If you’re thinking of heading to the bank this week, pause for a moment and check the holiday schedule first. Bank closures in India aren’t the same everywhere—what’s open in one state could very well be shut in another, especially around festivals. With Ram Navmi being observed this week, several states will see bank holidays spread across two days.
Where banks will be closed on March 26
On March 26, banks will remain shut in a wide range of states to mark Shree Ram Navami. These include Mizoram, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Major cities such as Mumbai and Nagpur will also see bank branches closed for the day.
March 27 closures in select states
The holiday extends into March 27 in some regions, where Ram Navmi is observed as Chaite Dasain. On this day, banks will remain closed in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.
Another key holiday at month-end
There’s another important date to keep in mind before March wraps up. On March 31, banks across several states will remain closed for Mahavir Janmakalyanak, widely known as Mahavir Jayanti. States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand will observe this holiday.
Alongside these festival-related closures, banks will also remain shut on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, in line with RBI norms.
What this means for customers
With multiple holidays falling in the same week, it’s better to plan ahead rather than get caught off guard. If you have work that requires a visit to the branch, like depositing large sums of cash, processing cheques, or getting a demand draft—it’s wise to get it done before the holidays begin.
That said, not everything comes to a halt. Online banking services, mobile apps, ATMs, and UPI platforms will continue to function as usual. You’ll still be able to transfer money, pay bills, and handle most routine transactions without stepping out.
In short, while bank branches may take a break for the festivities, digital banking will keep things running, so plan smart and avoid last-minute rush.
