List of Bank Holidays in January 2026: Banks to Remain Closed on These Days

January marks the beginning of a new year, a time when many people return to work, resume regular schedules, and plan their financial and personal commitments. For individuals who rely on in-branch banking services, it is essential to be aware of the Bank Holidays in January 2026 so that important financial tasks like cheque deposits, account closures, loan signings, and other physical banking transactions can be planned accordingly. In this blog post, we’ve put together a detailed and state-wise schedule of all bank holiday in January 2026 closures across India — including national observances, regional festivals, and weekly non-working days — so you can stay informed and avoid unnecessary inconvenience.

The January 2026 bank holidays list also offers context on what each holiday signifies and how it may impact bank operations in various states. Although digital banking services like UPI, mobile banking, and ATM withdrawals remain operational even on bank holidays, branch-based services are not available on these days. So, whether you’re planning a major transaction or simply checking your schedule, read on to find out when banks will be closed throughout the first month of 2026.

Understanding Bank Holidays

Before we get into the specifics, let’s clarify what constitutes a bank holiday in January 2026. Bank holidays are dates when financial institutions (both public and private sector banks) cease normal banking operations due to a public holiday, local festival, national celebration, or as part of regular weekly closures. These holidays are generally issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for branches that follow RBI’s regional holiday calendar. This means that depending on your location — for example, Mizoram versus Tamil Nadu — the Bank Holidays in January 2026 may vary slightly.

Some holidays are observed nationwide (like Republic Day), while others apply only to specific states due to cultural and regional significance. Let’s explore the complete list with dates, occasion names, and relevant locations.

Complete List of Bank Holidays in January 2026

Here is the detailed schedule of all bank holidays in January 2026, including national and regional closures as per the RBI holiday list:

Date	Day	Occasion / Holiday	Observance
January 1, 2026	Thursday	New Year’s Day / Gaan-Ngai	Banks closed in several states including Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, West Bengal & Meghalaya.
January 2, 2026	Friday	New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi	Banks closed in Mizoram & Kerala.
January 3, 2026	Saturday	Birthday of Hazrat Ali	Banks closed in Uttar Pradesh.
January 10, 2026	Saturday	Second Saturday (Weekly Holiday)	Nationwide bank closures (account verification day).
January 11, 2026	Sunday	Weekly Off	Nationwide.
January 12, 2026	Monday	Birth Day of Swami Vivekananda	Banks closed in West Bengal.
January 14, 2026	Wednesday	Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu / Sankranti	Banks closed in several states such as Gujarat, Odisha, Assam & Arunachal Pradesh.
January 15, 2026	Thursday	Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti	Banks closed in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim.
January 16, 2026	Friday	Thiruvalluvar Day	Banks closed in Tamil Nadu.
January 17, 2026	Saturday	Uzhavar Thirunal	Banks closed in Tamil Nadu.
January 18, 2026	Sunday	Weekly Off	Nationwide.
January 23, 2026	Friday	Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti / Saraswati Puja / Basanta Panchami	Banks closed in Tripura, Odisha and West Bengal.
January 24, 2026	Saturday	Fourth Saturday (Weekly Holiday)	Nationwide.
January 25, 2026	Sunday	Weekly Off	Nationwide.
January 26, 2026	Monday	Republic Day (National Holiday)	Banks closed all across India.

This january 2026 bank holidays list outlines key dates when banks remain closed, helping you plan ahead so that your financial activities are not interrupted unexpectedly.

Important National and Regional Holidays

New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026)

The first day of the year — January 1, 2026 — is a bank holiday in many parts of India, including several northeastern and eastern states, celebrating the beginning of the new year. It’s part of the official bank holiday in January 2026 calendar.

Regional Festivals (January 2 & 3, 2026)

January 2 marks New Year celebrations and Mannam Jayanthi in certain regions, while January 3 is observed as the birthday of Hazrat Ali in Uttar Pradesh. These days are included in the wider list of Bank Holidays in January 2026 that predominantly apply to selected states.

Birth Day of Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 2026)

January 12 is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the revered spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda, and banks are closed in West Bengal on this occasion.

Sankranti & Harvest Festivals (January 14–17, 2026)

From Makar Sankranti to Pongal and Uttarayana Punyakala, these mid-January festivals are an integral part of the bank holiday in january 2026 schedule. These cultural observances result in bank closures in various states, especially across southern and western India.

Saraswati Puja / Basanta Panchami (January 23, 2026)

On January 23, many eastern states observe celebrations such as Saraswati Puja and Basanta Panchami. This leads to bank closures in Tripura, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Republic Day — Nationwide Holiday (January 26, 2026)

Republic Day is one of the january 2026 bank holidays observed uniformly across India. Banks remain closed nationwide on January 26 in honor of this important national festival.

Weekly Bank Closures

Apart from festival and special holidays, banks are also closed on:

• All Sundays — a weekly public holiday
• Second Saturday (January 10, 2026) — account verification closing day
• Fourth Saturday (January 24, 2026) — account closing day

These bank holiday in January 2026 weekly breaks help banks complete their internal accounting and administrative work.

