If you’ve got banking to do in October 2025, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead. The month is absolutely jam-packed with holidays, thanks to a whirlwind of festivals and celebrations across the country. We're talking a grand total of 21 official bank holidays, and that’s including the usual second and fourth Saturdays and all the Sundays. So, before you head out, let’s dive into the full schedule to make sure you don't find a "Closed" sign waiting for you.
Key Highlights
- ✓ October 2025 is packed with a whopping 21 official bank holidays, including weekends.
- ✓ Banks in Agartala and Kolkata will be closed on Monday, October 6, for Lakshmi Puja.
- ✓ Major festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhat Puja will lead to multiple regional bank closures.
- ✓ A nationwide holiday is scheduled for October 2 on account of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti.
- ✓ Digital banking services, including mobile apps, online transfers, and ATMs, will remain fully operational.
The Festival Frenzy Begins: Early October Closures
October kicks off immediately with a string of holidays. On October 1st (a Wednesday), banks in a whole host of cities will be closed for Maha Navami, Dussehra, Ayudhapooja, and Durga Puja. We’re talking about places like Agartala, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Gangtok, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, and many more. It's a big day marking the ninth day of Durga Puja and Navratri, so a lot of the country will be celebrating.
Right after that, on Thursday, October 2nd, it’s a pan-India holiday for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. No matter where you are in the country, bank branches will be shut. This day also coincides with Dasara and Vijaya Dashami in some regions, making it a widespread day of observance. And if you're in Gangtok, the celebrations continue, with banks also closed on October 3rd and 4th for Durga Puja (Dasain).
Spotlight on Lakshmi Puja: Who's Closed on October 6th?
Now, let's get to a specific one causing some confusion: Monday, October 6th. On this day, banks will be closed in two cities—Agartala and Kolkata—for Lakshmi Puja. This festival, also known as Kojagari Purnima, is a big deal in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, celebrated on the full moon of Ashwin. It’s important to note this is a regional holiday; banks in other major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai will be open and operating as usual.
The week continues with more regional holidays. On Tuesday, October 7th, banks in Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, and Shimla will be closed for Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti and Kumar Purnima. Then, on Friday, October 10th, it’s a holiday in Shimla for Karva Chauth. And of course, sandwiched in between are the regular weekend offs, with Sunday on the 5th and the second Saturday on the 11th.
The Diwali Deluge: A Nationwide Celebration
After a relatively quiet mid-month—aside from a holiday in Guwahati for Kati Bihu on October 18th and the usual Sunday off—things get really busy. The third week of October is dominated by the festival of lights, Diwali, and its associated celebrations, leading to widespread bank closures across the country. It’s a multi-day affair, so you'll want to pay close attention to the dates.
The main event kicks off on Monday, October 20th. Banks will be closed in a massive list of cities for Diwali (Deepavali), Naraka Chaturdashi, and Kali Puja. This includes major hubs like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, New Delhi, and many more. It's one of the most widespread holidays of the month, affecting nearly every corner of India.
The celebrations don't stop there. On Tuesday, October 21st, banks will be shut in places like Belapur, Bhopal, Mumbai, and Nagpur for Diwali Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan) and Govardhan Pooja. Then, on Wednesday, October 22nd, cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Dehradun, and Lucknow observe holidays for Diwali (Bali Pratipada) and Vikram Samvant New Year Day. Finally, on Thursday, October 23rd, closures for Bhai Dooj and other related festivals will affect banks in cities like Ahmedabad, Kanpur, and Shimla.
Wrapping Up the Month: Chath Puja and More
As we head towards the end of the month, the holiday schedule continues. After the fourth Saturday and Sunday off on the 25th and 26th, the festival of Chath Puja brings more closures. On Monday, October 27th, banks in Kolkata, Patna, and Ranchi will be closed for the evening puja. The following day, Tuesday, October 28th, banks in Patna and Ranchi will remain closed for the morning puja.
The very last day of the month also has a holiday. On Friday, October 31st, banks will be closed in Ahmedabad to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday. It's a fitting end to a month filled with observances, celebrations, and, well, a lot of closed bank doors.
But Don't Worry, Your Banking Isn't on Holiday
Okay, so the branches might be closed, but that doesn't mean your financial life has to come to a halt. Here's the good news: even when the physical banks are shut, essential financial services are still very much available. Thanks to digital banking, you can handle most of your needs from the comfort of your home or on the go.
You can continue to use online and mobile banking platforms for almost everything—transferring funds, checking your balance, and paying bills. Services like NEFT and RTGS will also be available according to their operational windows. And if you need cash, there's no need to panic. ATMs will remain open and functional for withdrawals, and UPI apps will work just as they always do. You can even make online requests for things like chequebooks or demand drafts. The key is simply to plan any in-branch visits around these dates.
Conclusion
So there you have it—your complete guide to navigating the maze of bank holidays in October 2025. It’s undoubtedly one of the busiest months of the year for bank closures, with a grand total of 21 holidays mandated by the RBI. From regional festivities like Laxmi Puja and Chath Puja to nationwide celebrations for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and Diwali, there’s a lot to keep track of. The bottom line is to plan ahead, check this list for your specific city, and lean on digital banking tools to keep your finances moving smoothly throughout the festival season.
💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts! Join the charcha—keep it friendly, fun, and respectful.