Banks across India will shut for two straight days at the end of February 2026, as branches stay closed on the fourth Saturday and the following Sunday, falling on 28 February and 1 March. Customers are advised to plan cash needs in advance for this weekend break in over-the-counter services.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) includes these closures in the official bank holiday schedule for February 2026. The calendar, applicable to public and private banks such as State Bank of India (SBI), lists nine holidays in total for the month, counting all Sundays and second and fourth Saturdays.
Bank holidays February 2026: weekend pattern and working Saturdays
Under the RBI framework, banks remain shut nationwide on every Sunday, along with the second and fourth Saturdays. Branches generally operate on the first, third and fifth Saturdays, unless a specific national or local holiday is announced. This pattern continues in February 2026, when 28 February and 1 March form a two-day weekend closure.
While the core schedule applies across India, individual states may observe additional holidays for regional festivals or events. Because of these variations, customers are encouraged to check the holiday list of their own branch or bank website, especially when planning visits near long weekends or for time-sensitive transactions.
Bank holidays February 2026: full RBI list
The RBI issues the annual holiday list for all banking offices under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act. This law covers instruments such as cheques and promissory notes, so related transactions are not processed on the listed days. The table below shows all declared bank holidays in February 2026, including Sundays and regional observances.
| Date | Day | Location | Occasion | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1, 2026 | Sunday | Pan India | Sunday weekend | National |
| February 8, 2026 | Sunday | Pan India | Sunday weekend | National |
| February 14, 2026 | Saturday | Pan India | Second Saturday | National |
| February 15, 2026 | Sunday | Pan India | Sunday weekend | National |
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Gangtok, Sikkim | Losar | Regional |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | Mumbai, Nagpur, Belapur (Maharashtra) | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti | Regional |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | Aizawl (Mizoram), Imphal (Manipur) | State Day / Statehood Day | Regional |
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | Pan India | Sunday weekend | National |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | Pan India | Fourth Saturday | National |
Losar on 18 February 2026 brings a bank holiday in Gangtok, Sikkim. The festival is observed by the Tibetan community as part of New Year events in the state. Losar literally translates to “year fresh” and is part of the New Year celebrations in the state. Notably, ‘Losar Cham’, the ceremonial masked dance is much awaited part of the festivities.
On 19 February 2026, banks stay closed in Mumbai, Nagpur and Belapur for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, which marks the birth anniversary of one of the greatest warriors and rulers of India and commemorates his legacy. The following day, 20 February, Aizawl and Imphal observe State Day or Statehood Day, linked to the formation of Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya as full states on 21 January 1972. Mahashivratri also falls on 15 February 2026 but coincides with a Sunday, which is already a nationwide banking holiday.
Bank holidays February 2026: services and customer access
Even when branches are shut during bank holidays in February 2026, most digital channels continue to work. Customers can usually access internet and mobile banking, subject to any notified technical outages. ATMs remain available for cash withdrawals, and UPI and app-based payments typically function as normal, though cheque clearing waits until the next working day.
The February 2026 holiday schedule shows that while there are nine non-working days for branches, basic banking access remains available through online platforms and ATMs. Knowing the fixed Sunday and Saturday pattern, along with regional dates such as Losar and Statehood Day, allows customers and businesses to schedule visits and critical payments with fewer disruptions.
Credit: Oneindia