As India prepares to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, several regions are set to observe a long Bank Holiday stretch starting from Wednesday, November 5, 2025, through Sunday, November 9, 2025. According to the official Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday schedule, banks across various states will remain closed on different days during this five-day span. However, it’s important to note that not all states will experience continuous holidays — the closures will vary region by region.
If you have urgent financial tasks or branch-related work, you may want to check the detailed Bank Holiday list for November 2025 to plan your visits accordingly.
November 5: Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Purnima
On Wednesday, November 5, India will celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Parv — the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism. The same day also marks Kartik Purnima, a major Hindu festival observed across several regions.
Due to these twin occasions, banks will remain closed in most northern and central Indian states including:
Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir.
However, banking services will continue as usual in states like Gujarat, Kerala, Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, and parts of the North-East, where local holidays differ. Customers in these regions can visit their branches for regular transactions without disruption.
November 6: Nongkrem Dance Festival and Bihar Elections
The next Bank Holiday will be on Thursday, November 6, but only in specific states.
In Meghalaya, banks will remain closed in observance of the Nongkrem Dance Festival, a vibrant cultural celebration among the Khasi tribe. Meanwhile, in Bihar, many bank branches will be shut due to the State Legislative Assembly elections scheduled around the same time.
For other states, November 6 will be a regular working day, with branches and financial services operating normally.
November 7: Wangala Festival in Meghalaya
On Friday, November 7, banks in Meghalaya will again remain closed to mark the Wangala Festival, an important harvest celebration of the Garo tribe.
Known as the “Hundred Drums Festival,” this event honors the Sun God for a bountiful harvest, and is one of Meghalaya’s most significant cultural festivities.
Other states, however, will see normal banking operations on this day, and financial institutions, ATMs, and branches will remain open for customers.
November 8: Kanakadasa Jayanti and Second Saturday
Saturday, November 8, will mark a nationwide Bank Holiday due to the Second Saturday of the month, which is a regular monthly closure under RBI regulations.
Additionally, in Karnataka, banks will also be closed for Kanakadasa Jayanti, celebrating the birth anniversary of the great poet-philosopher Kanakadasa.
This overlap of events will result in a complete closure of banks across the country, except for digital services.
November 9: Sunday Closure
The holiday stretch concludes on Sunday, November 9, when all banks across India will remain closed for the regular weekend Sunday Bank Holiday.
Thus, customers across all states will face a five-day window (from November 5 to November 9) with intermittent branch closures, depending on the region.
Digital Banking Services to Continue Without Disruption
Even though physical branches will remain closed during the Bank Holiday period, all major banks — including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and PNB — have assured that digital channels will function seamlessly.
Services such as:
- ATM withdrawals and deposits
- Internet Banking
- Mobile Banking
- UPI and IMPS transactions
will continue to operate 24×7 as usual. Customers can pay bills, transfer money, and check account balances without visiting a branch.
RBI’s Bank Holiday Classification
The RBI categorizes holidays under three main types:
- Holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act
- Holiday under Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
- Bank Account Closing Days
Each region has different observances based on its local festivals, elections, or state events. Therefore, even though the upcoming break is being called a “five-day bank closure,” the actual holiday count varies from state to state.
State-Wise Bank Holiday Schedule: November 2025
| Date | Day | Holiday/Event | States Where Banks Will Be Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Saturday | Kannada Rajyotsava / Igas-Bagwal | Karnataka, Uttarakhand |
| November 5 | Wednesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima / Rahas Purnima | Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, WB, J&K, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand |
| November 6 | Thursday | Nongkrem Dance Festival / Bihar Assembly Elections | Bihar, Meghalaya |
| November 7 | Friday | Wangala Festival | Meghalaya |
| November 8 | Saturday | Kanakadasa Jayanti / Second Saturday | Karnataka & All States (due to 2nd Saturday) |
| November 9 | Sunday | Regular Weekly Holiday | All States |
Global Context: Bank Holidays Around the Same Time
Interestingly, the Bank Holiday pattern in India coincides with several international holidays in early November.
- In the United Kingdom, early November often sees bank closures for Remembrance Day observances.
- In the United States, Veterans Day is observed on November 11, leading to bank closures across federal institutions.
These global overlaps can sometimes affect international money transfers, forex settlements, and inter-bank operations between countries like India, the UK, and the US.
Hence, customers dealing with international wire transfers or remittances should plan ahead to avoid any delays caused by these global banking downtimes.
How to Prepare Before the Bank Holiday Period
To avoid inconvenience during this extended break, here are a few quick tips:
- Complete in-branch work in advance — Deposit checks, update passbooks, or handle loan documents before November 5.
- Withdraw necessary cash early — Though ATMs will function, they may run low during consecutive holidays.
- Use digital options — Make use of UPI, net banking, and mobile apps for quick transactions.
- Check EMI or auto-debit dates — Ensure sufficient account balance for upcoming payments.
- Avoid last-minute branch visits — Many urban centers may face higher rush just before the holiday stretch.
When Will Banks Reopen?
After this five-day sequence, banks will reopen on Monday, November 10, 2025, with normal working hours across all regions.
However, if your bank has region-specific local holidays beyond these dates, it’s advisable to check the RBI’s official Bank Holiday calendar or your respective bank’s website before visiting.
Also read: Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025: Date, History, Teachings, and Global Celebrations
Key Takeaway
While headlines may suggest a five-day national Bank Holiday, the reality is that the closures are state-specific and staggered. Customers in certain regions will see fewer holidays, while others may face consecutive closures due to regional festivals and weekends.
To stay unaffected, plan your banking activities early and rely on digital platforms for uninterrupted financial access.
Summary: Why This 5-Day Bank Holiday Period Matters
- Begins on November 5 (Guru Nanak Jayanti).
- Ends on November 9 (Sunday).
- Affects different states on different days.
- Digital banking and ATMs remain operational.
- RBI-approved list confirms all regional variations.
- International remittances may be slightly delayed due to overlapping global holidays.
Also read: New Delhi to Firozpur Vande Bharat Express: Complete Schedule, Route, and Launch Details Announced
Final Note
The November Bank Holiday stretch serves as a reminder of India’s cultural diversity — from Guru Nanak Jayanti in the north to Kanakadasa Jayanti in the south, and unique regional festivals in the northeast.
While it may bring a brief pause to physical banking, India’s robust digital infrastructure ensures that financial services continue uninterrupted across the country and beyond.
So before you step out for any banking work this week, make sure to check the Bank Holiday calendar and plan accordingly.
