Banks to Close for 14 Days in March 2025: Plan Ahead

NEW DELHI, India — Banks across India will observe 14 days of closure in March 2025 due to several national and regional holidays, impacting customer transactions during this critical fiscal month.

Customers are advised to check the holiday schedule, as March marks the end of the fiscal year. This month includes significant holidays connected to festivals such as Holi and Ramzan, resulting in extended breaks for bank employees.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has published a list of holidays that includes weekends and special observances. Notably, March 2, 8, 9, 16, 22, 23, and 30 are designated weekly holidays, which fall on Sundays.

On March 7, the Chapchar Kut festival will lead to bank closures in Mizoram. The following day, March 8, is the second Saturday, designated as a holiday nationwide.

March 13 will see banks closed in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Kerala to recognize Holika Dahan. “Holi celebrations start with Holika Dahan, a significant occasion in the Hindu calendar,” said a spokesperson for the RBI.

March 14 is a central holiday for Holi (also called Dhuleti or Dol Jatra). While banks will close for the festivities, some states such as Tripura, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Kerala, and Nagaland will remain open.

Another round of closures occurs on March 15, with banks closed in select regions, including Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Imphal, and Patna. The subsequent holiday on March 22, which coincides with Bihar Diwas, will also lead to bank closures.

The last major holiday of the month falls on March 31, marking the Ramzan Eid celebration, with banks closed in most states except Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh.

Importantly, customers should note that while physical branches will be closed on these dates, digital banking services, including UPI payments and ATM operations, will remain operational. It is advisable for customers to plan their banking needs around these closures to avoid any inconveniences.

As the RBI determines these holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881, they apply primarily to public institutions but can impact private entities as well.