Bank Holiday Alert: Will Banks Remain Open on December 31 and January 1? Check State-Wise Branch Status Before You Visit

As the year nears its end, many people are planning to finish pending financial tasks on December 31 or begin the New Year with fresh banking updates on January 1. However, an important question is on everyone’s mind — will banks be open on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026? Before you step out for any important banking work, it is crucial to know the holiday schedule to avoid inconvenience.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues a holiday calendar every year, and according to the latest schedule, banks will not be closed nationwide on these two dates. Instead, holidays will apply only in select states due to regional observances and year-end events.

Are Banks Closed on December 31? Here’s What You Need to Know

December 31 marks the last business day of the calendar year, and while most bank branches across the country will operate as usual, there are two states where banks will remain closed:

• Mizoram

• Manipur

If you are residing in these states or planning to visit a branch for essential paperwork, account updates, or cash-related services, it is better to reschedule your plans. Meanwhile, customers in other parts of the country will be able to access all standard offline banking services without interruption.

What About January 1? Will Banks Open on New Year’s Day?

The start of the New Year brings celebrations across India. But when it comes to banking services, January 1, 2026, will not be a working day everywhere. Several major cities and states will observe a public holiday on account of New Year festivities and local festivals.

Here is the list of locations where bank branches will remain shut on January 1:

• Aizawl

• Chennai

• Gangtok

• Imphal

• Itanagar

• Kohima

• Kolkata

• Shillong

In these regions, branch-level operations like cheque deposits, passbook updates, fixed deposit inquiries, and loan documentation will not be available on January 1. Customers are advised to complete urgent work in advance or wait until bank operations resume.

Will Online Banking Services Be Available?

Yes — that’s the good part!

Even on holidays, essential digital banking services will continue to run smoothly:

• UPI payments

• Mobile banking

• Internet banking

• ATM withdrawals

This ensures customers can still transfer funds, pay bills, or withdraw cash anytime, even when branches remain closed.

However, some offline services that require physical branch visits will be delayed, such as:

✔ Cheque clearance
✔ Demand draft issuance
✔ KYC updates
✔ Document verification
✔ Locker access

To avoid any last-minute hassle, plan your tasks before December 31 or after January 1 — especially if you live in the holiday-affected cities.

✔ Final Advice for Customers

If banking is part of your year-end to-do list or New Year planning, make sure you check your local bank branch status in advance. With partial regional holidays in effect, a little preparation will help you save time and avoid unnecessary frustration.

Stay updated, plan smartly, and enjoy a smooth transition into the New Year!