Bank Holiday October 23, 2026: Banks to Remain Closed in Sikkim on Friday; Check RBI Holiday Rules

Bank Holiday October 23, 2026: Bank customers planning to visit a branch on Friday, October 23, should check the holiday calendar before leaving home. Banks in Gangtok, Sikkim, are scheduled to remain closed on Friday on account of the Durga Puja festival, according to the reported Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday schedule.

The closure is part of a series of festival-related banking holidays in Sikkim. Bank branches in Gangtok were also scheduled to remain closed on October 21 and 22 for Vijayadashami and Durga Puja-related observances.

The October 23 holiday is particularly important because it will be followed by the fourth Saturday of the month on October 24 and Sunday on October 25.

As a result, customers in Gangtok could face five consecutive days without regular branch banking services, from October 21 through October 25.

However, the October 23 holiday is not a nationwide bank holiday.

Bank branches in other states may operate normally unless a separate regional holiday applies.

Digital banking services, including UPI, mobile banking and internet banking, are generally expected to remain available during the branch closures.

Here is a detailed look at the October 23 bank holiday, the upcoming weekend closures and the services customers can continue using.

Are Banks Closed on Friday, October 23, 2026?

According to the reported RBI holiday calendar, bank branches in Gangtok will remain closed on Friday, October 23, 2026, for Durga Puja-related celebrations.

The holiday applies to bank branches covered by the relevant regional holiday notification.

Customers in other parts of India should not assume that banks will also be closed in their cities.

The RBI's bank holiday schedule includes both nationwide holidays and regional observances.

Regional holidays vary depending on the state, city and applicable banking holiday classification.

Therefore, checking the location-specific calendar is essential.

Bank Holiday October 23: Important Details

Why Are Banks Closed in Sikkim on October 23?

Sikkim observes important regional and religious festivals, including Durga Puja and Vijayadashami.

These celebrations are reflected in the banking holiday calendar applicable to Gangtok.

According to the supplied report, the October 2026 festival-related closures in Gangtok are scheduled as follows:

• October 21: Vijayadashami

• October 22: Durga Puja

• October 23: Durga Puja

These holidays fall on consecutive weekdays.

The timing creates an extended period of branch closures when combined with the fourth Saturday and Sunday immediately afterward.

Customers who need services that require a physical bank visit should plan accordingly.

Five Consecutive Bank Holidays in Gangtok

The combination of festival holidays and the regular weekend means that branches covered by the Gangtok holiday schedule may remain closed for five consecutive days.

Gangtok Bank Holiday Schedule: October 21–25

This means that normal branch operations would generally resume on the next working day, subject to any additional local holiday notification.

Customers should confirm the reopening schedule with their bank if they have an urgent branch-related requirement.

Banks Closed Across India on October 24 and 25

Although the October 23 holiday is regional, October 24 and 25 are regular bank holidays across India.

October 24, 2026, falls on the fourth Saturday of the month.

Under the prevailing banking holiday arrangement, scheduled and relevant other banks observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays.

October 25 is a Sunday, when regular bank branches are generally closed.

Therefore, customers across India should plan branch visits around the weekend.

Weekend Bank Holiday Rules

These general rules remain subject to other notified holidays and applicable banking arrangements.

Are Banks Closed in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Other Cities on October 23?

The reported October 23 holiday specifically concerns Gangtok.

It does not establish a nationwide closure in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad.

Bank branches in these locations would generally follow their own applicable holiday calendars.

A festival holiday declared for one RBI regional centre should not automatically be treated as a holiday for every bank branch across India.

Customers can verify the exact holiday status through the RBI's official calendar or their bank's branch information service.

Bank Holidays in West Bengal During Durga Puja

Durga Puja is one of the major festivals celebrated in West Bengal.

The supplied report states that banks in Kolkata and other covered locations in West Bengal observed festival-related holidays from October 19 to October 21, 2026.

The schedule reflects the regional significance of the festival.

However, the holiday dates in West Bengal are not necessarily identical to those in Sikkim.

This is why the RBI maintains location-specific holiday information rather than applying one uniform festival calendar throughout the country.

