Bank Holiday October 21, 2026: SBI, PNB and HDFC Banks Closed in These 6 States, Check RBI Holiday List

Bank Holiday October 21, 2026: Planning to visit your bank tomorrow? Before leaving home, check whether bank branches will remain open in your state. According to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) holiday calendar cited in the report, banks will remain closed in six states on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, due to Vijayadashami and Durga Puja celebrations.

The holiday will affect several public and private sector banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank in the designated banking centres.

However, the closure will not apply uniformly across India. Banking holidays vary by state and region, meaning branches in several other parts of the country may operate normally.

Customers who need to deposit cash, complete documentation, visit a bank branch or carry out other in-person transactions should check the holiday schedule before planning their visit.

Bank Holiday October 21: Which States Will Have Closed Banks?

According to the October 20 report, bank branches will remain closed on Wednesday, October 21, in six states because of Vijayadashami and Durga Puja.

The affected states are:

1. Assam

2. Karnataka

3. Kerala

4. Sikkim

5. Tripura

6. West Bengal

The reported holiday applies to designated banking centres in these states.

Customers should confirm the status of their particular branch, as RBI holidays are notified according to banking centres rather than always applying to every location in a state.

Will SBI, PNB, HDFC and ICICI Banks Remain Closed Tomorrow?

Yes, branches of major public and private sector banks in the notified holiday locations are generally expected to remain closed on October 21.

These include SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.

However, bank branches outside the notified locations may remain operational.

For example, a customer living in a state where October 21 is not a notified banking holiday may still be able to visit their bank during normal working hours.

Customers should check their bank's official branch information or local holiday notice for confirmation.

Why Are Banks Closed on October 21, 2026?

The October 21 bank holiday is associated with Vijayadashami and Durga Puja.

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is one of India's major festivals. It symbolises the victory of good over evil.

According to the Ramayana tradition, the festival commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.

In many parts of northern India, Dussehra is celebrated with Ramleela performances and the burning of Ravana effigies.

In other regions, Vijayadashami is associated with Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.

Durga Puja is particularly significant in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, where elaborate pandals, cultural events and religious ceremonies form an important part of the celebrations.

Because different states observe these festivals according to regional traditions, bank holidays may fall on different dates.

Banks Closed in Several States on October 20 Too

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, is also listed as a bank holiday in numerous banking centres because of Dussehra, Vijayadashami, Mahanavami, Ayudha Puja and Durga Puja.

The supplied report mentions closures affecting locations in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh, among others.

This means customers in some regions may experience consecutive days of branch closures during the festive period.

However, not every banking centre follows the same holiday schedule.

Bank Holidays October 2026: Check Remaining Holiday Calendar

Several regional holidays and regular weekly closures are scheduled during the remaining days of October.

The following table summarises the dates mentioned in the report.

These dates reflect the supplied holiday report. Customers should refer to the official RBI holiday calendar for their banking centre before making arrangements.

Are Banks Closed on October 24 and 25?

Yes. October 24, 2026, is the fourth Saturday of the month, while October 25 is Sunday.

Under the regular banking holiday system, scheduled commercial bank branches generally remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Branches also remain closed on Sundays.

Therefore, customers should plan branch-related activities accordingly, especially if they are also affected by regional holidays earlier in the week.

Will UPI, ATM and Online Banking Work on October 21?

Bank branch closures do not mean that all banking services become unavailable.

Most digital banking facilities are expected to remain accessible during holidays, subject to normal system availability.

Customers can generally continue using UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs.

Customers should remember that occasional technical problems, maintenance activities or cash shortages may affect individual services.

Will Cheque Clearing Be Affected?

Cheque processing and other branch-dependent banking activities may be affected by regional holidays.

Customers who have issued or deposited cheques should check the applicable clearing schedule.

A holiday at a particular banking centre may affect the timing of branch processing or related services.

For urgent transactions, digital payment options may be more convenient when supported by the bank and payment system.

However, customers should verify transaction limits and processing conditions before transferring large amounts.

What Should Customers Do Before Visiting a Bank?

Customers planning branch visits should check the latest holiday notice issued by their bank.

Those needing services such as cash deposits, demand drafts, document verification or account-related assistance may need to visit on the next working day.

Customers can also use their bank's official mobile application or customer support channels to determine whether a particular service can be completed online.

For time-sensitive financial transactions, it is advisable to complete the necessary formalities in advance rather than waiting until the holiday.

Bank Holiday October 21, 2026: Final Update

Banks are scheduled to remain closed in designated banking centres across Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, due to Vijayadashami and Durga Puja.

The holiday affects major public and private sector banks operating in these locations, but it is not a nationwide bank closure.

Additional regional holidays are scheduled later in October, followed by the regular fourth-Saturday and Sunday closures on October 24 and 25.

Customers should verify their local branch holiday schedule before visiting. UPI, ATM, internet banking and mobile banking services are generally expected to remain available even when physical bank branches are closed.