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If you are planning to visit your bank branch this Saturday to complete pending work, this update is important for you. Saturday, January 17, 2026, is the third Saturday of the month, and as per RBI guidelines, banks usually remain open on the first and third Saturdays. However, despite being a working Saturday, banks will remain closed in one specific state due to a regional festival.

Let’s take a detailed look at where banks will be closed, where they will remain open, and which banking services will continue to function.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks remain closed on:

• All Sundays

• Second and fourth Saturdays

Banks are generally open on first and third Saturdays unless a state-specific holiday falls on that day.

This is exactly the case on Saturday, 17 January 2026.

As per the RBI holiday calendar, banks will remain closed only in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

• Reason for Holiday: Uzhavar Thirunal

• Affected City: Chennai (and other parts of Tamil Nadu)

Uzhavar Thirunal is an important festival dedicated to farmers and agricultural workers in Tamil Nadu. The day celebrates the contribution of farmers and expresses gratitude towards nature and agriculture.

Due to this regional holiday, all bank branches in Tamil Nadu will remain closed, even though it is the third Saturday.

Apart from Tamil Nadu, banks will remain open in all other states on January 17, 2026.

Banking operations will function normally in states such as:

• Delhi

• Uttar Pradesh

• Rajasthan

• Maharashtra

• Madhya Pradesh

• Gujarat

• Punjab

• Haryana

• Karnataka

• Telangana

Customers in these states can visit their respective bank branches and complete regular banking work.

Even in states where banks are closed, digital banking services will continue without interruption. These include:

• Net Banking

• Mobile Banking apps

• UPI payments

• ATM withdrawals and deposits

However, the following services will not be available where banks are closed:

• Cash counter services

• Cheque clearance

• Branch-related documentation work

Here are some key bank holidays in January 2026 as per RBI:

• January 16: Thiruvalluvar Day (Tamil Nadu – Chennai only)

• January 17: Uzhavar Thirunal (Tamil Nadu only)

• January 18: Sunday (Nationwide bank holiday)

• January 23: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti / Saraswati Puja

  • Banks closed in Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Chennai

• January 26: Republic Day (Banks closed across India)

• Public Sector Banks (SBI, PNB, Bank of India):
  Usually operate from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• Private Sector Banks (HDFC, ICICI, Axis):
  Typically open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Timings may slightly vary depending on branch location.

Although January 17, 2026, is the third Saturday and banks are usually open on this day, bank branches in Tamil Nadu will remain closed due to the Uzhavar Thirunal festival. In all other states, banking operations will continue as usual. Customers are advised to plan branch visits accordingly and rely on digital banking services where branches are closed.