Bank Holiday Today: Are Banks Closed on Saturday, January 17, 2026? Check RBI Holiday List

If you are planning to visit a bank branch today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, it is important to first check whether banks are open or closed in your city. Many customers often get confused about bank working days, especially on Saturdays, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) follows a specific holiday schedule that varies by week and by state.

Here is a clear and detailed explanation of today’s bank holiday status based on the RBI holiday calendar.

Are Banks Open Today on January 17, 2026?

January 17, 2026, falls on the third Saturday of the month. As per RBI guidelines, banks remain open on the first and third Saturdays, while they are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.

This means that banks are open today in most parts of the country. However, there is one important exception.

Banks Closed in Chennai Due to Local Festival

According to the RBI bank holiday list, banks will remain closed today only in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The closure is due to Uzhavar Thirunal, a state-level festival dedicated to farmers and agricultural workers.

Uzhavar Thirunal is celebrated to honor the contribution of farmers to society and agriculture. Because of this regional holiday, banking services from physical branches will not be available in Chennai today.

Customers in Chennai are advised to plan their banking work accordingly or use digital banking options.

Bank Status in Other States

Except for Chennai, banks are functioning normally across all other states and cities. Customers in regions such as:

• Delhi

• Uttar Pradesh

• Rajasthan

• Maharashtra

• Madhya Pradesh

• Bihar

• Punjab

• Haryana

• Gujarat

• West Bengal

• Karnataka

can visit their bank branches and complete routine banking tasks without any issue. Since today is the third Saturday, branches in these states will operate as per normal Saturday working hours.

Which Banking Services Are Available Today?

In cities where banks are open today, customers can avail of regular branch-based services, including:

• Cash deposits and withdrawals

• Cheque deposits

• Passbook updates

• Account-related services

• Loan and locker-related assistance

In Chennai, where banks are closed due to the local holiday, branch services and cheque clearance will not be available.

However, it is important to note that digital banking services will continue uninterrupted across the country, even in holiday regions.

Digital Services That Remain Active

Regardless of branch closures, the following services will remain operational:

• Net banking

• Mobile banking apps

• UPI payments

• ATM cash withdrawals

• Debit and credit card transactions

Customers can conveniently use online platforms to manage essential transactions on bank holidays.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in January 2026

Here is a quick look at important bank holidays later this month:

• January 18 (Sunday): Banks closed across India

• January 23: Banks closed in select cities including Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Chennai due to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, Saraswati Puja, and other regional observances

• January 26 (Republic Day): Banks closed nationwide

It is advisable to keep track of these dates to avoid inconvenience.

Normal Bank Working Hours

Bank working hours may differ slightly depending on whether it is a public or private sector bank:

• Public sector banks such as SBI, PNB, and Bank of India usually operate from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• Private sector banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank generally work from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Customers are encouraged to visit branches earlier in the day to avoid last-minute rush.

Final Takeaway

To summarize, banks are open today, January 17, 2026, in most parts of India as it is the third Saturday of the month. Only Chennai will observe a bank holiday due to the Uzhavar Thirunal festival. If you are located in Chennai, completing your banking tasks online would be the best option for today.

Before visiting a branch, it is always a good idea to check your local bank’s holiday list or official notifications to stay updated and save time.