Visiting bank today? Find out if it’s open in your city on Basant Panchami

If you're planning to visit the bank on Friday, January 23, 2026, it's important to check that the banks in your city are open. On this date, in some cities of India, the banks will be shut for religious and regional reasons.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, certain cities will celebrate a holiday on January 23, 2026, in honour of the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami or Basant Panchami), and Veer Surendrasai Jayanti.

Cities where banks will remain closed

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As per the RBI calendar, banks in cities such as Agartala, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata will be closed on Friday. Since bank holidays in India depend on state-specific festivals and events, the closure may not apply to all cities. Customers are advised to check with their local bank branch for exact details.

Bank services that will not be available

Due to the bank holiday, there will be no access to in-branch banking services for the customers. The following services are included in this:

• Cash deposits and withdrawals
• Cheque clearing services
• Passbook updates
• Paperwork related to the account
• Document verification services

If someone needs these services, they should schedule their visit either before or after the holiday.

Digital banking services will continue

Though in some areas, bank branches will not be open, there will be no effect on the normal usage of digital banking services. Customers can keep on availing facilities like:

• Net banking
• Mobile banking apps
• Online fund transfers
• Bill payments
• Account-related online services

On top of that, UPI transactions and ATM services will also be working. This means that daily banking operations will not be interrupted because of the non-functioning of branches.

Why are banks closed on January 23?

January 23 is observed for many significant reasons in different parts of India.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary: The day commemorates the birth of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who was one of the most significant freedom fighters in India.

Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami or Basant Panchami): The day is also regarded as the festival of Saraswati, which is often referred to as Shree Panchami or Basant Panchami. The worship of Goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music, and arts, is the main celebration of the day. Saraswati Puja is a very popular festival in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and the northeastern states.

Veer Surendrasai Jayanti: In some areas, especially in Odisha, Veer Surendrasai Jayanti is also marked. One of the earliest and most courageous fighters in India's freedom struggle, Veer Surendrasai, is honoured for his heroic fight against the British Empire and is considered a great patriot.

Other bank holidays in January 2026

According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructions, banks in India will be closed not only on January 23 but also on:

• Second Saturday and Fourth Saturday of the month
• January 26, 2026 (Republic Day), which is a national public holiday

Customers should consider these holidays while planning their banking activities.

Will the stock market be closed on Basant Panchami?

The stock market will be operational on January 23, 2026. There will be no change in trading on stock exchanges, and the stock market will not be closed on Basant Panchami.

Though banks in some cities will not be open on January 23 because of local festivities, the use of digital banking, UPI, and ATMs will guarantee that most of the financial operations will not be interrupted. It is recommended that customers look at their local holiday calendar and to schedule their bank visits accordingly.