Banks across India, including the State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Punjab National Bank (PNB), will remain closed today, October 24, 2026, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month.
According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, banks observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, along with Sundays. Although physical branches remain closed on these days, most digital banking facilities continue to operate.
Bank Holiday Today: Which Cities Are Affected?
The October 24 bank holiday applies nationwide because it falls on the fourth Saturday. Customers of SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, PNB, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda and other banks will not be able to access regular in-branch services today.
Apart from scheduled weekend closures, banks may also observe holidays for regional festivals and local occasions. The applicable dates can vary from one state or city to another. Customers should check the RBI’s official holiday calendar or contact their local branch to confirm the schedule for 2026.
Bank Holiday List for October 2026
The RBI’s holiday calendar includes weekly closures and holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, along with other specified bank holidays. The dates and locations listed for October 2026 are as follows:
- October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti: Banks closed nationwide.
- October 4 – Sunday: Banks closed nationwide.
- October 10 – Mahalaya Amavasye and second Saturday: Banks closed in Bengaluru and Kolkata for Mahalaya Amavasye, with the regular second-Saturday closure nationwide.
- October 11 – Sunday: Banks closed nationwide.
- October 17 – Maha Saptami: Banks closed in Agartala.
- October 18 – Sunday: Banks closed nationwide.
- October 19 – Dussehra, Maha Navami, Ayutha Pooja and Durga Puja: Branches closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi and Shillong.
- October 20 – Dussehra, Vijaya Dashmi and Mahanavami: Banks closed in most major cities, except Gangtok and Imphal.
- October 21 – Vijaya Dasami and Durga Puja: Branches closed in Agartala, Bengaluru, Gangtok, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram.
- October 22 and 23 – Durga Puja and Dasain: Banks closed in Gangtok.
- October 24 – Fourth Saturday: Banks closed nationwide.
- October 25 – Sunday: Banks closed nationwide.
- October 26 – Laxmi Puja, Accession Day and Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday: Branches closed in Agartala, Chandigarh, Jammu, Shimla and Srinagar.
- October 29 – Karva Chauth: Banks closed in Shimla.
- October 31 – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Birthday: Banks closed in Ahmedabad.
Customers should note that festival-related closures depend on the location and the applicable state holiday schedule.
How to Make Payments and Access Banking Services During Holidays
Even when bank branches are closed, customers can continue to use several digital banking services for routine financial transactions.
UPI payments, money transfers and other supported services are generally available through banking apps and UPI applications around the clock. However, temporary interruptions may occur during scheduled maintenance or technical issues.
Customers can also use internet banking to access available account services and initiate eligible transactions. ATMs and debit or credit cards can be used for cash withdrawals and card payments, subject to availability and applicable limits.
Certain banking requests, including fund transfers through NEFT or RTGS, demand drafts, cheque books, standing instructions and locker applications, may be initiated through digital channels or submitted using the relevant forms where supported. Processing times and service availability may depend on the specific request.
Before visiting a branch, customers are advised to confirm its holiday schedule and check whether the required service is available online.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Bank holidays may vary by state, city and individual branch. Customers should verify holiday dates and service availability through the official RBI holiday calendar or their respective bank before making financial arrangements. The information provided here should not be considered financial or banking advice.