiate these transfers online 24/7, they are only processed during working hours on days when banks are open in both the sending and receiving states. A holiday at either end can cause a delay.
- Ignoring Regional Bank Hours: In some regions or during certain festivals, banks might operate for shorter hours on the day before a major holiday. It’s always good to check.
- Outstation Cheque Clearing Delays: Clearing a cheque from another state already takes time. If there is a bank holiday in either your city or the city of the cheque’s origin, the process will be delayed further.
Are the second and fourth Saturdays holidays in every state?
Yes. The rule of banks being closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month is a nationwide directive from the Reserve Bank of India. This is uniform across all states and union territories in India, for all public, private, and cooperative banks.
Conclusion
Navigating the 2026 bank holidays in India requires a state-wise approach. Understanding the regional nuances of the holiday calendar is key to efficient financial management, seamless business operations, and well-planned travel. While the diversity can seem complex, using a reliable state-wise guide empowers you to plan effectively. Always remember to check the specific holiday list for the state you are dealing with to ensure your plans are foolproof and your transactions are timely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the most number of bank holidays in India?
The number of bank holidays varies each year, but typically, states with a high number of significant local festivals, like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, or Assam, tend to have a longer list of bank holidays compared to others.
Are bank holidays the same for government offices?
Mostly, but not always. The list of public holidays for government offices is declared separately by the state and central governments. While most of these dates overlap with bank holidays, there can be minor differences. Always check the specific list you need.
What is the difference between a gazetted and a restricted holiday?
A gazetted holiday is a mandatory holiday for all government offices and banks. A restricted holiday is an optional holiday from which an employee can choose a certain number of days off from a list provided by the government or their employer.
Do bank holidays affect stock market operations?
Yes. The stock exchanges (BSE and NSE) have their own list of trading holidays, which generally includes the major national and religious holidays. If it’s a major bank holiday like Diwali, the stock market will also be closed.
Are Union Territory bank holidays different from state holidays?
Yes, Union Territories like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Puducherry have their own separate lists of bank holidays. For instance, the Delhi bank holiday schedule will be different from that of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh or Haryana.