Digital Banking vs In-Branch Services

It’s important to note that even on Bank Holidays in January 2026, digital financial services generally remain operational:

• UPI and mobile banking fund transfers
• ATM withdrawals and card payments
• Balance checks and bill payments
• Internet banking support

However, any transaction that requires a physical bank visit — such as submitting documents, withdrawing large amounts of cash, or meeting with bank officials — will not be possible on a bank holiday in january 2026 when branches are shut.

Planning ahead for such activities — at least a day before the scheduled holidays — can save time and avoid delays.

Tips to Navigate Bank Holidays in January 2026

Here are some helpful strategies to make the most of your January with minimal disruption to your banking tasks:

Check the Holiday Calendar Early

Whether it’s the Bank Holidays in January 2026 or regular weekly breaks, reviewing the bank holiday schedule ahead of time allows you to prioritize urgent banking work.

Plan Ahead for Branch Visits

Since the january 2026 bank holidays include both national and regional closures, it’s best to organize any important in-branch work (like submitting documents, cash deposits, or signature updates) before the holiday periods begin. For example, if you know that your local branch will remain closed from January 14–17 due to festival observances in your region, schedule your visit at least one business day before those dates.

Use Digital Banking Services

Even on a bank holiday in January 2026, most digital banking services remain available. You can continue to:

• Transfer funds via UPI or mobile banking
• Make bill payments or EMIs online
• Withdraw cash from ATMs
• Check balances and statements via net banking

These avenues reduce dependency on physical branches and ensure you aren’t hindered by holiday closures.

Verify Local Holidays for Your City

The Bank Holidays in January 2026 calendar varies by city and state because of regional festivals. For instance, Tamil Nadu observes Thiruvalluvar Day (January 16) and Uzhavar Thirunal (January 17) as local holidays, whereas other states may not. Similarly, West Bengal observes Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (January 12) and Basanta Panchami (January 23).

Before planning a bank visit, always check the RBI city-wise holiday list available on the official Reserve Bank of India portal or trusted news sources.

Check Weekly Bank Closures

In addition to the festival holidays, remember that banks also remain closed on all:

• Sundays
• Second Saturday (January 10)
• Fourth Saturday (January 24)

These routine closures are part of the standard january 2026 bank holidays pattern and must be factored into your scheduling.

Impact of Bank Holidays on Financial Transactions

Cheque and Demand Draft Processing

On days designated as a bank holiday in January 2026, services like cheque clearance and demand drafts are not processed since cheque clearing houses and in-branch operations are shut. It’s wise to submit any cheques a day earlier to avoid unnecessary delays.

Loan and EMI Timings

If your EMIs are due on or around a bank holiday, keep in mind that some lenders may mark payments as received on the next business day. Using automatic debit instructions or digital transfers ensures that your payment isn’t marked late because of a holiday closure.

Common January Bank Holidays Recap

Here’s a quick overview of the frequently observed bank holiday in January 2026 dates:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day / Gaan-Ngai
• January 2 – New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi
• January 3 – Birthday of Hazrat Ali
• January 10 & 24 – Second & Fourth Saturdays
• January 12 – Swami Vivekananda Jayanti
• January 14–17 – Festival-related closures (Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Thiruvalluvar Day, etc.)
• January 23 – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti / Saraswati Puja / Basanta Panchami
• January 26 – Republic Day (national holiday)

How These Bank Holidays Affect You?

Whether you’re a student planning to withdraw cash, a business owner managing supplier payments, or an individual renewing fixed deposits, understanding the Bank Holidays in January 2026 helps you avoid last-minute hassles.

Here are some real-world scenarios where this planning matters:

Salary or Withdrawal Scheduling

If you need funds early in the month, withdraw cash before a string of holidays (especially between January 14–17) so you don’t get caught without cash during in-branch closures.

Bill Payments and Utility Transfers

While digital channels operate continuously, certain bills that require branch deposits may not be processed on holidays — plan these ahead or use online tools.

Loan Applications & Documentation

Visiting the bank for loan-related documentation on or near a bank holiday in January 2026 could lead to delays. Always confirm branch operating days before setting appointments.

Final Thoughts

The Bank Holidays in January 2026 include a mix of national, regional, and weekly closures across India. From New Year’s Day and Makar Sankranti to Republic Day, these holidays present several opportunities for banks to remain closed — it’s essential to stay informed so that your financial plans are not interrupted unexpectedly.

By using this comprehensive january 2026 bank holidays schedule, you can organize your banking needs in advance, make timely visits to branches, and utilize digital banking services effectively on the days banks are closed.

If you’re planning any major transactions, be sure to refer to this list and schedule your banking tasks accordingly — helping you start 2026 smoothly with no surprises at your local bank.

FAQs

Are banks closed everywhere on January 26, 2026?

Yes, January 26, 2026 is Republic Day, a nationwide bank holiday in India. All bank branches across the country will be closed on that day.

Will digital banking services work on bank holidays?

Yes, even on a bank holiday in January 2026, digital channels like mobile banking, UPI transfers, internet banking and ATMs will generally continue to work, though in-branch services will be unavailable.

Do banks close on weekends in January 2026?

Yes, all Sundays, as well as the second Saturday (January 10) and fourth Saturday (January 24) are bank closures per RBI rules.

Are all regional holidays bank holidays?

No, many holidays like Makar Sankranti, Pongal or Thiruvalluvar Day only result in bank closures in specific states where those festivals are officially observed.

Related Blog: List of Important Days in January 2026