As the new year approaches, many customers are searching for the January 2026 Bank Holidays to plan banking transactions, travel, and personal commitments in advance. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banks across India will remain closed for up to 16 days in January 2026, depending on the state and local observances.
- Why Bank Holidays Differ Across States in January 2026
- January 2026 Bank Holidays List (State-Wise Highlights)
- Weekend Bank Holidays in January 2026
- Consecutive Bank Holidays in January 2026
- Will Online Banking Work During January 2026 Bank Holidays?
- January 2026 Calendar: Planning Tips for Customers
- FAQs on January 2026 Bank Holidays
- Q1. Are banks closed for 16 days everywhere in January 2026?
- Q2. Is January 26 a bank holiday across India?
- Q3. Do weekends count as bank holidays?
- The Illusion of the Long Weekend
- Beyond the Calendar: Seeking Lasting Peace
It is important to note that banks will not be shut for 16 days everywhere. Bank holidays in India vary by region due to state-specific festivals, anniversaries, and cultural events, along with national holidays and weekends.
Why Bank Holidays Differ Across States in January 2026
The RBI releases a month-wise and state-wise bank holiday list every year. These holidays fall under three categories:
- National Holidays (observed across India)
- State-Specific Festivals and Observances
- Weekend Closures (Sundays and second & fourth Saturdays)
In January 2026, festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, Saraswati Puja, and important birth anniversaries contributed to multiple regional closures .
January 2026 Bank Holidays List (State-Wise Highlights)
Below is a consolidated list of major bank holidays in January 2026, as per RBI-approved schedules:
Key Dates to Note
| State | City | Holidays (January 2026) |
| Tripura | Agartala | 23, 26 |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad | 14, 26 |
| Mizoram | Aizawl | 1, 2, 26 |
| Maharashtra | Belapur | 26 |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru | 15, 26 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | 26 |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar | 14, 23, 26 |
| Punjab & Haryana | Chandigarh | 26 |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai | 1, 15, 16, 17, 26 |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun | 26 |
| Sikkim | Gangtok | 1, 15, 26 |
| Assam | Guwahati | 14, 26 |
| Telangana | Hyderabad | 15, 26 |
| Manipur | Imphal | 1, 26 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | 1, 14, 26 |
| Rajasthan/Jammu | Jaipur / Jammu | 26 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Kanpur / Lucknow | 3, 26 |
| Kerala | Kochi / Thiruvananthapuram | 2, 26 |
| Nagaland / Meghalaya | Kohima / Shillong | 1, 26 |
| West Bengal | Kolkata | 1, 12, 23, 26 |
| Maharashtra / New Delhi / Goa / Bihar / Chattisgarh / Jharkhand / Himachal Pradesh / J & K | Mumbai / Nagpur / New Delhi / Panaji / Patna / Raipur / Ranchi / Shimla / Srinagar | 26 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Vijayawada | 15, 26 |
List of Holidays in January 2026
- 1 January: New Year / Gaan-Ngai
- 2 January: New Year / Mannam Jayanthi
- 3 January: Birthday of Hazrat Ali
- 12 January: Birthday of Swami Vivekananda
- 14 January: Makar Sakranti Magh Bihu
- 15 January: Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti / Makara Sankranti
- 16 January: Thiruvalluvar Day
- 17 January: Uzhavar Thirunal
- 23 January: Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose / Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami) / Vir Surendrasai Jayanti / Basanta Panchami
- 26 January: Republic Day
(Source: RBI holiday calendar)
Weekend Bank Holidays in January 2026
Apart from festival-related closures, banks will also remain shut on weekly offs, as mandated by the RBI:
- Sundays: January 4, 11, 18, 25
- Second Saturday: January 10
- Fourth Saturday: January 24
These weekend closures significantly contribute to the total number of January 2026 bank holidays.
Consecutive Bank Holidays in January 2026
Customers should be cautious of back-to-back bank holidays in certain regions. Some states may experience three to four consecutive non-working days, especially when festivals align with weekends.
Examples of Potential Long Weekends
- January 15–17: Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Thiruvalluvar Day, and Uzhavar Thirunal (Tamil Nadu)
- January 23, 25, 26: Saraswati Puja followed by weekend and Republic Day (select states)
Such periods may affect cheque clearances, branch visits, and in-person banking services.
Will Online Banking Work During January 2026 Bank Holidays?
Yes. Even when physical branches remain closed:
- Internet banking
- Mobile banking apps
- UPI transactions
- ATM services
These will continue to function normally. However, services like RTGS, NEFT settlements, and cheque clearing may be delayed on holidays, as per RBI norms.
Also Read: The Great Fracture: How Global Trade Is Being Rewired in 2026
January 2026 Calendar: Planning Tips for Customers
To avoid last-minute inconvenience:
- Complete urgent branch-related work in advance
- Monitor state-wise holiday lists
- Schedule loan documentation and cash withdrawals early
- Use digital banking for non-branch transactions
FAQs on January 2026 Bank Holidays
Q1. Are banks closed for 16 days everywhere in January 2026?
No. Banks may be closed for up to 16 days, but the exact number depends on state-wise holidays.
Q2. Is January 26 a bank holiday across India?
Yes. Republic Day is a national holiday, and banks remain closed nationwide.
Q3. Do weekends count as bank holidays?
Yes. All Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays are official bank holidays.
The Illusion of the Long Weekend
As we welcome January 2026, many are already circling bank holidays on their calendars, eager for a momentary escape from the relentless grind of daily life. We view these brief breaks as essential ‘recharges’ for our mental and physical well-being. But have we ever paused to wonder why the ‘holiday glow’ vanishes the moment we return to our desks? If these breaks are the solution to our exhaustion, why do we find ourselves counting down to the next one just days after the last one ended?
Beyond the Calendar: Seeking Lasting Peace
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj reveals that these short-lived pauses are mere mirages in a world governed by karmic debt and decay. While modern life offers temporary relief, it fails to address the root cause of our restlessness. We are currently in exile from our true, eternal home — Satlok — a realm where peace and abundance are not ‘scheduled’ but are a natural, everlasting state. Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj wisely reminds us:
“Drishti pade so dhokha re. Khand pind brahmand chalenge thir nahi rahsi loka re. thir nahi rahsi loka re.”
This verse reminds us that everything we see — including our temporary comforts — is an illusion and destined to perish. Instead of chasing fleeting holidays, we must embrace the true worship that dissolves the chains of karma. Discover the path to permanent salvation as given by the Complete Saint — Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj and find the only rest that never ends.
Are you ready to discover a peace that doesn’t expire on Monday morning? Learn the secret to escaping the cycle of stress and finding your true purpose.
Website: www.jagatgururampalji.org YouTube: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Facebook: Spiritual Leader Saint Rampal Ji ‘X’ handle: @SaintRampalJiM
