Bank holiday alert: Why branches are closed on October 22 and what services still work

Diwali bank holiday

Banks in several states of India will remain closed  today on Wednesday, 22 October 2025. The festive week began with Dhanteras on October 18 and includes a series of holidays such as Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali Amavasya, and Govardhan Puja. The RBI has announced the holiday in view of the festival.

On the day after Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bali Pratipada are celebrated together, marking the legend of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill and the tribute to King Bali and Lord Vishnu, symbolising devotion and self-sacrifice. In Gujarat and some other states, the day is also observed as the Vikram Samvat New Year.

Below is the list of bank holidays for October 2025:

21 October 2025: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir — banks remain closed for Diwali Amavasya, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja.

22 October 2025: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar — banks closed for Diwali, Vikram Samvat New Year, Govardhan Puja, Bali Pratipada.

23 October 2025: Gujarat, Sikkim, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh — banks closed for Bhai Dooj, Chitragupta Jayanti, Lakshmi Puja, Bhatridvitiiya, Ningol Chakouba.

25 October — Fourth Saturday

26 October — Sunday

27 October 2025: West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand — banks closed for Chhath Puja (evening Aarti).

28 October 2025: Bihar and Jharkhand — banks closed for Chhath Puja (morning Aarti).

31 October 2025: Gujarat — banks closed for the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

October 2025 is expected to be a busy month for banking operations, given the large number of holidays scheduled. Customers are advised to complete their banking work well in advance. However, digital and online transaction services will continue to be available.

How these holidays impact you

On the listed holidays, branch services such as cheque clearance, passbook updates, or cash handling will not be available.

Digital banking channels-mobile apps, net banking, and ATMs-will continue to function as usual.

If an important date such as a loan repayment, recurring deposit deduction, or investment maturity falls on a holiday, processing is typically moved to the next working day in line with RBI guidelines.

Planning Ahead

To avoid last-minute disruptions, customers should plan critical branch-related work a day or two before these holidays. For routine transactions, online banking and ATM facilities provide round-the-clock alternatives.