6:00 AM IST, BHIWADI – The Reserve Bank of India has released the January 2026 bank holiday list on December 24, 2025, and like every year, the confusion is not about how many holidays — it’s about where they apply. These holidays do not cover all states, but only specific cities. January does not shut banks across India on the same dates. Some cities see just one or two closures. Others see multiple breaks due to local festivals.
There are 10 holiday dates in January 2026 — but no city gets all 10. At Easemoney, we’re keeping this simple — no over-analysis, no confusion. Just one clear question: after all holidays, weekends, and city-specific rules, how many days will banks actually work in January 2026?
January 2026 Bank Holidays: Date-Wise, City-Wise
| Date | Occasion | Banks Closed In |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 (Thursday) | Happy New Year’s Day | Aizawl, Chennai, Gangtok, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Kolkata, Shillong |
| Jan 2 (Fri) | New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi | Aizawl, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Jan 3 (Sat) | Birthday of Hazrat Ali | Lucknow |
| Jan 12 (Mon) | Swami Vivekananda Jayanti | Kolkata |
| Jan 14 (Wed) | Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu | Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Itanagar |
| Jan 15 (Thursday) | Pongal / Uttarayana / Maghe Sankranti | Bengaluru, Chennai, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Vijayawada |
| Jan 16 (Fri) | Thiruvalluvar Day | Chennai |
| Jan 17 (Sat) | Uzhavar Thirunal | Chennai |
| Jan 23 (Fri) | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti / Saraswati Puja | Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata |
| Jan 26 (Mon) | 🇮🇳 Republic Day | Most major cities across India |
How to read this:
If your city is listed under “Banks Closed”, branches will not work that day.
If not, banks remain open (unless it’s Sunday or a bank 2nd or 4th Saturday).
On working days, banks usually open from 10 AM to 4 PM. There is a lunch in between.
One Small Table That Clears the Confusion
| Type of day | Is the bank open? |
|---|---|
| City-specific RBI holiday | Closed in the listed cities only |
| Sunday | Closed everywhere |
| 2nd & 4th Saturday (Jan 10, Jan 24) | Closed everywhere |
| Normal weekday | Open |
That’s the full logic. No hidden rules.
What This Means for You (Benefits & Catches)
If you mostly use UPI, cards or net banking, in simple terms, you handle most of your work via phone, then January holidays may feel light. Digital services usually continue even when branches are shut.
The catch appears if you depend on physical banking:
- PSU bank visits for small works
- Cash withdrawal via the branch
- Cheque deposits and clearing
- Physical KYC or document updates
- Large-value RTGS done via a branch
Compared to app-first fintech platforms, traditional banks still move strictly on RBI working days — and January reminds you of that early in the year. So, this list will help you to find the correct time and date to visit the branch.
Who Should Actually Use This List
This list is most useful if you:
- Plan branch visits in January
- Handle salary or vendor payments
- Have loan disbursements or documentation due
- Run a business that still relies on counters
If your work needs a bank desk, not an app — this matters.
Now Add the Days RBI Doesn’t List (But Banks Still Close)
RBI does not list Sundays, but banks are always closed on them.
January 2026 also has:
- Second Saturday: Jan 10
- Fourth Saturday: Jan 24
These two Saturdays are bank holidays across India, regardless of city.
Bottom Line
Fun fact: January 2026 has up to 10 RBI-listed holiday dates, but most people won’t feel all of them.
In top cities like Mumbai and Delhi, banks are closed mainly on Republic Day, plus Sundays and the 2nd & 4th Saturdays. That means very few holidays but more crowded branches on working days.
So while the calendar looks relaxed, banking hours in big cities may actually feel busier than normal.
Plan branch visits early. January starts slow on paper, but moves fast on the ground.
You can read this for a better idea full Bank holidays list in 2026 by RBI – RBI Releases 2026 Bank Holiday List – How Many Days Will Banks Be Closed Next Year?
