Bank Holidays October 17-25 will affect customers of SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and other lenders, with regional festivals and scheduled weekend closures disrupting branch operations in several parts of India.
The holiday period includes Durga Puja, Vijaya Dashami, Maha Saptami and the fourth Saturday and Sunday of the month.
However, banks will not remain closed for nine consecutive days across the entire country.
The dates of festival-related holidays vary by state and city, so customers should check their local branch calendar before visiting a bank.
Bank Holidays October 17-25: Important Dates
The holiday schedule between October 17 and October 25 includes regional festival closures as well as regular weekend holidays. Here are the key dates customers should know.
October 17, Saturday: Bank branches in Agartala will remain closed for Maha Saptami. In other locations, branches may operate normally because this is the third Saturday of the month, subject to local holidays.
October 18, Sunday: Banks across India will remain closed for the weekly holiday.
October 19, Monday: Several cities will observe holidays for Durga Puja, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, Ayudha Puja or related celebrations.
The affected locations include Agartala, Aizawl, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Patna, Ranchi and Shillong.
October 20, Tuesday: Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami-related holidays will affect numerous banking centres.
Customers should consult the Reserve Bank of India’s city-wise calendar because the exact coverage differs by location.
October 21, Wednesday: Vijaya Dashami and Durga Puja-related closures are scheduled in locations including Agartala, Bengaluru, Gangtok, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram.
October 22 and 23, Thursday and Friday: Durga Puja or Dasain holidays will affect Gangtok, Sikkim, on both days.
October 24, Saturday: Banks across India will remain closed because it is the fourth Saturday of the month.
October 25, Sunday: All bank branches will remain closed for the weekly holiday.
Why SBI, HDFC and ICICI Branches May Be Closed
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) determines bank holidays according to national observances, regional festivals and applicable banking rules.
As a result, a holiday in one city does not necessarily mean that branches of the same bank will close in every state.
Public and private sector banks, including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Punjab National Bank, follow the applicable holiday schedule for their respective locations.
Customers who need to visit a branch for cash deposits, cheque-related work or other in-person services should verify local timings in advance.
The period also includes the fourth Saturday on October 24 and Sunday on October 25, when bank branches nationwide will be closed.
These scheduled weekend closures are separate from the regional festival holidays observed earlier in the week.
Will UPI, ATMs and Online Banking Work?
Although physical branches may remain closed, customers can generally continue to use digital banking facilities during bank holidays.
Internet banking, mobile banking and UPI services are usually available for transfers, bill payments and other supported transactions.
ATMs are also generally operational, although cash availability may vary by location. Customers should not assume that every branch-based service or cheque-clearing process will be completed immediately during a holiday period.
NEFT and RTGS transfers are generally available through the banking system’s prescribed operating arrangements, but customers should check their bank’s service notices for any specific restrictions or processing delays.
How to Check Your Local Bank Holiday
Before travelling to a branch, customers should consult the RBI holiday calendar or their bank’s official website and mobile application.
Checking the city rather than relying on a nationwide holiday headline is particularly important during major festivals.
Customers with urgent payments, cheque deposits or documentation requirements should plan ahead and complete branch-dependent work before the relevant closure.
Digital alternatives may help with routine transactions, but not every service can be completed online.
The key point is that October 17-25 is a period of multiple bank holidays, not a continuous nine-day closure for every Indian city.
Checking the local schedule can help customers avoid unnecessary trips and plan their banking activities accordingly.