Why Does RBI Have Different Bank Holidays for Different States?

India has a diverse range of regional festivals, public holidays and cultural observances.

Banking holidays are determined under the applicable legal and regulatory framework, including the Negotiable Instruments Act and other relevant provisions.

The RBI publishes a location-wise holiday calendar to help banks and customers identify the applicable dates.

Some holidays, such as Republic Day and Independence Day, are widely observed across the country.

Others apply only to specific regions.

For example, a major festival in one state may result in bank closures there while branches in another state remain operational.

Customers should therefore avoid relying on nationwide social media holiday lists that do not distinguish between regional and general closures.

Which Banks Are Affected by RBI Holiday Rules?

Bank holidays can affect the regular branch operations of public-sector banks, private-sector banks, foreign banks and regional rural banks, depending on the applicable notification and banking category.

However, the precise holiday arrangements for individual institutions and specialised banking services may vary.

Customers should confirm whether their specific branch is covered by the notified holiday.

Digital banking channels often continue functioning even when physical branches are closed.

Will ATMs Work During the October 23–25 Bank Holidays?

ATMs are generally available during bank holidays.

Customers can ordinarily use them for services such as cash withdrawals, balance enquiries and other supported transactions.

However, ATM availability depends on operational conditions.

Individual machines may temporarily run out of cash or become unavailable because of maintenance or technical issues.

Customers expecting to need cash during an extended holiday period may prefer to make arrangements in advance.

Will UPI and Internet Banking Work on Bank Holidays?

Most digital banking services are designed to operate beyond regular branch working hours.

Customers can generally continue using:

UPI Payments: For supported person-to-person and merchant transactions.

Mobile Banking: For account information, eligible transfers and other digital services.

Internet Banking: For supported payments, transfers and banking requests.

IMPS: Generally available around the clock, subject to bank and network availability.

NEFT: Operates on a 24-hour basis under the RBI's applicable settlement arrangements.

RTGS: Also operates on a round-the-clock basis, subject to the relevant rules and technical availability.

However, customers should remember that certain requests requiring manual verification or branch processing may not be completed until the next working day.

Which Banking Services May Be Affected?

During a bank holiday, services that depend on physical branch operations may be unavailable.

These may include in-person cash deposits and withdrawals at branch counters, certain account documentation requests, physical verification services and other branch-assisted activities.

Cheque-related services may also be affected depending on the applicable clearing arrangements.

Customers should check the bank's current processing timelines rather than assuming every cheque or banking request will be delayed in the same way.

Digital alternatives may be available for some services.

What Should Customers Do Before a Long Bank Holiday?

Customers with important banking requirements should check the holiday calendar in advance.

For example, those needing large cash withdrawals, branch-issued documents or in-person banking assistance may need to complete these tasks before the closure.

It is also advisable to check the status of scheduled payments, particularly if an obligation requires funds to be available by a specific date.

Customers should ensure that recurring loan EMIs and other automatic payments have sufficient account balances.

Bank holidays do not necessarily suspend automated payment instructions.

How to Check the Official RBI Bank Holiday List

Customers can verify the bank holiday calendar through the Reserve Bank of India's official website.

RBI Official Website: https://www.rbi.org.in/

To check the holiday schedule, locate the bank holidays section and select the relevant month and regional centre.

For October 2026, choose the appropriate location to see which holidays apply.

Customers can also consult their bank's official website or customer service channels for branch-specific information.

Final Word

Bank branches in Gangtok, Sikkim, are scheduled to remain closed on Friday, October 23, 2026, for Durga Puja, according to the reported RBI holiday schedule.

The closure follows festival holidays on October 21 and 22 and precedes the fourth Saturday on October 24 and Sunday on October 25.

This creates a five-day period of regular branch closures in Gangtok.

The October 23 holiday is regional, not nationwide. Customers in other states should check their local holiday schedule before planning a bank visit.

Meanwhile, UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are generally expected to remain available, subject to technical and operational conditions.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the reported October 2026 banking holiday schedule. Customers should verify the applicable dates through the RBI's official location-wise holiday calendar and their bank's notifications before making travel or banking arrangements.