May 2026 Bank Holidays in India: Check Complete State-Wise List

With the quiet arrival of May comes an old feeling in the air; the season to plan summer vacation is finally here, as weekend breaks start to be marked on your calendar. But amid travel plans and rising temperatures, there's one practical detail many people forget to check: bank holidays.

Whether you're planning a trip, scheduling payments, or just trying to avoid that last-minute bank run, knowing when banks will be closed in May 2026 can save you more stress than you'd expect.

bank-holidays-in-May-2026
Photo Credit: Freepik

Bank Holidays in May 2026: Full List

Bank holidays in India are determined by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and vary based on national events, regional festivals, and weekends.

Here's a clear breakdown of key bank holidays in May 2026:

Major Holidays

labour-day-may-1st
Photo Credit: Freepik
  • May 1 (Friday) - May Day / Labour Day / Maharashtra Day / Buddha Purnima
    Observed across several states including Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and more.
  • May 26 (Tuesday) - Birthday of Kazi Nazrul Islam
    Holiday in multiple states including Delhi and West Bengal.
  • May 27 (Wednesday) - Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid)
    Observed in several states; dates may vary slightly based on moon sighting.
  • May 28 (Thursday) - Bakri Eid (in select states)
    Some regions may observe the holiday on this day instead.

State-Specific Holidays

  • May 9 (Saturday) - Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti (Kolkata)
  • May 16 (Saturday) - State Day (Sikkim)

Weekly Closures (Across India)

Apart from festival holidays, banks will also remain closed on:

  • All Sundays: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
  • Second Saturday: May 9
  • Fourth Saturday: May 23

Why These Dates Matter

Bank holidays in India aren't uniform across the country. A holiday in one state may not apply in another, especially when tied to regional festivals or local observances.

So, while your local branch in Delhi might be closed on a certain day, banks in another state could still be operational.

What You Should Keep in Mind

  • Online banking remains functional even on holidays, so digital transactions are unaffected.
  • Plan ahead for important transactions like cheque clearances, loan payments, or cash withdrawals.
  • Double-check state-specific holidays if you're travelling or dealing with banks in another region.

Bottomline

May often feels like a month of slowing down-between rising temperatures and scattered holidays, there's a natural pause built into it. But when it comes to banking, that pause can catch you off guard if you're not prepared.

Looking ahead into your holidays now will spare you some frustration in front of a locked bank door later on.

Read more about: bank holidays may summer holidays