Why Banks are Closed on first Saturday

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Banks in India do not operate on national holidays, and they also remain closed on certain regional holidays depending on the state.

While national holidays apply across the country, state-specific holidays can differ, often catching customers off guard.

Many people delay important bank work to Saturdays due to busy weekdays.

However, it’s important to remember that banks are closed every Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Today is the first Saturday, so banks are open in most states—except Uttar Pradesh.

Why Are Banks Closed in Uttar Pradesh Today?

Banks in Uttar Pradesh are closed today due to Hazrat Ali’s birth anniversary.

If you live in UP and were planning a bank visit, it’s better to reschedule your work for another day.

Apart from this, banks also observe closures on various occasions such as Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birthday, Saraswati Puja, and Republic Day.

These holidays vary from state to state, so it’s always wise to check the local holiday list in advance.

Bank Holidays in January 2026: State-wise List

Here is a quick look at major bank holidays in January 2026:

January 12: West Bengal – Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary

January 14: Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh – Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu

January 15: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh – Pongal, Uttarayan Punyakaal, Maghe Sankranti

January 16: Tamil Nadu – Thiruvalluvar Day

January 17: Tamil Nadu – Uzhavar Thirunal

January 23: Tripura, Odisha, West Bengal – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, Saraswati Puja, Basant Panchami

January 26: All states – Republic Day

Use Online Banking to Avoid Hassle

Knowing bank holidays in advance helps you plan better and avoid unnecessary trips.

Even when bank branches are closed, most digital services continue to work normally.

Customers can still use internet banking, mobile apps, UPI, and ATMs for fund transfers, bill payments, and other daily transactions.

However, services like cheque clearance, large cash deposits, and demand drafts require a branch visit and won’t be available on holidays.

To avoid inconvenience, plan branch-related work ahead of time and rely on digital banking during bank closures.

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