Bank Holiday October 23, 2026: Bank customers planning to visit a branch on Friday, October 23, should check the holiday schedule before leaving home. According to the holiday information reported for October 2026, bank branches in Sikkim will remain closed on Friday in observance of Durga Puja and Dashain.

The closure applies to scheduled bank branches operating in the state, including branches of major public-sector and private-sector banks.

However, the holiday is not a nationwide banking shutdown. Banks in other states are generally expected to operate according to their normal Friday schedules unless a separate local holiday or official instruction applies.

Customers should also be aware that October 23 is followed by the fourth Saturday and Sunday, resulting in three consecutive days without regular branch services in Sikkim.

Here is a detailed look at the October 23 bank holiday, the states affected and the banking services available during the closure.

Are Banks Closed on Friday, October 23, 2026?

According to the reported Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, bank branches in Sikkim will remain closed on Friday, October 23, on account of Durga Puja and Dashain celebrations.

The holiday is specific to the state and does not automatically apply to all banks across India.

Customers in states where no bank holiday has been declared can generally visit branches during normal business hours.

However, banking holidays are determined by location, and individual branches may follow applicable regional notifications.

Customers should confirm their branch's schedule before planning important transactions.

Bank Holiday October 23: Important Details

Which Banks Will Remain Closed in Sikkim?

The holiday applies to bank branches covered by the relevant state banking holiday notification.

Major banks with branches in Sikkim include:

• State Bank of India (SBI)
• Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Bank of Baroda
• Canara Bank
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank
• Axis Bank

Customers should understand that a bank's branch closure in Sikkim does not mean the same bank will be closed in every other state.

For example, an SBI branch in Sikkim may observe the holiday while an SBI branch in Delhi or another state may remain open.

The RBI holiday calendar follows a location-based system for regional festivals and observances.

Why Are Banks Closed in Sikkim on October 23?

The reported bank holiday is associated with Durga Puja and Dashain, important festivals celebrated in Sikkim and several other parts of India.

Dashain is especially significant among Nepali-speaking communities and is associated with the victory of good over evil.

The festival involves religious observances, family gatherings, blessings from elders and traditional celebrations.

During the festival period, many families visit relatives and participate in cultural and religious activities.

Regional holidays allow employees and residents to observe these occasions.

Will Banks Also Remain Closed on October 24 and 25?

Yes. Under the standard banking holiday arrangement, scheduled commercial bank branches remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

October 24, 2026, falls on the fourth Saturday.

October 25, 2026, is a Sunday.

As a result, regular bank branch services will generally remain unavailable nationwide on both dates.

For customers in Sikkim, this means three consecutive days of branch closures from October 23 through October 25.

Three-Day Bank Closure in Sikkim

Customers with urgent branch-related work should plan accordingly.

October 2026 Bank Holidays: Remaining Dates

Several additional regional holidays are listed in the supplied report for the final days of October.

Note: October 31, 2026, falls on a Saturday, not Wednesday as stated in the source report. Regional holiday entries should be checked against the latest RBI calendar because holidays vary by banking location and applicable notification.

Will Banks Remain Open in Delhi, Mumbai and Other Cities on October 23?

According to the supplied report, the October 23 festival-related closure is limited to Sikkim.

This means regular banking operations are generally expected to continue in other states where no separate holiday has been declared.

For example, customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Lucknow and Patna should check their local branch schedules rather than assuming that all banks are closed.

It is important to distinguish between a national holiday and a state-specific bank holiday.

A festival celebrated in one part of the country does not necessarily result in a bank closure everywhere.

Will UPI Work During the Bank Holiday?

Yes. UPI services generally continue operating during bank holidays.

Customers can usually send money, receive payments and make merchant transactions through supported UPI applications.

Common UPI-based activities include transferring money to family members, paying electricity bills, recharging mobile phones and making purchases.

However, temporary technical issues or bank-level service interruptions may occasionally affect transactions.

Customers should check the transaction status before attempting a repeated payment.

Will ATM Services Remain Available?

ATM services generally remain operational during bank holidays.

Customers can withdraw cash using their debit cards, subject to available balances, withdrawal limits and cash availability at the machine.

However, heavy demand during festival periods may occasionally lead to cash shortages at individual ATMs.

People expecting to need large amounts of cash should make arrangements in advance.

Can Customers Use Internet and Mobile Banking?

Most digital banking services remain available even when physical branches are closed.

Customers can generally access account balances, transfer money and use supported payment services through mobile banking and internet banking.

NEFT is designed to operate around the clock, including holidays, while RTGS and IMPS also support continuous availability under their respective operating arrangements.

However, some banking activities may depend on internal processing schedules or maintenance windows.

Customers should check their bank's instructions for time-sensitive transactions.

What Banking Services May Be Affected?

Although digital services remain available, several activities that require staff assistance may not be possible during a branch holiday.

These include in-person account services, certain documentation procedures, locker access and other branch-dependent transactions.

Cheque clearing may also be affected by the applicable clearing system's operating calendar.

Customers should not assume that every cheque-related process will be completed on a branch holiday.

For urgent requirements, it is advisable to contact the bank beforehand.

How to Check the Official RBI Bank Holiday Calendar

The Reserve Bank of India publishes a location-wise list of bank holidays.

Customers can verify the latest schedule by following these steps:

1. Visit the official RBI website at https://www.rbi.org.in/.
2. Locate the bank holiday calendar.
3. Select October 2026.
4. Choose the relevant banking location or state.
5. Review the listed holidays and applicable details.

Customers can also check their bank's official website, mobile application or customer service channel for branch-specific information.

Important Advice for Bank Customers

People who need to deposit important documents, complete loan formalities or visit a branch for account-related services should check the holiday calendar in advance.

Customers in Sikkim should pay particular attention to the three-day closure from October 23 to October 25.

Those in other states should confirm whether their location has a separate holiday notification.

Digital payments can help with routine transactions, but branch-dependent work may need to be scheduled for the next working day.

Final Word

Banks in Sikkim are reported to remain closed on Friday, October 23, 2026, due to Durga Puja and Dashain.

The holiday is regional rather than nationwide.

Bank branches across India will also remain closed on Saturday, October 24, because it is the fourth Saturday, followed by the regular Sunday holiday on October 25.

Customers in Sikkim should plan for three consecutive days of branch closures, while customers elsewhere should check their local RBI holiday schedule.

UPI, ATMs and most mobile and internet banking services are generally expected to remain available during the holidays.

Disclaimer: Bank holidays vary by location and applicable official notifications. Customers should verify the latest RBI holiday calendar and their bank's branch schedule before visiting.