Kamal Ghorui
Bank holidays in India can often be confusing, as they vary from region to region depending on the occasion. It is therefore advisable to double-check the holiday schedule before planning a visit to the bank, since branch closures differ across states and regions.In India, bank holidays are a combination of national and state-specific observances, which means banking branches do not follow a uniform opening schedule across the country. This week, banks in several regions will remain closed due to upcoming festivals and observances.When and where will banks remain closed this week?March 31: Banks will remain closed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, New Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh on the occasion of Mahavir Janmakalyanak/Mahavir Jayanti.April 1: Banks will remain closed nationwide, except in Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh. The closure is to allow banks to complete their yearly accounts.April 2: Banks will remain closed in Kerala due to Maundy Thursday.April 3: Banks across the country will remain closed, except in Tripura, Chandigarh, Assam, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir, on account of Good Friday.Apart from these dates, all scheduled and non-scheduled banks observe public holidays on Sundays, as well as on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.So, no transactions?Given these scheduled interruptions, customers are advised to plan their banking requirements in advance. Transactions that require branch access, such as large cash deposits, cheque processing, and similar services, should ideally be completed before the holiday dates.Despite physical branch closures, banking services will continue through digital platforms. Customers can still carry out routine transactions using online banking services, mobile applications, ATMs, and UPI, including fund transfers and bill payments.However, services that require in-branch processing, such as cheque clearances, demand draft issuance, and large cash deposits, will not be available on days when branches remain closed. Customers are therefore advised to plan accordingly and make full use of digital banking channels during this period
