Bank Holiday on August 15: RBI Declares Nationwide Closure for Independence Day – Know What Services Will Remain Available

New Delhi, August 14, 2025 – All public and private sector banks across India will remain closed tomorrow, Friday, August 15, on account of the nation’s 78th Independence Day. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has listed the day as an official public holiday, applicable to all bank branches nationwide.

While physical banking services at branches will not be available, customers can still access essential facilities through ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking, and UPI transactions without interruption.

Why Banks Will Be Closed on August 15

August 15 holds a special place in the hearts of Indians as the day marks the country’s freedom from British colonial rule in 1947. This year, India will celebrate its 78th Independence Day, a momentous occasion observed with flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural programs, and nationwide festivities.

In addition to Independence Day, the RBI’s holiday list for August also includes festivals such as Parsi New Year (Pateti) and Janmashtami in certain regions. However, the August 15 holiday is uniform across the country for all banks.

Impact on Banking Services

On Friday, all bank branches will remain shut, meaning customers will not be able to carry out in-person transactions like cheque clearance, demand draft issuance, or over-the-counter deposits and withdrawals.

However, digital banking channels will function as usual, allowing customers to:

• Transfer money through net banking or mobile banking

• Make instant payments via UPI apps

• Withdraw cash and check account balances through ATMs

Those with urgent banking tasks are advised to plan their branch visits either before or after the holiday to avoid inconvenience.

Stock Market to Remain Shut Too

It’s not just banks that will take a break on Independence Day. Both major Indian stock exchanges – the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) – will remain closed on August 15, 2025, for trading activities.

Other Notable Bank Holidays in August 2025

Apart from Independence Day, several other regional and national holidays have been listed by the RBI for August 2025. Here are some key upcoming dates:

• August 16 (Saturday) – Janmashtami (Shravan Vad-8) / Krishna Janmashtami – Holiday in cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Jammu, etc.

• August 19 (Tuesday) – Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur’s Birthday – Holiday only in Agartala

• August 25 (Monday) – Srimanta Sankardev Tirobhav Tithi – Holiday only in Guwahati

• August 27 (Wednesday) – Ganesh Chaturthi / Samvatsari / Ganesh Puja – Holiday in Mumbai, Nagpur, Chennai, Hyderabad, and other cities

• August 28 (Thursday) – Ganesh Chaturthi (Second Day) / Nuakhai – Holiday in Bhubaneswar and Panaji

Plan Ahead to Avoid Disruption

While the RBI publishes its annual list of holidays in advance, many customers tend to overlook these dates until they arrive. To ensure smooth transactions, especially for time-sensitive payments or document processing, it’s always wise to keep track of the holiday schedule.

Remember, although branch banking will pause for a day, India’s robust digital banking ecosystem ensures that most financial needs can still be met without interruption. From transferring funds to paying bills, technology ensures that the Independence Day holiday does not stall your essential transactions.

Bottom Line: On August 15, 2025, all bank branches in India will be closed as the nation celebrates Independence Day. Digital banking, ATMs, and UPI will remain operational, ensuring that customers can still manage their finances seamlessly.