Are banks closed today for Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal, Maharashtra polls? Check state-wise list here
Customers who plan to visit bank branches should plan their visits according to these holiday schedules.
As the country celebrates various harvest festivals, including Pongal, Makar Sankranti and Bihu, many public and private sector banks in the regions will remain closed today, i.e. January 15, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared January 15 as a public holiday in many states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana, due to festivals.
Regional public holidays on January 15
Public holidays in India are often region-specific, depending on the festivals and events celebrated in different states. Today, banks in those states will remain closed, while branches in other states can operate as usual. The RBI classified these festivals under the Negotiable Instruments Act, making them regional holidays.
Public holidays in January 2026
The festive season is not over yet and new public holidays are planned in the coming days. On January 16, banks in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will be closed for Thiruvalluvar Day and Kanuma. January 17 will see banks in Tamil Nadu closed again due to Uzhavar Thirunal, which is a part of Pongal festivities. There will also be public holidays in West Bengal and Odisha on January 23, and all banks in India will remain closed on Republic Day, January 26.
Tamil Nadu to witness four consecutive public holidays
Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a long weekend with four consecutive public holidays starting today. Following today’s Pongal celebrations, banks will be closed on January 16 and 17 and then again on January 18, which is Sunday. It is worth noting that even though physical bank branches are closed, customers can still access online banking, ATMs and UPI services.
Public holiday in Maharashtra ahead of Municipal Corporation elections
Apart from Pongal, the country also celebrates other festivals like Uttarayana Punyakala and Makara Sankranti, which are celebrated in various parts of the country. Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra also led to a public holiday in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra today.
Managing banking needs during the holidays
If you need to withdraw or send money on public holidays, ATM services are available 24/7. Online banking services like NEFT, IMPS and RTGS can also be accessed. Additionally, UPI services can be used to send and receive money as it is functional even on public holidays.
RBI guidelines
According to the RBI, there are three categories of public holidays in India: public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, real time gross settlement holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and account closings of banks. It is important to note that regional public holidays may vary between states and banks across the country.
