Bank Holidays in May 2026: Important Dates and Potential Closures

As May 2026 approaches, customers should be aware of significant bank holidays and potential closures. Key dates include the second and fourth Saturdays, as well as regional holidays like Eid-ul-Adha. A planned strike by SBI employees may also disrupt services. Despite branch closures, digital banking options will remain available. Stay informed to avoid any inconvenience during this period.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2026, 18:12 IST

Upcoming Bank Holidays in May 2026

Attention customers: If you plan to visit your bank on Saturday, May 23, be aware that some banks may be closed in various parts of the country due to the holiday schedule outlined in the RBI Holiday Calendar for 2026. While not all banks in India will be closed every day in May 2026, certain states and Union Territories will observe closures based on their designated holidays, local celebrations, and weekends. According to RBI regulations, all public and private sector banks in India are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, as well as Sundays, each month. The specific closure dates for May 2026 are as follows:

May 9 - Second Saturday
May 23 - Fourth Saturday
All Sundays - May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31

In addition to the weekend closures, several regional and festive holidays will occur in May 2026. Many banks in various states may shut down on May 27 in observance of Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid). Additionally, some areas, including Jammu and Kashmir, may see bank closures on May 28.

Furthermore, banking operations could be disrupted due to a planned strike by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation on May 25 and 26. Although this strike will primarily involve SBI employees, it may affect banking services in certain regions. The strike is being organized in response to concerns regarding recruitment, job outsourcing, alignment with the SBI career scheme, HRMS, and NPS fund management.

RBI Bank Holiday Schedule for May 2026

May 1 – May Day / Buddha Purnima (in selected states)
May 3 – Sunday
May 9 – Second Saturday
May 10 – Sunday
May 16 – State Day (Sikkim)
May 17 – Sunday
May 23 – Fourth Saturday
May 24 – Sunday
May 27 – Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) in various states
May 28 – Bakrid holiday in select regions, including Jammu and Kashmir
May 31 – Sunday

Despite these branch closures, customers will still have access to digital banking options, including online banking, mobile banking, UPI transactions, and ATM services during the holiday period.