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Bank Holiday Today: Banks Closed on March 17 in Select Cities Due to Shab-e-Qadr — Check Full March List
Indiaemploymentnews | March 17, 2026 12:40 PM CST

Banks in several parts of India remain closed today, March 17, 2026, on account of the religious occasion of Shab-e-Qadr. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banking services at physical branches are suspended in specific cities, including Imphal, Jammu, and Srinagar. However, digital banking services continue to function without interruption.

If you are planning any bank-related work today, here’s everything you need to know about today’s holiday, upcoming bank closures in March, and how it may affect your transactions.

Banks Closed Today in These Cities

On Tuesday, March 17, banks will remain shut in the following locations:

  • Imphal

  • Jammu

  • Srinagar

The closure is due to Shab-e-Qadr (Laylat al-Qadr), one of the holiest nights in Islam. It falls during the last ten days of Ramadan and is believed to be the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed. Devotees observe this night with prayers, worship, and spiritual reflection.

Bank Services: What Will Be Available Today?

While bank branches are closed in select cities, customers can continue using digital services such as:

  • Net banking

  • Mobile banking apps

  • UPI payments

  • ATM withdrawals

However, services that require visiting a bank branch—such as cheque clearance, cash deposits, passbook updates, and in-person transactions—will not be available in the affected regions.

Why Bank Holidays Differ Across States

Bank holidays in India are not uniform nationwide. The RBI categorizes holidays based on national events, regional festivals, and state-specific observances. This means banks may remain closed in some states while operating normally in others on the same day.

This decentralized holiday system ensures that regional cultural and religious events are respected while maintaining banking operations in unaffected areas.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in March 2026

March is a festive month with multiple holidays across different states. Here’s a quick look at the major upcoming bank holidays:

March 19 (Thursday)
  • Occasions: Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Telugu New Year, Navratri (Day 1)

  • Cities Affected: Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jammu, Imphal, Panaji, Nagpur, Belapur, Srinagar, Vijayawada

March 20 (Friday)
  • Occasions: Eid-ul-Fitr / Jummat-ul-Vida

  • Cities Affected: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Ranchi, Raipur, Guwahati, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram

March 21 (Saturday)
  • Occasions: Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid), Sarhul

  • Cities Affected: Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Ranchi

March 22 (Sunday)
  • Weekly holiday across the country

End-of-Month Bank Holidays

Several important festivals toward the end of March will also lead to bank closures:

March 26 (Thursday) – Ram Navami

Banks will be closed in cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Nagpur.

March 27 (Friday) – Ram Navami (Regional Observance)

Closures in Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Nagpur, and Gangtok.

March 31 (Tuesday) – Mahavir Jayanti

Banks will remain shut in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, and Kanpur.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Inconvenience

With multiple holidays lined up throughout March, customers are advised to plan their banking activities in advance. Checking the RBI holiday calendar before visiting a bank branch can help avoid delays or inconvenience.

For urgent transactions, digital banking platforms remain a reliable option, offering 24/7 access to essential financial services.

Final Word

Bank holidays are an essential part of India’s diverse cultural and regional calendar. While they may temporarily affect physical banking operations, the availability of digital services ensures that customers can continue managing their finances smoothly.

Before heading to your bank, make sure to verify whether it is open in your city—especially during festive periods like March.


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