Bank Holiday October 21, 2026: Customers planning to visit a bank branch on Wednesday, October 21, should check the holiday schedule before leaving home. Several states will observe bank holidays in connection with Vijayadashami, Durga Puja and regional religious celebrations.

According to the reported Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday schedule, bank branches in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal are expected to remain closed on October 21.

The holiday will affect branches of public-sector and private-sector banks in the notified locations, including State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.

However, October 21 is not a nationwide bank holiday. Banking services at physical branches may continue as usual in states where no holiday has been declared.

Customers should remember that bank holidays in India are determined according to regional observances and the RBI's location-specific calendar.

Are Banks Closed Tomorrow, October 21, 2026?

Wednesday, October 21, is listed as a bank holiday in certain states for celebrations associated with Vijayadashami and Durga Puja.

The reported affected states are:

These closures concern bank branches in the relevant holiday locations and do not mean that all banking operations across India will stop.

Customers should confirm the applicable holiday with their bank or the RBI's official regional holiday calendar.

Will SBI, PNB, HDFC and ICICI Bank Remain Closed?

The holiday applies to the location of the bank branch, not simply the bank's name.

For example, an SBI branch in Kolkata may remain closed on October 21 because of Durga Puja, while an SBI branch in a city without a notified holiday may operate normally.

The same principle applies to PNB, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and other scheduled banks.

Customers should check the holiday calendar for their specific city, particularly when travelling between states.

The October 21 closures in the six listed states are also reflected in published banking holiday calendars.

Bank Holiday Today, October 20: Where Are Branches Closed?

Tuesday, October 20, is also a major banking holiday because of Dussehra, Mahanavami, Ayudha Puja and Durga Puja.

Bank branches are closed in numerous banking centres, including Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati and Patna.

However, the festival holiday schedule is not identical everywhere. Some regions observe different holidays on October 19, 20 or 21.

This is why customers should not assume that a bank branch will reopen immediately after Dussehra.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in October 2026

Several additional holidays are scheduled during the remaining days of October.

The October 24 and 25 holidays are particularly important because banks will remain closed nationwide on the fourth Saturday and the following Sunday.

Why Are Banks Closed on October 21?

The October 21 holiday is connected with the regional observance of Vijayadashami and Durga Puja.

Vijayadashami is an important Hindu festival celebrating the victory of righteousness over evil.

According to the Ramayana tradition, the festival commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.

It is also associated with Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.

In West Bengal, Tripura and Assam, Durga Puja is celebrated through elaborate religious ceremonies, community gatherings and traditional rituals.

In Sikkim, the festival period is also associated with Dashain celebrations.

Because the religious observances and holiday notifications vary regionally, different banking centres have different closure dates.

Which Banking Services Will Remain Available on October 21?

Even when physical bank branches are closed, customers can generally continue using digital banking facilities.

Digital services remain subject to technical availability, account restrictions and the bank's normal processing arrangements.

Although online transfers can be initiated during holidays, some transactions may still experience delays due to technical issues or other banking procedures.

Will UPI and ATM Services Work During Dussehra Holidays?

UPI services such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and BHIM are generally available even on bank holidays.

Customers can make payments, transfer money and pay bills without visiting a branch.

ATMs also generally remain operational during holidays.

However, cash availability may vary at individual machines, particularly during extended holiday periods.

Customers who need large amounts of cash should make arrangements in advance rather than depending entirely on last-minute ATM withdrawals.

How to Check Whether Your Bank Branch Is Open

Before visiting a bank on October 21, customers should verify the applicable holiday through an official source.

The RBI publishes its holiday schedule on its website at rbi.org.in.

Customers can also check their bank's official website, mobile banking application or customer support channels.

For important transactions involving documents, lockers, demand drafts or branch-based verification, confirming the branch's working hours can prevent unnecessary travel.

Bank Holiday October 21, 2026: Final Update

Bank branches in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal are scheduled to remain closed on Wednesday, October 21, for Vijayadashami and Durga Puja-related celebrations.

The holiday applies to relevant branches of both public-sector and private-sector banks, including SBI, PNB, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.

Branches in other locations may remain open according to their regional holiday calendars.

Customers should also prepare for the nationwide fourth-Saturday and Sunday closures on October 24 and 25.

Before heading to a bank branch, check the RBI holiday calendar for your city. Most digital banking services will continue to operate even when physical branches are closed.