Bank Holiday on March 17: RBI Announces Holiday in Select Cities; Check Where Bank Branches Will Remain Closed

Banks in several parts of India will remain closed on March 17, 2026, according to the official holiday calendar released by the Reserve Bank of India. The holiday will not apply nationwide, meaning bank branches in some regions will remain shut while others will continue normal operations.

As per the RBI’s regional holiday list, banks in Imphal, Jammu, and Srinagar will remain closed on Tuesday due to the observance of Shab-e-Qadr, an important religious occasion in Islam.

Although bank branches in these cities will be closed for physical transactions, customers can continue using digital banking services such as internet banking, mobile banking, UPI, and ATMs.

Why Banks Will Be Closed on March 17

The closure is due to the observance of Shab-e-Qadr, also known as Laylat al-Qadr, which is considered one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar.

According to religious tradition, this is the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed. The occasion falls during the final ten days of the holy month of Ramadan.

On this night, Muslims across the world spend time in prayer, reflection, and worship. Because of its significance, banks in certain regions observe a holiday on this date.

Banking Services That Will Remain Available

Even though physical bank branches will remain closed in the affected cities, most banking services will still be accessible through digital channels. Customers can continue to use:

• Mobile banking apps

• Internet banking platforms

• UPI transactions

• ATM withdrawals and deposits

However, services that require visiting a bank branch—such as cash deposits at counters, cheque clearance processing, and document verification—may not be available on the holiday.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in March 2026

Several additional bank holidays are scheduled across India in the second half of March due to festivals and weekly closures. These holidays vary depending on regional celebrations and state-specific observances.

March 19 – Gudi Padwa / Ugadi / Telugu New Year / First Day of Navratri

Banks will remain closed in cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Panaji, and Vijayawada, among others.

March 20 – Eid-ul-Fitr / Juma-tul-Vida

Many bank branches across major cities such as New Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Patna will remain closed.

March 21 – Eid / Sarhul Festival

Banks will also remain closed in several cities including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, and Ranchi.

March 22 – Sunday

Banks across India will remain closed due to the weekly holiday.

Bank Holidays Later in the Month

The final week of March also includes several major festivals leading to regional bank closures.

March 26 – Ram Navami

Banks will remain closed in cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Ranchi, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Kolkata.

March 27 – Ram Navami (Chaitra Dashain)

Branches will remain closed in cities including Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, and Gangtok.

March 31 – Mahavir Jayanti

Banks will remain closed in several cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raipur, and Ranchi.

What Customers Should Do

Since bank holidays vary by state, customers are advised to check the RBI’s official holiday calendar before planning important banking activities. This can help avoid inconvenience caused by branch closures.

For urgent transactions, digital banking platforms remain the best alternative, allowing users to complete most financial tasks even when physical bank branches are closed.