Banks across several cities in India remain closed today on account of Holi-related celebrations, including Holi, Dhuleti, and Dol Jatra. The holiday schedule has been officially notified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under its state-wise bank holiday calendar.

As per the RBI’s guidelines, bank holidays vary depending on regional festivals and local observances. While Holi is celebrated widely across northern and western states, festivals like Dol Jatra are primarily observed in eastern parts of the country.

Cities Where Banks Are Closed

Bank branches are shut in multiple cities where Holi and its regional variations are being celebrated. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Gujarat are among those observing a public holiday.

In Gujarat, Dhuleti — the day following Holi — is marked with vibrant celebrations, leading to closure of banking operations. Meanwhile, in West Bengal and parts of Odisha, Dol Jatra festivities result in suspended banking services for the day.

What Services Are Affected?

Physical bank branches remain closed.

Over-the-counter transactions, cheque clearances, and in-branch customer services are unavailable.

However, digital banking services such as net banking, mobile banking, UPI, and ATM services continue to function normally.

Customers are advised to plan their transactions accordingly and rely on online platforms for urgent financial activities.

RBI Holiday Classification

The RBI categorizes bank holidays under three broad heads:

Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act

Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays

Banks’ Closing of Accounts

Holi-related holidays generally fall under the Negotiable Instruments Act, meaning cheque clearing and bill payments may experience delays in affected regions.

Nationwide or Local Holiday?

It is important to note that bank holidays for Holi are not uniformly observed across the country on the same day. Due to regional customs and different celebration dates, some states may observe closure today, while others may remain operational and close on the following day.

Customers should check their respective state holiday list on the RBI website or consult their bank branch for confirmation.

Advisory for Customers

Financial experts recommend:

Completing urgent branch-related work before the holiday.

Using digital payment systems for seamless transactions.

Verifying cheque clearance timelines to avoid delays.

With festival celebrations in full swing, banking operations will resume on the next working day as per the local schedule.