Bank holidays in October 2026: the festival closures state by state, and what still works
Apart from Gandhi Jayanti, October's bank holidays depend on where you live. Banks close for Durga Puja and Dussehra on 19, 20 and 21 October in different states, and for regional festivals later in the month. Branches also shut on Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays, 10 and 24 October. UPI, net banking, mobile banking and ATMs generally keep working.
What changed
- The festival season brings state-specific bank closures on 19, 20 and 21 October 2026, and more later in the month.
Closures across India
Friday 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, was a bank holiday in every state and union territory.
Banks also close on Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. In October 2026 those Saturdays are 10 and 24 October.
Durga Puja and Dussehra week
Saturday 10 October: Mahalaya Amavasya, in Karnataka and Kolkata. Saturday 17 October: Maha Saptami, in Tripura.
Monday 19 October: Maha Ashtami and Durga Puja, in states including West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya.
Tuesday 20 October: Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami, in most states except Manipur and Sikkim.
Wednesday 21 October: Vijaya Dashami and Durga Puja, in Tripura, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal. Sikkim's banks also close on 22 and 23 October for Durga Puja (Dasain).
Later in the month
Monday 26 October: Lakshmi Puja, Accession Day or Maharishi Valmiki's birthday, in Tripura, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar and Himachal Pradesh.
Thursday 29 October: Karva Chauth, in Himachal Pradesh. Saturday 31 October: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birthday, in Gujarat.
What still works on a bank holiday
UPI, net banking, mobile banking and ATMs generally stay available when branches are closed. Work that needs a branch, such as some cheque-related services, locker access and documentation, waits for the next working day.
Holidays are set state by state from the Reserve Bank of India's calendar, so check your own state's list, or ask your branch, before planning a visit.
Why it matters
- A branch visit for cheques, lockers or paperwork can be wasted if it falls on a regional holiday; digital payments are generally unaffected.
What remains uncertain
- The two published lists differ slightly on which states close on 19 October; check your state's list or branch.
- State governments can declare additional holidays at short notice.
Facts and evidence
Gandhi Jayanti on Friday 2 October 2026 was a bank holiday in all states and union territories.
Banks close on Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays, which in October 2026 are 10 and 24 October.
On Tuesday 20 October, Dussehra, banks close in most states except Manipur and Sikkim.
On Monday 19 October banks close for Durga Puja and Maha Ashtami in several eastern, north-eastern and southern states, and on Wednesday 21 October for Vijaya Dashami in Tripura, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal.
Later regional closures include 26 October (several northern centres and Tripura), 29 October (Himachal Pradesh) and 31 October (Gujarat).
UPI, net banking, mobile banking and ATMs generally remain available on bank holidays; branch-only services wait for the next working day.
Sources
Business Today: Bank holidays in October 2026: check state-wise closures before visiting your branch (29 September 2026)Read at the source · EN
Bank holidays in October 2026: check state-wise closures before visiting your branch (29 September 2026)
Read the original sourceOutlook Money: Bank holidays in October 2026: Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Durga Puja and other holidays (30 September 2026)Read at the source · EN
Bank holidays in October 2026: Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Durga Puja and other holidays (30 September 2026)
Read the original source