Banks Closed in Several Indian Cities on November 9 for Diwali Festivities

On Monday, November 9, numerous bank branches across various regions of India will remain closed in observance of Diwali and associated celebrations such as Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Pooja, and Vishwakarma Day. However, this closure is not uniform nationwide. Several metropolitan cities will continue regular banking operations, making it essential for customers to confirm branch status prior to planning visits.

Major banks including State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Punjab National Bank will follow the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) regional holiday schedule. According to the RBI’s calendar for November 2026, branches in cities like Agartala, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Gangtok, Guwahati, Imphal, Jaipur, Kanpur, and Lucknow will observe a holiday on November 9 due to these festivities.

In contrast, branches in key financial hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad are expected to function normally on this date, although some of these locations will observe holidays on different days within the festive period.

Branch operations after November 9

For areas observing the November 9 bank holiday, branches are generally expected to reopen on Tuesday, November 10, unless other local holidays apply. Notably, some cities including Ahmedabad, Belapur, Bengaluru, Dehradun, Gangtok, Mumbai, and Nagpur will remain closed on November 10 as well due to related celebrations like Diwali (Bali Pratipada), Govardhan Puja, Laxmi Puja, and the Vikram Samvat New Year.

Further closures are planned for Wednesday, November 11, affecting branches in Gangtok, Imphal, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Shimla for holidays including Laxmi Puja, Ningol Chakkouba, Bhai Dooj, and Chitragupt Jayanti. Customers in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Kanpur and Lucknow, should note that these locations will have bank holidays on November 9 and 11 but not on November 10.

Availability of banking services during holidays

Even as physical branches close in some regions, many banking services remain accessible through digital platforms. Customers can continue to perform transactions such as sending and receiving money via UPI apps and bank-specific mobile applications.

• UPI Payments: Instant fund transfers through Unified Payments Interface apps remain fully operational.
• Internet and Mobile Banking: Account balance checks, statement reviews, bill payments, and fund transfers are accessible online.
• NEFT and RTGS: Electronic fund transfer systems operate 24/7, including on bank holidays.
• ATM Services: Cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and other ATM functions are available subject to cash availability and machine functionality.

However, services that require physical branch visits, such as over-the-counter cash deposits or withdrawals, document submissions, and locker access, will not be available in branches observing these holidays.

Customers planning to visit a bank branch during this period are advised to verify the status of their local branches through official bank websites or by contacting branches directly. Regional holidays can vary even within the same state, so confirming beforehand can help avoid inconvenience.

This pattern of staggered bank holidays during major festivals is common in India, reflecting the country’s diverse cultural and religious practices. The RBI’s approach to designating regional holidays allows banks to observe local customs while maintaining operations in major financial centers, helping balance cultural observance with economic activity.