India Banks Closed for Dussehra Vary by State
Most banking institutions across India will stay shut on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, as the nation observes Dussehra and associated festivals. Patrons intending to go to a branch are advised to verify the specific holiday timetable for their area before departing. The Reserve Bank of India’s October holiday roster lists 20 October as a non-working day for celebrations such as Dasara, Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Maha Navami, Ayudha Pooja and Durga Puja, varying by region. The suspension, however, is not uniform throughout all states.
According to a state-by-state compilation of public-sector bank holidays, financial offices will be closed on 20 October in the following jurisdictions: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
Gangtok, Sikkim and Imphal, Manipur do not appear as holiday locations in the RBI calendar for 20 October. Consequently, bank outlets in those cities are expected to remain operational, unless a separate local directive or bank-issued notice states otherwise. Customers should not presume that the same festive break applies nationwide, as regional banking timetables differ.
The day commemorates Dussehra, also referred to as Vijaya Dashami, alongside Maha Navami, Ayudha Puja and Dasara in various parts of the country. In several eastern and north-eastern states, Durga Puja is also part of the observance.
On Monday, 19 October, banks in a number of north-eastern and eastern states as well as Tamil Nadu were closed for Maha Ashtami. Additional suspensions are scheduled for 21 October in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal. The fourth Saturday of the month, 24 October, is declared a holiday across the nation.
Electronic banking channels, such as UPI, mobile-app services and internet banking, generally stay functional during bank holidays. These platforms enable customers to move funds, view balances and settle payments. Nevertheless, any activity that requires a physical branch visit will be unavailable while offices are closed. Individuals with pressing banking needs should contact their institution to learn about alternative options and the expected reopening date. Planned technical upkeep announced separately could also impact digital services, so reviewing the latest bank notices before initiating significant transactions is recommended.
Because state-level lists can differ slightly and the RBI’s schedule may be revised, patrons are encouraged to confirm details with their home branch or on the RBI’s official website prior to visiting for any matters that demand in-person assistance.
