Banks in India do not operate every day.
They remain closed on national holidays across the country, while regional holidays differ from state to state.
Many people delay important banking work until Saturday due to busy weekdays, but this can sometimes lead to confusion.
It’s important to remember that banks are closed on all Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
On the first Saturday, banks usually remain open. However, there can be exceptions based on state-specific holidays.
Why Banks Are Closed in Uttar Pradesh Today
Today is the first Saturday of the month, so banks are open in most states.
However, banks in Uttar Pradesh are closed due to Hazrat Ali’s birth anniversary.
If you live in Uttar Pradesh and were planning to visit a bank branch today, it’s better to postpone your work.
This holiday applies only to UP and not to other states.
Banks also close on several other occasions such as Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Saraswati Puja, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birthday, and Republic Day.
These holidays vary depending on the state.
Bank Holidays in January 2026: State-Wise List
Here’s a quick look at major bank holidays in January 2026:
January 12: West Bengal – Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary
January 14: Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh – Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu
January 15: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh – Pongal, Uttarayan Punyakaal, Maghe Sankranti
January 16: Tamil Nadu – Thiruvalluvar Day
January 17: Tamil Nadu – Uzhavar Thirunal
January 23: Tripura, Odisha, West Bengal – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, Saraswati Puja, Basant Panchami
January 26: All states – Republic Day
Use Online Banking to Avoid Hassle
Knowing bank holidays in advance helps you plan your work better and avoid last-minute stress.
Even when bank branches are closed, most digital services continue to function.
You can still use ATMs, UPI, mobile banking apps, and net banking for fund transfers, bill payments, and other regular transactions.
However, services like cheque clearance, large cash deposits, and demand draft issuance require a branch visit.
To avoid inconvenience, plan branch-related work ahead of time and make full use of digital banking services during holidays.
