And it’s March 2026, an exciting month with which bank consumers all over India are encouraged to arrange their funds with the help of advance notice. March will be a “festival” and will feature big celebrations including Holi, Ugadi, Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramadan), Sri Rama Navami and Mahavir Jayanti.
Banks in different areas will have up to 18 days off from opening including weekends (second & fourth Saturdays and on all Sundays), per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar. But here’s a caveat: Bank holidays are regional wide, and will vary widely from community to community. For example, North Indian states, such as Uttar Pradesh, will take a three-day hiatus for Holi, while banks in Karnataka will be open during that period.
Bank Holiday: National Viewpoint in March 2026
Here is an exhaustive snapshot of bank holidays in India for March 2026. You need to look into which state’s guidelines apply since they don’t operate uniform around the country.
Karnataka Specific: Closing of 10 Banks in Karnataka
Banks will be closed for 10 days in March 2026. Banks will open on Holi and Sri Rama Navami, but shut on Ugadi and Mahavir Jayanti.
Bank Holiday Calendar in Karnataka
- March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: All Sundays
- March 14: Second Saturday.
- March 28: Fourth Saturday
- March 19 (Thursday): Ugadi Festival
- March 20 (Friday): Ramadan (Eid-ul-Fitr)
- March 31 (Tuesday): Mahavir Jayanti
Vital Facts Customers Need To be aware, while the physical bank branches will be closed this time round, the digital infrastructure ensures that your everyday financial needs are never affected.
- Digital Services: Internet banking sites and mobile banking apps, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) will be active and operational 24/7.
- Cash Availability: ATMs will continue to operate. It is advisable, however, that you draw cash early while these long weekends stretch (such as the one we are currently in, March 19-22), as a machine could run dry.
- Physical Documentation: Services requiring the physical presence of those responsible for sending such a form, such as submitting Demand Drafts (DDs), updating passbooks at the counter, or locker entry, will not be available.
- Long Weekend Alert: The combination of Ugadi (Mar 19) in Karnataka, Ramadan (Mar 20) followed by the weekend means that the time is long for bank employees: plan your high-value payments accordingly.
Pro-Tip: If you have anything outstanding on paper and need to deposit a physical cheque, try to finish by Wednesday of March 18 avoiding the mid-month rush. Your
