As May 2025 approaches, it’s essential for individuals and businesses to prepare for the upcoming bank holidays that will affect banking services across India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that banks will remain closed for a total of 12 days throughout the month, including weekends and regional holidays. This closure includes both national observances and state-specific celebrations, so it’s crucial to know when services will be unavailable.
Among the significant holidays in May, the first day of the month marks both May Day (Labour Day) and Maharashtra Day, leading to bank closures in multiple states. Specifically, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, banks will be closed in states like Goa, Assam, Manipur, Kerala, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, and West Bengal. In Maharashtra, the day is celebrated as Maharashtra Day, commemorating the formation of the state.
Following May Day, the next notable holiday is on Friday, May 9, 2025, when banks in Kolkata will observe Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti, honoring the birthday of the revered poet and polymath.
The month continues with another significant closure on Monday, May 12, 2025, for Buddha Purnima. This holiday will see banks closed in various cities including Agartala, Aizawl, Belapur, Bhopal, Dehradun, Itanagar, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla, and Srinagar, as it is observed widely across states.
On Friday, May 16, 2025, banks will close in Gangtok for State Day, a regional celebration marking the formation of Sikkim as a state.
Later in the month, banks in Agartala will close on Monday, May 26, 2025, to honor the birthday of Kazi Nazrul Islam, another prominent figure in Indian literature and music.
Finally, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, banks will observe Maharana Pratap Jayanti, leading to closures in Shimla and several other regions.
In addition to these specific holidays, it’s important to note that banks will also be closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, which are regular non-working days across the country.
Despite these closures, customers can still access their banking services through digital platforms. Online banking, mobile banking applications, and ATMs will remain operational, allowing for transactions such as money transfers and bill payments even when physical branches are closed. This is a crucial aspect for customers to keep in mind, as it provides flexibility and convenience during holiday periods.
For those planning to conduct banking activities, it is advisable to schedule visits to branches in advance of these holidays to avoid any inconvenience. With 12 days of closures in May, being proactive can help mitigate any potential disruptions in financial transactions.
Here’s a complete list of bank holidays in May 2025:
- May 1 (Thursday) - May Day (Labour Day) / Maharashtra Day - Banks will be closed in Belapur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana), Imphal, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram.
- May 9 (Friday) - Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti - Banks will be closed in Kolkata.
- May 12 (Monday) - Buddha Purnima - Banks will be closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Belapur, Bhopal, Dehradun, Itanagar, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla, and Srinagar.
- May 16 (Friday) - State Day - Banks will be closed in Gangtok.
- May 26 (Monday) - Birthday of Kazi Nazrul Islam - Banks will be closed in Agartala.
- May 29 (Thursday) - Maharana Pratap Jayanti - Banks will be closed in Shimla.
- May 10 (Saturday) - 2nd Saturday - Banks will be closed across India.
- May 24 (Saturday) - 4th Saturday - Banks will be closed across India.
- May 30 (Friday) - Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji’s Martyrdom Day - Banks will be closed in Punjab.
As May unfolds, it’s vital for the public to stay informed about these holidays to ensure smooth banking operations. With the blend of regional and national holidays, understanding the schedule can help customers plan their banking needs effectively.
