Banks To Be Closed For 18 Days In March Across India: Check Region-Wise Bank Holidays In March 2026

As March begins, banks across India will observe several holidays due to national festivals, regional celebrations, and statutory weekly closures. The Indian Express has published a city-wise bank holiday calendar for March 2026outlining which public holidays will be observed in various states and union territories. This list is important for customers, businesses, and employees who depend on bank services for payments, withdrawals, transfers, and official documentation.

National and Common Holidays

Some holidays in March apply to all banks across India because they are part of the national or central holiday schedule:

• Sunday Weekly Holiday: Every Sunday is a statutory bank holiday throughout India, including in March.
• Holi: One of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, Holi falls in March and is observed as a bank holiday in many states.
• Maha Shivratri: A major Hindu festival revering Lord Shiva, often resulting in bank closures in states where it has strong cultural importance.

These holidays affect nationwide operations, and services such as clearing of cheques or customer service counters will remain closed.

State-Specific Holidays

In addition to nationwide holidays, several states and union territories have regional bank holidays in March. These include:

• Gangaur: Celebrated primarily in Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, Gangaur is observed as a bank holiday in the respective states.
• Gudi Padwa / Ugadi / Cheti Chand: These New Year festivals for Maharashtrians (Gudi Padwa), Telugus and Kannadigas (Ugadi), and Sindhis (Cheti Chand) fall in late March or early April and may be listed depending on timing. In March 2026, some of these observances overlap with the month and could impact local bank schedules.
• Regional Holidays: Specific local events, such as state foundation days, historical anniversaries, or community festivals, may be included in the calendar for cities in West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Northeast states.

Because these holidays vary by region, people in different parts of the country may experience different bank holiday dates.

What It Means for Customers

If you plan to visit a bank branch in March 2026, it’s essential to check the holiday list specific to your city or state. Bank branches in metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai may have a mix of nationwide and regional holidays.

Customers should be mindful that:

• Cash withdrawals and deposits may be limited on regional holidays.
• Cheque clearing may be delayed on non-operational days.
• Loan and document processing can be postponed if the branch is closed.
• Online banking and ATMs typically remain functional even on bank holidays, though customer support lines may operate on restricted hours.

How to Use the Holiday Calendar

Most banks publish the holiday list at the start of the year or month. Businesses, schools, and offices often plan around these dates to avoid scheduling conflicts with financial transactions.

For precise dates and city-wise details, customers can consult the official holiday calendar provided by their bank or the Reserve Bank of India’s published list for March 2026. Staying informed helps avoid inconvenience when planning travel, payments, or bank-dependent tasks.