The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the official bank holiday list for May 2026, and banks will remain closed for a total of 12 days this month. These include weekends, national holidays, and regional festivals.
Since holidays can differ slightly from state to state, it’s always better to stay informed and avoid last-minute inconvenience.
Bank Holidays in May 2026: Full List
Here’s a simple breakdown of when banks will remain closed:
May 1 (Friday) – Buddha Purnima / May Day (Holiday in many states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
May 3 (Sunday) – Weekly holiday
May 9 (Saturday) – Second Saturday + Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti (West Bengal)
May 10 (Sunday) – Weekly holiday
May 16 (Saturday) – State Day (in some states)
May 17 (Sunday) – Weekly holiday
May 23 (Saturday) – Fourth Saturday (nationwide holiday)
May 24 (Sunday) – Weekly holiday
May 26 (Tuesday) – Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti (in some states)
May 27 (Wednesday) – Eid al-Adha (Bakrid, most states)
May 28 (Thursday) – Bakrid holiday continues in some states
May 31 (Sunday) – Weekly holiday
One Long Weekend to Watch
The month begins with a mini long weekend.
May 1 is a holiday
May 2 is a working Saturday
May 3 is Sunday
Even though banks are open on May 2, many people may treat this as a long weekend. This could lead to higher rush before and after these dates.
What Services Will Be Affected?
Bank branch services will not be available on these holidays. This includes:
Cash deposits and withdrawals at counters
Cheque clearance
Passbook updates
If you have important work, it’s best to complete it in advance.
Online Banking Will Keep Working
There’s no need to worry about digital services. Facilities like UPI, mobile banking, internet banking, and ATMs will continue to work without interruption.
Stock Market Holidays in May
The stock market will also remain closed on certain days.
May 1 – Maharashtra Day
May 28 – Bakrid
Both National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will not operate on these dates. As usual, markets are also closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Plan Ahead and Save Time
With multiple holidays lined up, planning becomes important. Knowing these dates in advance can help you avoid unnecessary delays and last-minute stress.
If you have urgent banking tasks, schedule them on working days and make full use of online services whenever possible.
