Bank Holiday Today: Bank branches in many states and Union Territories will remain closed on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, due to Eid-e-Milad (Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad). But banks will continue to work normally in many other parts of the country.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has a state- and centre-specific holiday calendar so a bank holiday in one state doesn’t mean branches throughout the country will be closed. The RBI’s official banking information also mentions that bank holidays can be linked to regional and state-specific observances.
August 26 is Eid-e-Milad in some places. In Kerala, the date also coincides with Thiruvonam, the main day of the Onam festival.
Where are banks closed today?
According to the holiday schedule for August 26, bank branches are closed in the following states and regions:
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Madhya Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttarakhand
- Telangana
- Manipur
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Uttar Pradesh
- Kerala
- Delhi
- Bihar
- Chhattisgarh
- Jharkhand
- Andhra Pradesh
The corresponding RBI centres are Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram and Vijayawada.
Bank holidays are location-specific, and customers should check with their local branch before visiting. A bank branch in a city might give the holiday for its regional centre.
Where Are Banks Open on August 26?
Banks are not marked for an August 26 holiday at several RBI centres, including:
- Ahmedabad
- Agartala
- Aizawl
- Bhubaneswar
- Chandigarh
- Gangtok
- Guwahati
- Itanagar
- Jaipur
- Kohima
- Kolkata
- Panaji
- Shillong
- Shimla
Therefore, branches in these locations should generally be operated according to their normal Wednesday schedule, subject to any local or bank-specific arrangements.
Why are banks closed on August 26?
Eid-e-Milad (or Milad-un-Nabi or Mawlid) is the day of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and is celebrated in the Islamic month of Rabi' al-Awwal. In any case, according to religious tradition and local calendar, the date and local observance can be different.
In states where August 26 has been designated as a bank holiday, physical branches will not provide regular counter services.
Kerala has a special festive significance on this date as Thiruvonam is celebrated on the 10th day of Onam. Onam is celebrated with pookalams and traditional Onasadya feasts for family and cultural celebration.
Will UPI and online banking work today?
Yes. A physical bank branch being closed does not necessarily mean digital banking services will stop working.
Customers can continue to use services like:
- UPI payments,
- mobile banking,
- internet banking,
- ATM withdrawals,
- debit and credit card payments,
- fund transfers through digital channels,
- balance and transaction enquiries.
However, branch-based services may not be in place on a bank holiday. That includes cash deposits or withdrawals at the counter, passbook updates, some cheque-related services and other requests that require in-person assistance.
Customers planning a branch visit for an important transaction should check the holiday status of the branch in advance.
What about NEFT, RTGS and other digital transactions?
Digital payment systems are designed to operate beyond normal branch working hours; however, individual transaction processing, bank maintenance windows or specific service rules can affect certain transactions.
UPI and card payments are still useful for routine transactions when branches are closed. But customers should make sure their mobile banking applications, payment methods and account access are working before they rely on them for urgent payments.
Bank Holidays Are State-Specific
India's bank holiday calendar is not uniform across every state. Regional festivals, public holidays and local observances can result in branches being closed in one state but open in another.
The RBI's official website provides a dedicated Bank Holidays section for checking applicable holidays.
This is especially important for customers with accounts with banks operating in multiple states. The branch where the customer needs to complete an in-person transaction may follow the holiday calendar applicable to its location.
Are banks closed on August 26 in Karnataka?
Yes. Bengaluru is among RBI centres listed for a bank holiday on August 26. So, bank branches in Karnataka that observe the applicable regional holiday will be closed today.
Customers in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka who need branch-based services should plan their visit for the next working day or confirm directly with their bank.
What should customers do today?
If your local branch is closed, routine banking can still be carried out through digital channels. Customers can use UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs for many everyday transactions.
As for the services that require physical documentation or counter assistance, it is advisable to contact the bank or visit the branch on its next working day.
In short, banks are closed on August 26 in several states for Eid-e-Milad, while branches in many other regions remain open. Digital banking services continue to provide access to most routine transactions even when physical branches are shut.
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