By Krishna Dua 
Bank Holiday in September 2025: State-Wise Holiday List
September 2025 brings a series of bank closures across India, as states and union territories observe a variety of festivals and regional holidays. In addition to the standard closures on the second and fourth Saturdays, and all Sundays, banks will be shut for key festivals such as Eid-e-Milad, Onam, Mahalaya, and the beginning of the Durga Puja celebrations. It is crucial for customers to be aware of the specific holiday list for their region to avoid any inconvenience related to banking services.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues an official list of bank holidays, categorized into three types: holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) Holiday, and Bank’s Closing of Accounts. While some holidays are observed nationwide, many are specific to individual states.
Key National and Regional Holidays in September 2025
1. Eid-e-Milad (Milad-un-Nabi): This significant Islamic festival, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, is a major holiday across many states. The festival is expected to be observed on Friday, September 5, 2025, although the exact date can be subject to the sighting of the moon. Banks will be closed in several states, including:
- Gujarat
- Mizoram
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Madhya Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttarakhand
- Hyderabad
- Vijayawada
- Manipur
- Jammu and Srinagar
- New Delhi
- Jharkhand
- Kerala
- Uttar Pradesh
In some regions, the holiday is observed a day earlier or later, or a Friday following the festival is a bank holiday. For instance, some sources indicate a holiday in Jammu and Srinagar on Friday, September 12, 2025, for the Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi.
2. Onam: The harvest festival of Onam is a major bank holiday in the state of Kerala. This month, banks in Kerala will be closed on Thursday, September 4, 2025, for the festival of First Onam (also known as Thiruvonam).
3. Durga Puja and Mahalaya: The final week of September marks the beginning of the auspicious Durga Puja festivities, a multi-day celebration of Goddess Durga.
- Mahalaya: The start of the Durga Puja celebrations is heralded by Mahalaya, which is expected to be on Sunday, September 21, 2025. While it is not a widespread bank holiday, some states like West Bengal, Tripura, and Odisha may observe it.
- Maha Saptami: Banks will be closed in several states on Monday, September 29, 2025, for Maha Saptami/Durga Puja. This includes Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal.
- Maha Ashtami/Durga Ashtami: The celebrations continue with banks in multiple states being closed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, for Maha Ashtami. This includes Tripura, Odisha, Assam, Manipur, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Comprehensive State-Wise Bank Holiday List
To provide a clear overview, here is a detailed breakdown of the bank holidays in September 2025 on a state-by-state basis. It is important to remember that these are in addition to the second and fourth Saturdays, and all Sundays, when banks are closed nationwide.
- Jharkhand: Karma Puja on September 3, 2025 (Wednesday) and Maha Ashtami on September 30, 2025 (Tuesday).
- Kerala: First Onam on September 4, 2025 (Thursday) and Eid-e-Milad on September 5, 2025 (Friday).
- Tripura, Assam, West Bengal: Maha Saptami on September 29, 2025 (Monday) and Maha Ashtami on September 30, 2025 (Tuesday).
- Odisha, Manipur, Rajasthan, Bihar: Maha Ashtami on September 30, 2025 (Tuesday).
- Jammu and Srinagar: Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi on September 12, 2025 (Friday) and Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on September 23, 2025 (Tuesday).
For other states, a comprehensive list of bank holidays can be found on the official websites of major banks and the Reserve Bank of India. It is always a good practice to check with your specific bank branch for the exact holiday schedule.
The Rise of Digital Banking and Alternate Services
While bank holidays mean physical branches are closed, the banking system continues to operate through various digital channels. This is particularly important for customers who need to conduct transactions on these days.
- Online Banking: Customers can easily access their accounts and perform a wide range of transactions, including fund transfers, bill payments, and balance inquiries, through their bank’s official website or mobile app.
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface): UPI remains one of the most popular and efficient ways to transfer money instantly, even on holidays. Services like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm rely on the UPI network, which operates 24/7.
- ATM Services: ATMs will remain operational for cash withdrawals and deposits. It is advisable to withdraw cash in advance if you anticipate a need for it on a bank holiday.
- NEFT/RTGS: While NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) and RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) are now 24/7 services, some specific transactions might be affected by bank closures. However, most digital transfers are processed instantly, minimizing the impact of holidays.
The shift towards digital banking has significantly reduced the inconvenience caused by bank holidays. It empowers customers to manage their finances at any time, from anywhere, ensuring that even on a bank holiday, essential financial services are just a few clicks away