Bhai Dooj 2025 Bank Holiday: Which states have banks shut today? RBI list for October 23

Confused about whether banks are open today? As India celebrates Bhai Dooj and other regional festivals, several states have declared October 23 a bank holiday. Here’s the complete RBI state-wise list, upcoming closures, and how to check your local branch status.

NEW DELHI: With the festive season in full swing, banks across several Indian states remain closed today (Thursday, October 23) on account of Bhai Dooj and other regional observances, including Chitragupt Jayanti, Laxmi Puja (Deepawali), Bhratridwitiya, and Ningol Chakkouba.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banks in Gujarat, Sikkim, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh will not operate today due to these festivities. Customers are advised to plan their financial tasks accordingly to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

Why Banks Are Closed Today?

Bank holidays in India are regulated by the RBI under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, in coordination with state governments. These holidays differ from state to state, reflecting the country’s cultural diversity.

Today’s closure primarily marks Bhai Dooj—also known as Bhai Bij or Bhratridwitiya—a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, observed two days after Diwali. Other regions are observing Chitragupt Jayanti and Ningol Chakkouba, local celebrations of equal significance.

However, while physical branches are shut, digital banking channels such as ATMs, internet banking, UPI, and mobile apps remain fully functional across India, allowing customers to carry out essential transactions without disruption.

With branches closed, services such as cash deposits, cheque clearances, demand drafts, locker access, account updates, and in-person customer service will be temporarily unavailable.

However, electronic payments and fund transfers — including IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS — continue to operate normally through online platforms.

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When Will Banks Reopen?

Banks are scheduled to resume in-branch operations on Friday, October 24, across all states.

However, customers should note that October 25 (Saturday) marks the fourth Saturday of the month, followed by Sunday, October 26, meaning banks will again remain closed for the weekend.

This results in a four-day window of limited in-branch banking services for many states, especially those observing today’s holiday.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in October 2025

October continues to be one of the busiest festive months for Indian banks. According to the RBI calendar, banks will remain closed on up to 21 days in total this month, including weekends. Of these, around 13 holidays fall on weekdays, while the rest coincide with weekends.

Here’s what remains for October:

• October 25: Fourth Saturday (nationwide closure)
• October 26: Sunday (weekly holiday)
• October 27: Chhath Puja (Evening Arghya) in Kolkata, Patna, and Ranchi
• October 28: Chhath Puja (Morning Arghya) in Patna and Ranchi
• October 31: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti — holiday in Ahmedabad

Customers should confirm holiday details with their nearest branch as local holidays may vary by city and not all states observe the same festivals.

How to Check If Your Bank Is Open Today?

To verify whether your local bank branch is open, customers can:

1. Visit the RBI official website and check the “Holidays under Negotiable Instruments Act” section.
2. Use the bank’s mobile app or website, where notifications of branch closures are usually posted.
3. Call customer care or use Google Maps to confirm operational status for your specific branch location.