If you’re planning any bank-related work in May, it’s important to know when banks will be open and when they’ll be closed.
Here’s a simple and clear breakdown so you don’t get caught off guard.
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How Bank Holidays Work in India
In India, banks follow a fixed weekly schedule.
They remain open on the first and third Saturdays, but stay closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, along with all Sundays.
Apart from these weekly offs, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases a monthly holiday list.
This calendar shows when banks in different regions will be closed due to festivals, local events, or important occasions.
May Starts with a Nationwide Holiday
The month of May begins with a bank holiday across the country.
On May 1 (Friday), banks in all regions will remain closed.
This is because of multiple occasions falling on the same day, including Labour Day, Maharashtra Day, Buddha Purnima, and the birth anniversary of Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
So, no matter where you are in India, banks won’t be open on this day.
Other Important Bank Holidays in May
Apart from May 1, there are a few region-specific holidays you should keep in mind:
May 9: Banks in Kolkata will be closed for Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday.
May 16: Banks in Gangtok will remain shut due to State Day.
May 26: Banks in Agartala will be closed on the occasion of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s birthday.
These holidays are not nationwide, so closures will depend on your city.
Bakrid Holidays May Vary by Region
One of the major holidays in May is Bakrid (Eid al-Adha), but the closure dates differ across regions.
May 27: Banks in many cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and others will remain closed.
May 28: In cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, and Patna, banks will observe the holiday on this day instead.
So, depending on where you live, your bank may be closed either on May 27 or May 28.
Quick Tip: Before visiting your bank, it’s always a good idea to double-check the holiday list for your specific city.
This can save you time and avoid unnecessary trips.