Bank Holiday Alert: Banks to Remain Closed on Monday, December 22 – Here’s Why RBI Declared a Holiday

New Delhi:
If you are planning to visit your bank branch on Monday, December 22, 2025, you may need to rethink your schedule. As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banks will remain closed in Sikkim on this day due to a regional festival. While the shutdown will not apply across the entire country, customers in affected regions should complete urgent banking tasks in advance to avoid inconvenience.

December is already packed with multiple bank holidays, including weekends and regional festivals, and the final days of the month may see several consecutive closures in some states.

Why Are Banks Closed on December 22?

Banks in Sikkim will remain closed on December 22 in observance of Losong/Namsong, a major traditional festival of the state. The festival is widely celebrated by the Lepcha and Bhutia communities and marks the end of the harvest season along with the arrival of the Sikkimese New Year.

Due to this regional holiday, all public and private sector bank branches in Sikkim will remain shut. Customers in other states, however, should note that banks will operate normally unless affected by other local holidays.

Importantly, since December 21 is a Sunday, banks in Sikkim will remain closed for three consecutive days—Sunday (weekly holiday), Monday (Losong/Namsong), and in some areas even longer depending on local schedules.

Bank Holidays in December 2025: Key Dates to Remember

Here is a quick overview of major bank holidays in the remaining days of December 2025, as notified by the RBI:

• December 21 (Sunday):
  Weekly holiday – banks closed nationwide.

• December 22 (Monday):
  Banks closed in Sikkim due to Losong/Namsong festival.

• December 24 (Wednesday):
  Banks closed in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram on account of Christmas Eve.

• December 25 (Thursday):
  Christmas Day – banks closed across India.

• December 26 (Friday):
  Banks closed again in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram as part of extended Christmas celebrations.

• December 27 (Saturday):
  Fourth Saturday of the month – banks closed nationwide.

• December 28 (Sunday):
  Weekly holiday – banks closed across India.

• December 30 (Tuesday):
  Banks closed in Meghalaya to observe the death anniversary of freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah.

• December 31 (Wednesday):
  Banks closed in Mizoram and Manipur due to New Year’s Eve and the Imoinu Iratpa festival.

In some northeastern states, banks may remain closed for four to five consecutive days, making advance planning essential.

Will Online Banking Services Be Affected?

Despite physical branches being closed on these dates, digital banking services will continue to function normally. Customers can still access:

• UPI payments

• Mobile banking apps

• Internet banking

• ATM withdrawals and deposits

However, services such as cheque clearance, cash deposits at branches, locker access, and in-person customer support will not be available on bank holidays.

What Customers Should Do

With the year-end approaching and important deadlines related to tax filing, ITR corrections, Aadhaar-PAN linking, and financial planning, customers are advised to:

• Complete branch-related work before December 22

• Avoid last-minute banking visits during the final week of December

• Rely on digital payment modes where possible

• Keep emergency cash handy if traveling to regions with extended holidays

RBI Holiday Calendar: Why It Matters

The RBI declares bank holidays based on national holidays, state-specific festivals, cultural observances, and weekly off-days. Since these holidays vary by state, customers should always check the RBI’s official holiday list or their bank’s website before planning a branch visit.

Final Word

To avoid unnecessary trouble, make sure you are aware of regional bank holidays in your state. While banks will remain open in most parts of India on December 22, customers in Sikkim should plan ahead due to the Losong/Namsong festival closure.

Digital banking will remain uninterrupted, but for any branch-related work, advance planning is the key during the holiday-heavy final stretch of December.