On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, banks will be closed in Assam due to the celebration of Bohag Bihu, a significant traditional festival marking the Assamese New Year. This holiday is part of a series of bank closures throughout April, affecting various states across India.
Bohag Bihu is the biggest festival in Assam, celebrated with great enthusiasm. It symbolizes the arrival of the Assamese New Year and is a time when families engage in cleaning their homes, preparing traditional dishes, and participating in folk dances dressed in colorful attire. The Assam government has officially declared April 16 as a public holiday, resulting in all banking services being unavailable in the state.
While banks in Assam will be closed, most other states will see banking services operating normally. Customers in Assam are advised to complete any urgent banking transactions before the holiday to avoid inconvenience. Online banking services, including net banking, mobile banking, UPI, and ATM services, will remain operational, allowing customers to conduct transactions digitally.
April 2025 is marked by several bank holidays due to various regional and national observances. Prior to April 16, banks were closed on April 15 in states such as Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, in observance of Bengali New Year, Himachal Day, and Bohag Bihu. Following April 16, banks will also be closed on April 18 for Good Friday, affecting states like Tripura, Assam, Rajasthan, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Srinagar.
Additionally, banks will be closed on April 21 in Tripura due to Garia Puja, a tribal festival. On April 29, banks in Himachal Pradesh will close for Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti, and on April 30, banks in Karnataka will observe holidays for Basava Jayanti and Akshaya Tritiya.
April has been particularly busy for bank holidays, with three significant closures already impacting banking operations. Customers have faced delays in transactions due to these holidays, which have fallen on Fridays and Mondays, creating extended weekends.
As per the guidelines from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), all banks are mandated to remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, as well as Sundays. This month, the fourth Saturday falls on April 26, which will also see banks closed.
For those planning to conduct banking transactions, it is essential to keep these dates in mind. The RBI also emphasizes that local holidays and festivals can lead to additional closures, which vary by state. Therefore, it is always advisable for customers to check with their nearest bank branch for specific holiday schedules.
Despite the closures, digital banking services will continue to be available, ensuring that customers can still manage their finances online. This includes sending money, paying bills, and accessing funds through ATMs, although users should be aware that some services may be temporarily unavailable during maintenance periods.
In summary, while April 16 marks a holiday for banks in Assam due to Bohag Bihu, most of the country will continue with regular banking operations. Customers are encouraged to utilize digital services during this time and plan their banking needs around the upcoming holidays in the month.
