In October 2024, banks across India will observe multiple holidays due to significant national and regional events, as per the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) official holiday calendar. These include key festivals and observances like Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Durga Puja, Valmiki Jayanti, and Diwali. Since each state has its own unique set of holidays based on local festivals, bank closures will vary from region to region. This makes it essential for customers to be aware of the city-wise bank holiday schedule to avoid inconvenience.
For instance, October kicks off with a holiday on October 1st for the General Elections to the State Legislative Assembly in Jammu. The following day, October 2nd, marks Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, with banks remaining closed across the country. Additionally, states like Rajasthan will observe Navratra Sthapna on October 3rd, leading to bank closures in the region.
As we move further into the month, major festivals like Durga Puja and Dussehra will bring about multiple closures. On October 10th, banks will remain closed in Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, and West Bengal for Durga Puja (Maha Saptami), followed by extensive closures across several states on October 11th and October 12th for Dussehra and related observances like Ayudha Pooja and Durga Ashtami.
In addition, states like Sikkim will observe Durga Puja (Dasain) on October 14th, while Tripura and West Bengal will have a holiday for Lakshmi Puja on October 16th. Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti on October 17th will lead to closures in states like Karnataka, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh.
Finally, Diwali, one of India’s most significant festivals, falls on October 31st, with widespread bank closures across states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. It’s crucial for individuals to plan their banking transactions well in advance, especially if they rely on physical branches, as there will be multiple long weekends due to these holidays. However, digital banking services will remain unaffected, allowing customers to carry out essential transactions online.
