Banks across India will be closed in several cities on March 20 and March 21, 2026, due to Eid-related observances, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
However, the closures won’t be the same everywhere, so it’s important to check your city’s holiday schedule before heading to a branch.
Bank Holidays on March 20 and 21
On March 20, banks in select cities will remain closed for Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramzan.
Cities affected include Jammu, Kochi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vijayawada.
On March 21, a larger number of cities will observe a bank holiday for Eid-Ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramzan.
Banks will be closed in major cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Patna, and many others across the country.
Since these holidays vary by location, customers should always double-check with their local branch to avoid inconvenience.
What This Means for Customers
Even though bank branches will be closed, your banking activities won’t come to a halt.
Digital services such as UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and internet banking will continue to work normally.
You can transfer money, pay bills, or shop online anytime—holidays won’t affect these services.
Most transactions are processed instantly or within a few minutes, so you won’t face delays when using mobile or online banking.
However, services that require visiting a branch—like cash deposits, cheque processing, or in-person requests—will not be available on these holidays.
Understanding RBI Holiday Categories
The RBI divides bank holidays into three main types:
Negotiable Instruments Act Holidays: These impact cheque clearing and branch services.
RTGS Holidays: RTGS transactions are not processed at bank branches on these days.
Closing of Accounts: Usually observed on April 1 for annual account settlements.
Knowing these categories can help you better plan your banking tasks.
More Bank Holidays in March 2026
There are additional bank holidays later in March due to regional festivals.
On March 26 (Shree Ram Navami), banks will be closed in cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Ranchi.
On March 27 (Shree Ram Navami – Chaite Dasain), closures will be observed in cities including Bhopal, Hyderabad, Panaji, and Vijayawada.
On March 31 (Mahavir Jayanti), banks will remain closed in cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, New Delhi, Patna, and Raipur.
These holidays depend on regional celebrations, so closures may vary from one city to another.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Hassle
If you need to visit a bank branch, plan your work in advance and check your city’s holiday list.
For everything else, digital banking remains your best option—fast, reliable, and available 24/7.
