Bank Holidays in January 2026
A Complete Financial Planning Calendar for Government Employees
Plan your salary, loan EMIs, and important banking work in January 2026. Here is the full state-wise RBI holiday list and smart digital banking tips for government staff. Read all the Article to know about Bank Holidays in January 2026.
According to the RBI calendar, banks will be closed for up to 16 days across different Indian states in January 2026. For government employees, this impacts salary credits, loan planning, and financial management. Get the complete state-wise list and learn how to use digital banking seamlessly.
Table of Contents
January 2026 Bank Holiday Calendar: An Overview
The new year begins with a relatively busy banking calendar. As per the schedule released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), there will be a total of 16 days in January 2026 when banking operations will be affected across various parts of the country (Bhaskar, 2026). This includes weekly closures (4 Sundays and 2 Saturdays), along with 10 public and cultural holidays observed in different states (Bhaskar, 2026). It’s crucial to remember that not all holidays are pan-India. Closures are determined by local festivals and traditions (Livemint, 2026).
Visual Idea: An infographic of the January 2026 calendar with all holiday dates highlighted, using different colours to denote national, state-specific, and weekly holidays.
State-Wise Breakdown: Check Your City’s Holidays
The RBI categorizes holidays under ‘Holiday Closure’, ‘Optional Closure’, and ‘Weekly Off’. Below is a list of key bank holidays in January 2026, compiled from RBI notifications and media reports (Livemint, 2026).
Key Bank Holidays in January 2026 (Date-wise):
| Date | Day | Occasion | Affected Regions (Major) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day / Gaan-Ngai | Most states, especially Manipur |
| 2 January | Friday | New Year Celebration / Mannam Jayanthi | Select states (e.g., Tamil Nadu) |
| 3 January | Saturday | Birthday of Hazrat Ali | Select centres (e.g., parts of Lucknow, Hyderabad) |
| 12 January | Monday | Swami Vivekananda Jayanti | Limited impact in some states |
| 14 January | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu | West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, etc. |
| 15 January | Thursday | Pongal / Uttarayan / Sankranti | Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| 16 January | Friday | Thiruvalluvar Day | Tamil Nadu |
| 17 January | Saturday | Uzhavar Thirunal (Farmers’ Day) | Tamil Nadu |
| 23 January | Friday | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand |
| 26 January | Monday | Republic Day | Nationwide |
Special Guide for Government Employees: Salary, Loans & Planning
For government employees, particularly those in the 20-50 age group who are planning for any type of loan (Home, Personal, Car), this calendar becomes even more significant.
Salary Credits & Loan EMIs: January is often a month of financial adjustments. Remember, if your salary deposit or loan EMI date falls on a bank holiday, the transaction will occur on the next working day. This can affect your cash flow planning. Checking your balance via digital banking is advisable in such cases.
Loan Application Timelines: If you are planning to apply for a loan after the anticipated hike from the 8th Pay Commission, choose open bank days strategically for document submission and processing. The period before a long weekend (like 23rd-26th January) can be busy.
Financial Discipline: Regular salary payments help government employees maintain a stable credit score, which is key to securing favorable interest rates on any loan. (Calculate Loan) Use digital tools to avoid inconvenience caused by bank closures.
Banking on a Holiday: Your Digital Solutions
The good news is that a physical bank closure does not mean a complete halt to banking services. The RBI encourages digital transactions (Livemint, 2026). You can continue to use the following services 24×7:
Fund Transfers: Channels like UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay, etc.), IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS remain fully operational (Bhaskar, 2026). Use RTGS or NEFT for large, urgent payments.
Cash Withdrawal: ATMs remain fully functional. However, ensure ATM cash availability before a long weekend.
Other Services: Via Internet Banking and Mobile Banking Apps, you can pay bills, open fixed deposits, check balances, download statements, and even apply for loans.
Only transactions requiring physical presence—such as cash deposits (above a certain limit), demand draft issuance, locker access, or specific documentation—will be postponed to the next working day.
Future Planning: A Look at the Year Ahead
Like January, the entire year of 2026 will feature over 100 bank holidays (Livemint, 2026). Major festivals like Holi, Good Friday, Eid, Dussehra, and Diwali will see bank closures in the coming months. As a government employee, it is wise to mark these holidays in your annual financial calendar, especially if you are planning for savings goals, tax-saving investments (80C), or a major purchase.
Conclusion: Plan Smart, Bank Smart
The January 2026 bank holiday calendar is a reminder that modern banking extends far beyond physical branches. As an informed and tech-savvy customer, you can view these holidays not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to reorganise your finances digitally. This is especially valuable for government employees, whose financial journey relies on regularity and long-term planning.
Call-to-Action:
Prepare: Save the table in this article or mark the January holidays in your personal calendar.
Go Digital: If you haven’t already, activate and practice using your bank’s mobile app and net banking services.
Plan Ahead: Schedule any major banking work for January (like loan applications, FD renewals) according to the open days.
Verify: Before any critical work, always call your local bank branch to confirm the holiday status.
Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I apply for a loan through Densi Associates?
Banking operations will be affected for a total of 16 days in January 2026. This includes 4 Sundays, 2 Saturdays (the 2nd and 4th), and 10 public/cultural holidays observed across different states.
Is Republic Day (26th Jan) a nationwide bank holiday?
Yes. 26th January 2026, Republic Day, is a compulsory nationwide bank holiday. All bank branches will remain closed across India.
Will my salary be delayed if the credit date is a bank holiday?
Typically, yes, it will be delayed by one working day. If your organization’s salary processing date falls on a bank holiday, the funds will be credited to your account on the next immediate working day. It’s advisable to plan your cash flow accordingly.
I have a loan EMI due on a holiday. What happens?
Your bank will automatically debit the EMI on the next working day. To avoid any potential issues with your account balance, ensure sufficient funds are available for at least 1-2 days after the scheduled due date.
Can I apply for a loan when banks are physically closed?
Absolutely. You can initiate the process online. Most banks allow you to start a loan application, check eligibility, and even upload documents via their internet banking portal or mobile app 24/7, even on holidays.
Which states have the most holidays in January 2026?
Tamil Nadu observes several state-specific holidays including Pongal (Jan 15), Thiruvalluvar Day (Jan 16), and Uzhavar Thirunal (Jan 17). Other states with multiple holidays include West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Gujarat, and Manipur.
What banking services are fully available on a holiday?
You can use digital services without interruption: UPI/IMPS/NEFT/RTGS transfers, ATM cash withdrawals, mobile/internet banking for bill payments, balance checks, and investments. Only branch-specific services (e.g., cash deposits, demand drafts, locker access) are unavailable.
As a govt employee, how should I plan for the 8th Pay Commission hike with these holidays?
Use the holiday calendar to schedule any post-hike financial actions. If you plan to apply for a larger loan based on your new salary, gather documents on open days. Avoid planning major in-branch work for dates around long weekends (e.g., Jan 23-26).
Where can I get the official and confirmed holiday list for my city?
The most reliable source is your bank’s official website or branch notice board. The RBI issues a broad calendar, but final notifications are made by local/state authorities, which individual banks follow.
How can I ensure my financial plans aren’t disrupted by these closures?
1. Mark all holidays on your calendar.
2. Set reminders for bill payments/EMIs due around holidays.
3. Complete any branch-required work in advance.
4. Embrace digital banking for routine transactions.
5. Plan your month’s cash flow considering possible salary/EMI delays.
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