NEW DELHI, Jan 14, 2026, 06:21 IST
- Banks will be closed in certain states on Jan 14 for Makar Sankranti/Magh Bihu, followed by broader shutdowns across parts of India on Jan 15 for Pongal and other regional holidays.
- Despite Lohri’s popularity in north India, Jan 13 did not see a nationwide bank holiday.
- Even in areas where branches have shut, digital options like UPI and ATMs are still accessible.
Banks in certain regions of India are closed Wednesday for Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu. While not a nationwide stoppage, the shutdown affects key local centers and precedes further closures set for Thursday.
The timing is crucial since mid-January floods branches with cash withdrawals, cheque deposits, and forms that require in-person handling. Different state holiday schedules can disrupt travellers and small businesses, as festivals fall on varying days across India.
Confusion deepens because bank holidays vary: some apply nationally, others only locally. Many are declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which regulates cheques and permits regional bank holidays.
The Reserve Bank of India’s holiday calendar for January 2026 shows regional offices closed on Jan 14 and Jan 15 for “Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act,” with Republic Day on Jan 26 marked as a nationwide holiday. It also confirms that all scheduled and non-scheduled banks will be closed on the second and fourth Saturdays each month. (Reserve Bank of India)
On Jan 14, bank branches will be closed in Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh for Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu. Most other states, however, will keep their branches open that day. Closures expand on Jan 15, affecting Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Sikkim for Pongal, Uttarayana Punyakala, and Maghe/Makara Sankranti, with Maharashtra also observing a holiday. Despite branch shutdowns, digital channels like UPI, mobile and internet banking, and ATMs will remain available. (The Times of India)
The Jan 15 shutdown will hit major cities hard. Banks in metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are set to remain closed, according to the Hindustan Times. The RBI also points to Maharashtra’s municipal-corporation elections as a reason for the holiday. (Hindustan Times)
Banks stayed open Tuesday despite Lohri celebrations kicking off in northern India. According to LiveMint, big names like State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank operated branches as usual since the RBI’s holiday calendar doesn’t recognize Lohri as a bank holiday. (mint)
Uttar Pradesh just threw a curveball. The state government changed its holiday calendar, turning Jan 15 into a public holiday instead of the restricted holiday originally set for Jan 14, according to The Economic Times. This update applies to government offices and public-sector banks. (The Economic Times)
Holiday schedules still differ across cities and banks, with some branches occasionally open for limited services. Customers depending on cheque clearing or cash transactions handled only in branches may face delays if local clearing operations shut down.
The mid-January cluster falls between weekend shutdowns, squeezing the available working days in certain markets. Customers looking to visit branches should stick to the RBI’s city-specific calendar as their guide.
