Bank Holiday Today, October 24, 2026: Customers planning to visit their bank branches today should check the banking holiday calendar before leaving home. Saturday, October 24, 2026, is the fourth Saturday of the month, meaning regular bank branches across India are closed under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) established holiday rules.

The closure applies to scheduled commercial banks, including major public sector and private sector lenders, as part of the regular banking calendar.

Customers of State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and other banks should therefore expect regular branch services to remain unavailable today.

However, a bank holiday does not mean that every financial service stops working. Customers can continue using digital banking facilities, including UPI payments, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs, subject to network availability and scheduled maintenance.

Here is everything bank customers need to know about today's closure, RBI holiday rules and the banking services available during the weekend.

Why Are Banks Closed on October 24, 2026?

October 24 falls on the fourth Saturday of October 2026.

Under the RBI's banking holiday framework, banks observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.

This rule has been in place since September 2015 and applies to regular branch operations across India.

As a result, October 24 is a nationwide scheduled bank holiday rather than a special closure announced for a particular festival or regional event.

Customers who need branch-based services should plan their visits for the next working day.

Since October 25, 2026, is a Sunday, regular bank branches will also remain closed the following day.

In locations without an additional regional holiday, normal branch operations are expected to resume on Monday, October 26, 2026.

RBI Bank Holiday Rules: Which Saturdays Are Working Days?

Many bank customers remain confused about whether banks operate on Saturdays.

According to the standard banking calendar, banks remain open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of a month, provided those dates do not coincide with another applicable holiday.

The second and fourth Saturdays are regular bank holidays.

Here is the Saturday banking schedule for October 2026.

This arrangement helps customers distinguish between regular Saturday closures and state-specific holidays.

Are SBI, PNB, HDFC and ICICI Bank Closed Today?

Regular branches of major public and private sector banks are closed on October 24 because it is the fourth Saturday.

The nationwide Saturday holiday applies to regular branch banking operations at institutions such as:

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

Although standard branch services are unavailable, customers can generally continue accessing digital services offered by these institutions.

Certain specialised banking facilities may operate under separate arrangements, so customers should consult their bank for service-specific information.

Which Banking Services Will Be Unavailable Today?

Customers visiting a regular bank branch on October 24 will generally be unable to complete transactions that require staff assistance.

These may include opening accounts through in-person procedures, submitting physical documents, requesting certain banking certificates and completing transactions requiring branch authorisation.

Over-the-counter cash deposits and withdrawals will also be unavailable at closed branches.

Customers planning to submit loan applications, update account details or resolve service-related complaints in person may need to wait until branches reopen.

Cheque transactions requiring manual handling may also experience delays.

However, the exact impact on cheque clearing and electronic processing depends on the relevant payment system's operating schedule.

Will UPI Payments Work on October 24?

Yes. UPI services are generally available throughout weekends and bank holidays.

Customers can continue using supported UPI applications to transfer money, pay merchants, settle bills and complete everyday transactions.

Popular payment applications such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and BHIM are designed to support electronic transactions beyond normal branch operating hours.

However, transaction success depends on the availability of participating banks, payment networks and application systems.

Temporary outages, security checks or scheduled maintenance can occasionally affect individual transactions.

Customers should avoid repeatedly initiating payments when an earlier transaction shows a pending status. Instead, they should check the payment history and follow the application's recommended dispute or resolution process.

Will ATMs and Cash Withdrawal Services Remain Available?

ATMs generally continue operating during bank holidays.

Customers can use their debit cards to withdraw cash, check account balances and access other supported services.

Some ATMs also offer facilities such as cash deposits, cardless withdrawals or mini statements, depending on the bank and machine.

However, ATM availability can vary due to maintenance, connectivity issues or insufficient cash.

Customers expecting to make large cash withdrawals during the weekend should plan accordingly.

Bank-specific withdrawal limits and applicable ATM transaction charges will continue to apply.

Internet Banking and Mobile Banking Will Remain Accessible

A nationwide branch holiday does not ordinarily affect access to internet banking and mobile banking.

Customers can generally perform several financial activities from their smartphones or computers.

These include checking account balances, reviewing transaction histories, transferring money, paying utility bills and managing eligible deposit accounts.

Electronic fund transfer facilities such as IMPS and UPI are generally available around the clock.

NEFT also operates on a 24-hour basis, including bank holidays, while RTGS is available continuously under the RBI's operating framework, subject to applicable system conditions.

Nevertheless, individual banks may occasionally schedule maintenance that temporarily affects access to certain services.

Regional Bank Holidays Were Also Observed in October

October has included several regional holidays associated with festivals and local observances.

According to the supplied report, Durga Puja-related celebrations resulted in bank holidays in certain states on October 22 and 23, 2026.

Unlike second- and fourth-Saturday closures, regional holidays do not necessarily apply uniformly across India.

A bank branch may remain closed in one state while operating normally in another, depending on the applicable holiday notification.

The RBI publishes region-wise banking holiday information to help customers identify such differences.

Customers can consult the Reserve Bank of India's official website for banking holiday information and related notifications.

When Will Banks Reopen After October 24?

Since October 24 is the fourth Saturday and October 25 is Sunday, regular bank branches will remain closed for two consecutive days.

For most locations, the next regular working day is Monday, October 26, 2026, provided no additional local holiday applies.

Customers planning to visit a branch for cash-related transactions, document submission or other services should confirm the opening schedule with their respective banks.

Those with urgent payment requirements can use digital banking channels where available.

Important Banking Tips During the Weekend

Bank customers can reduce inconvenience by planning branch-dependent activities around the holiday calendar.

People who need physical documents, demand drafts or other services requiring staff assistance should schedule their visits for a working day.

Customers expecting large payments should also verify the applicable transfer limits and processing requirements.

For routine purchases and money transfers, digital banking services can provide a convenient alternative.

It is equally important to remain cautious about banking fraud during holidays.

Customers should never disclose their OTP, ATM PIN, UPI PIN or internet banking password to anyone claiming to offer urgent transaction assistance.

Official banks do not require customers to share confidential credentials to reactivate digital banking services during a holiday.

Final Takeaway

Banks across India are closed for regular branch operations on Saturday, October 24, 2026, because it is the fourth Saturday of the month.

The following day, October 25, is Sunday, meaning most bank customers will experience two consecutive days without standard branch services.

However, UPI payments, ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking and eligible electronic fund transfers will generally remain available.

Regular branch operations are expected to resume on Monday, October 26, wherever no additional regional holiday applies.

Customers should check their bank's official holiday schedule before visiting a branch and use available digital services for urgent transactions during the weekend.

Disclaimer: This article explains the RBI's standard banking holiday framework. Individual branch schedules, regional holidays and availability of specific banking services may vary. Customers should confirm operational details directly with their bank.