Bank Holidays October 2026: Customers planning to visit their bank branches this week should check the holiday calendar before leaving home. With Dussehra, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami celebrations taking place in different parts of India, bank branches in several states are scheduled to remain closed on selected dates.

According to the October 20, 2026 report, banks in six states—Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal—will remain closed on Wednesday, October 21, for festival-related holidays.

The closures apply to bank branches in the relevant locations, including those operated by major public-sector and private-sector banks.

However, this does not mean that banks across India will remain closed on October 21 or for six consecutive days.

Bank holidays are determined according to the Reserve Bank of India's location-specific holiday calendar. A bank branch may remain closed in one state while branches of the same bank operate normally elsewhere.

Here is what customers should know about the October 21 bank holiday, affected states, banking services and upcoming weekend closures.

Bank Holiday October 21, 2026: Which States Are Affected?

The reported bank holiday on October 21 is associated with Durga Puja, Dussehra and Vijayadashami celebrations.

According to the supplied report, bank branches in the following six states are scheduled to remain closed.

The table reflects the states identified in the report. Customers should verify the exact holiday classification for their banking centre through the RBI's official holiday calendar.

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

The October 21 holiday is not limited to one particular banking institution.

Where the holiday applies, branches of major public-sector and private-sector banks will generally observe the relevant closure.

These may include:

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

However, the closure depends on the branch's location.

For example, an SBI branch in a city observing the October 21 bank holiday may remain closed, while an SBI branch in another state may operate normally.

Customers should therefore check their specific branch rather than assuming that every branch of a particular bank will be closed nationwide.

Are Banks Closed Across India on October 21?

No nationwide bank closure has been established for October 21 in the supplied report.

India's banking holiday system includes national holidays, regular weekend closures and regional holidays.

Regional holidays may apply only to specific states or banking centres.

This means that the same festival can result in different bank holiday arrangements across the country.

For example, Durga Puja celebrations are particularly significant in West Bengal and Tripura, while Dussehra and Vijayadashami are observed in various forms across several other states.

The applicable holiday dates may therefore differ.

Customers in states not included in the reported October 21 closure list should still check their local branch calendar before visiting.

Are Banks Closed for the Next Six Days?

The headline referring to closures over the next six days should not be interpreted as a nationwide six-day banking shutdown.

The supplied report specifically identifies October 21 as a festival holiday in six states.

It does not establish that every bank in those states will remain closed continuously for six days.

During a festive week, different locations may observe holidays on different dates.

Additionally, regular weekend closures can affect branch operations.

For example, the fourth Saturday of October 2026 falls on October 24, followed by Sunday, October 25.

These are regular scheduled bank holidays across India.

Customers should distinguish between festival-related closures and the usual weekend holiday schedule.

Bank Holidays From October 20 to October 25, 2026

This is a planning overview, not a complete state-by-state RBI holiday list for the period.

The supplied report does not provide sufficient information to confirm every regional holiday between October 20 and October 25.

Why Are Banks Closed During Durga Puja and Dussehra?

Durga Puja and Dussehra are among the important festivals celebrated across India.

Durga Puja is particularly significant in West Bengal, Tripura and several other regions.

The festival is associated with worship of Goddess Durga and celebrations that take place over multiple days.

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is celebrated in different ways across the country.

In many regions, the festival symbolises the victory of good over evil.

Because the festivals are observed according to regional traditions, the holiday calendar can vary between states.

The RBI's banking holiday schedule reflects these regional differences.

Which Banking Services May Be Unavailable?

When a bank branch is closed for a holiday, customers generally cannot access services that require an in-person visit.

These may include cash transactions at branch counters, certain document submissions, passbook-related services and other activities requiring bank employees.

Customers may also need to postpone requests involving physical verification or paperwork.

However, not every banking service stops during a holiday.

Digital banking facilities generally continue operating.

Will UPI, ATM and Net Banking Work on Bank Holidays?

Customers can generally continue using several digital banking services even when bank branches are closed.

UPI payments: Customers can usually send and receive money through supported UPI applications.

Mobile banking: Account holders can generally check balances, view transactions and use supported services through their bank's mobile application.

Internet banking: Online fund transfers and account-related services usually remain available.

ATMs: Cash withdrawal facilities generally continue operating, subject to cash availability and technical conditions.

IMPS: Immediate Payment Service transactions generally remain available around the clock.

NEFT and RTGS: These payment systems ordinarily operate on a 24-hour basis, including bank holidays, subject to applicable system and bank availability.

However, services involving manual branch processing may be completed only when the relevant branch resumes operations.

What Should Customers Do Before Visiting a Bank?

Customers planning banking work during the festive period should verify their branch's operating schedule.

The most reliable approach is to consult the RBI holiday calendar for the relevant banking centre.

Customers can also check official bank announcements or contact their branch directly.

If a transaction requires physical documents or branch assistance, it may be better to complete the work before the holiday or schedule it for the next working day.

People who need cash should also consider ATM availability and withdrawal limits.

For routine payments, digital banking may provide a convenient alternative.

How to Check the RBI Bank Holiday Calendar

The Reserve Bank of India publishes holiday information for different banking centres.

Customers can check the applicable schedule by following these steps:

1. Visit the official RBI website.
2. Find the bank holiday calendar section.
3. Select October 2026.
4. Choose the relevant state or banking centre, where applicable.
5. Review the listed holidays and their dates.
6. Confirm the branch's operating status if any uncertainty remains.

This is particularly important for customers travelling between states, as a bank holiday in one location may not apply elsewhere.

Bank Holidays October 2026: Final Update

Bank branches in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal are reported to remain closed on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, due to Durga Puja, Dussehra and Vijayadashami celebrations.

Major banks, including SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank, may observe the holiday at their branches in the affected locations.

Regular banking closures will also apply on the fourth Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25.

Customers should remember that the October 21 holiday is location-specific, not a nationwide six-day bank shutdown. Before visiting a branch, check the RBI holiday calendar and your bank's official schedule.