Bank Branches Closed in Six Indian Cities on October 26 Due to Regional Holidays

Banks in several Indian cities, specifically Agartala, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Jammu, Shimla, and Srinagar, will remain closed on Monday, October 26. These closures are in observance of various regional holidays, including Laxmi Puja, Accession Day, and Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday. This aligns with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bank holiday calendar, which is released at the beginning of every year, detailing such observances.

The RBI calendar specifies that October has a total of 11 holidays, not including regular weekend offs on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays. Bank holidays typically differ from region to region, depending on the festivals and other occasions celebrated locally. It is important to note that all scheduled and non-scheduled banks suspend operations pan-India only during gazetted public holidays and regular weekend holidays, making the October 26 closures localized.

For ordinary savers and taxpayers, while in-branch bank services will be unavailable in the affected cities, digital banking ensures continuity of transactions. Customers can continue to use online or mobile banking services without interruption, unless specific technical issues are notified by their service provider. For cash emergencies, ATMs will remain operational around the clock, allowing individuals to withdraw money. Furthermore, payments can be made using respective bank apps or Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at various outlets and to other people.

Beyond basic transactions, fund transfer requests can also be processed using NEFT/RTGS transfer forms, demand draft request forms, and chequebook forms. Services for obtaining credit cards, debit cards, and ATM cards are available through card services. Additionally, account maintenance forms, setting up standing instructions, and applying for a locker can still be managed during these holidays. The next regional bank holiday is scheduled for October 29, 2026, when banks in Shimla will close for Karva Chauth, and the last bank holiday of this month will be observed on October 31 in Ahmedabad for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.

What to watch: Digital banking services remain functional.

Editor's note: The draft effectively captures all essential information from the source, including the specific cities, reasoning for closures, and alternative service availability.