Bank Holiday Alert: Banks to Remain Closed for Five Days, Check RBI’s Holiday List for December 2025

If you are planning to visit a bank branch to complete important financial tasks in the last week of December 2025, this update is crucial for you. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) official holiday calendar, banks will remain closed for multiple days across various states starting today. In some regions, banking services will be affected for as many as five days due to a combination of Christmas-related holidays and state-specific observances.

It is important to note that bank holidays in India are not uniform nationwide. While some holidays are observed across the country, others depend on regional festivals, commemorative days, or local events. As a result, banks may remain closed in one state while continuing normal operations in another. Customers are therefore advised to check the holiday schedule specific to their city or state before visiting a bank branch.

Christmas Leads to Nationwide Bank Closure

The most significant national bank holiday in December is Christmas Day on December 25. On this day, all public and private sector banks across India will remain closed. Christmas is observed as a gazetted holiday, which means banking operations, including branch services, cheque clearing, and cash transactions, will be suspended nationwide.

In addition to Christmas Day, several northeastern states such as Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya are observing multiple holidays around the same period. This has resulted in an extended stretch of bank closures in cities like Aizawl, Kohima, and Shillong, where banks will remain shut on several consecutive days.

List of Bank Holidays in the Last Week of December 2025

Here is a detailed breakdown of upcoming bank holidays as per the RBI holiday calendar:

• December 24 (Christmas Eve):
  Banks will remain closed in Aizawl, Kohima, and Shillong.

• December 25 (Christmas):
  Banks will be closed across India.

• December 26 (Christmas Celebrations):
  Banking services will remain unavailable in Aizawl, Kohima, and Shillong.

• December 27:
  Banks will be closed in Kohima only.

• December 30 (Death Anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah):
  Banks will remain shut in Shillong.

• December 31 (New Year’s Eve / Imoinu Iratpa):
  Banks will be closed in Aizawl and Imphal.

Due to these holidays, customers in certain northeastern states may face disruptions in branch-based banking services for up to five days.

Will Digital Banking Services Be Available?

Yes, despite the closure of bank branches, digital banking services will continue to function normally. Customers can access the following services without interruption:

• UPI payments

• Mobile banking apps

• Internet banking

• ATM withdrawals and deposits

However, services that require physical branch visits—such as cheque clearing, cash deposits, cash withdrawals at counters, and document-related services—will not be available on bank holidays. These services fall under the Negotiable Instruments Act and are suspended during official bank closures.

Why RBI Declares Bank Holidays

The RBI issues bank holidays based on a mix of national holidays, state-specific festivals, religious observances, and important commemorative days. Some of the key reasons for bank holidays in December include:

• Christmas and Christmas celebrations

• State foundation days

• Indigenous faith and cultural observances

• Death anniversaries of prominent leaders

• New Year’s Eve and regional festivals

Each state notifies RBI about local holidays, which are then incorporated into the annual holiday calendar.

Important Advice for Bank Customers

• Plan your banking tasks such as cash withdrawals, cheque deposits, or loan-related documentation in advance.

• Check city-wise bank holiday lists before visiting a branch.

• Rely on digital payment options during the holiday period.

• Expect higher footfall and possible delays on working days before and after long holiday stretches.

• If urgent banking work is required, consider visiting branches in nearby cities where banks may remain open.

Bottom Line

With Christmas and regional holidays falling close together, the final week of December 2025 will see multiple bank closures in different parts of the country. While nationwide closure is limited to Christmas Day, some cities—especially in the Northeast—will experience extended banking disruptions. Staying informed and planning ahead will help you avoid last-minute inconvenience and ensure smooth financial transactions during the festive season.