Upcoming Bank Holidays: Durga Puja and Dussehra to Bring Up to 5 Consecutive Days of Closures in Some Regions

As the festive season of Durga Puja and Dussehra approaches, several parts of the country are set to observe extended bank holidays next week. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday schedule, many public and private sector banks will remain closed on different dates depending on regional celebrations. While physical branches will be shut, digital services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking, and ATMs will continue to operate. Customers, however, are advised to plan cash withdrawals in advance, as ATMs in some areas may run out of cash during the long break.

Multiple Holidays Across States

The upcoming week starting 29 September will witness a cluster of festivals including Maha Saptami, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Dussehra (Vijayadashami). These celebrations will lead to consecutive bank closures in many states. Some regions could experience four to five days of continuous holidays, making it crucial for customers to complete banking tasks beforehand.

Here’s a detailed state-wise list of bank holidays for the week:

• 29 September (Sunday) – Maha Saptami/Durga Puja: Banks will remain closed in Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal.

• 30 September (Monday) – Maha Ashtami/Durga Puja: Banks will be closed in Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

• 1 October (Tuesday) – Maha Navami/Dussehra/Ayudha Puja/Durga Puja: Holidays will be observed in Tripura, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya.

• 2 October (Wednesday) – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti/Dussehra/Durga Puja: This is a nationwide bank holiday, with all banks across the country remaining closed.

• 3 October (Thursday) – Durga Puja: Banks will be closed in Sikkim.

• 4 October (Friday) – Durga Puja: Sikkim will again observe a holiday.

• 5 October (Sunday) – Weekly closure across all states.

This schedule means that in certain parts of the country, banks will stay shut for up to five consecutive days, particularly where local holidays coincide with the regular weekly off.

Digital Banking to Remain Unaffected

While physical bank branches will not operate on these dates, customers can still perform essential transactions through UPI, internet banking, and mobile apps. ATMs will also remain functional, though cash availability might vary due to increased demand during the festive break.

Plan Your Banking Activities Early

If you need to carry out urgent banking tasks—such as cheque clearance, branch visits, or cash deposits—it is advisable to complete them before the holiday period begins. Businesses and individuals should also account for possible delays in interbank services like cheque settlements or RTGS/NEFT transfers.

With Durga Puja and Dussehra bringing an extended festive atmosphere across the country, staying informed about the bank holiday schedule will help you avoid last-minute hassles