Bank branches across several parts of India will remain closed on October 20 and 21 for Dussehra, Vijayadashami, Durga Puja and other regional festivals. The closures will depend on the state and banking centre, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) holiday calendar.
With multiple festivals taking place during the week, customers should check their local bank holiday schedule before visiting a branch. Planning ahead can help avoid delays in transactions and other essential banking work.
Bank Holidays on October 20
Tuesday, October 20, will see bank closures across most parts of the country for Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami. Depending on the region, the holiday will also cover Mahanavami, Ayudha Puja and Durga Puja.
Gangtok and Imphal are among the exceptions to the widespread closures listed for this date. Customers should confirm the holiday status of their specific banking centre before making a visit.
Which Cities Will Have Bank Holidays on October 21?
On Wednesday, October 21, bank branches will remain closed in the following cities for Vijayadashami, Durga Puja or related regional observances:
- Agartala
- Bengaluru
- Gangtok
- Guwahati
- Kochi
- Kolkata
- Thiruvananthapuram
Since bank holidays vary by location and festival, customers are advised to consult the RBI calendar or their bank’s official notifications for confirmation.
More Bank Holidays During the Week
The festive closures will continue in some regions over the following days.
- October 22 and 23: Banks in Gangtok will remain closed for Durga Puja and Dasain.
- October 24: Banks across India will be closed for the fourth Saturday of the month.
- October 25: Banks across India will remain closed on Sunday.
- October 26: Branches in Agartala, Chandigarh, Jammu, Shimla and Srinagar will observe holidays for events including Lakshmi Puja, Accession Day and Maharishi Valmiki’s birthday.
The applicable holiday may differ between banking centres, so customers should check the schedule for their particular branch.
Which Banking Services Will Be Available During the Holidays?
Even when physical branches are closed, customers can generally continue to use digital banking facilities, including UPI payments, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs.
However, services that require an in-person branch visit may be unavailable. These can include accessing bank lockers, obtaining demand drafts, completing certain KYC procedures and conducting some large cash transactions.
Cheque clearing and other transactions dependent on branch operations may also experience delays during the holiday period.
Customers with urgent banking requirements should complete branch-related work in advance and confirm local holiday dates before travelling.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Bank holiday schedules may vary by state, city and banking centre. Customers should verify the latest holiday notifications through the RBI or their respective bank before planning branch visits or time-sensitive transactions.