Planning a bank visit at the beginning of 2026? You may want to pause and check the RBI bank holiday list for January 2026 before stepping out. With New Year’s Day falling on a Thursday, January 1, 2026, it is quite confusing if there is a bank holiday on New Year’s 2026.
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banks will remain closed in several states on New Year’s Day, while branches in other parts of the country will function normally. Since bank holidays in India are state-specific, the closure will not be the same for all the states. In fact, January 2026 bank holidays could add up to 10-12 non-working days in some states when weekends and regional festivals are included.
Is there a bank holiday on January 1, 2026? What the RBI Calendar Says
Yes, January 1, 2026, is a bank holiday in some states, as per the RBI bank holiday list. The day is observed as New Year’s Day and the Gaan-Ngai festival in certain regions, due to which bank branches will remain closed under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
However, it is important to note that the January 1 bank holiday in 2026 is not applicable across India, and customers in many states will still be able to access branch services.
States Where Banks Will Be Closed on New Year’s Day 2026
As per official details, banks will remain closed on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in the following states:
Mizoram
Tamil Nadu
Sikkim
Manipur
Arunachal Pradesh
Nagaland
West Bengal
Meghalaya
In these states, the bank holiday on New Year’s Day, January 2026, applies due to regional observances and festivals.
Are Banks Open in Other States on January 1, 2026?
Yes. Banks will remain open on January 1, 2026, in states where New Year’s Day is not listed as a bank holiday. Customers are advised to verify with their local branch or check the RBI bank holiday January 2026 state-wise list to avoid inconvenience.
This is especially important for those planning cash withdrawals, cheque deposits, loan-related paperwork or KYC-related visits.
Will UPI and online banking work on bank holidays in January 2026?
Yes. Even on bank holidays in January 2026, digital services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking, and ATM services will continue to function normally. Customers can carry out fund transfers, bill payments and online transactions without interruption. However, branch-dependent services like cheque clearance, cash deposits, passbook updates and documentation-related services may be delayed during bank holidays.
If you have urgent banking work, it is advisable to complete branch visits before New Year’s Day or rely on digital banking options. Customers using cheque-based transactions should keep in mind that the bank holiday on January 1, 2026, may affect settlement timelines.
