It's the end of the month, a Saturday, and you're probably wondering, "Are the banks even open today?" It's a common question, especially on a day like today, November 29, 2025, which happens to be the month's fifth Saturday. Well, I've got some great news for you—yes, banks across the country are up and running today! It’s easy to get confused, but the rule is pretty simple once you know it.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Good news! Banks are open today, November 29, 2025, because it's the fifth Saturday of the month.
- ✓ According to RBI rules, only the second and fourth Saturdays are bank holidays.
- ✓ Brace yourself for December 2025, which has a whopping 19 bank holidays scheduled across various states.
- ✓ Even when branches are closed, digital services like UPI, Net Banking, and ATMs will be fully functional 24/7.
- ✓ The December holiday list includes major events like Christmas, Goa Liberation Day, and Losoong/Namsoong.
The Curious Case of the Fifth Saturday
So, why the confusion? Most of us are conditioned to think of the last Saturday as a holiday. But the official holiday calendar from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) states that only the second and fourth Saturdays of the month are public holidays for banks. The first, third, and any occasional fifth Saturday are considered regular working days. So, if you have any last-minute banking to take care of before December rolls in, today is the perfect day to do it.
November was a relatively quiet month for bank holidays, especially since major festivals like Diwali and Chhath wrapped up in October. Aside from the standard Sundays, there were only about five days of regional holidays scattered across the month. These included Kannada Rajyotsava in Karnataka on November 1st, Guru Nanak Jayanti in several cities on the 5th, and a few local festivals in Shillong and Bengaluru.
Get Ready: December Brings a Flood of Holidays
Now, while November was calm, December is shaping up to be a whole different story. The RBI has already released its holiday list for the final month of the year, and you might want to sit down for this. In December 2025, banks will be closed for a staggering 19 days in various parts of the country. Yes, you read that right—nineteen days!
This count includes all the Sundays, the second and fourth Saturdays, and a host of public and regional holidays. The RBI categorizes these holidays into three types: Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real-Time Gross Settlement Holidays. It's crucial to check this list before planning any important bank-related work next month to avoid any last-minute hassles.
A State-by-State Breakdown for December 2025
Let's dive into the specifics so you can mark your calendar. The holidays are quite spread out, with many being specific to certain states. Here’s a day-by-day look at what to expect:
The month kicks off with a holiday on December 1st (Monday) in Itanagar and Kohima for State Inauguration Day and Indigenous Faith Day. A couple of days later, on December 3rd (Wednesday), banks in Panaji will be closed for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. The first weekend break comes on December 7th (Sunday), a nationwide weekly holiday.
Mid-month gets busy, too. Shillong will observe a holiday on December 12th (Friday) for Pa-Togan Nengminza Sangma. This is immediately followed by the second Saturday on December 13th and a Sunday on December 14th, giving many a long weekend. Shillong has another holiday on December 18th (Thursday) for the Death Anniversary of U Soso Tham, and Panaji celebrates Goa Liberation Day on December 19th (Friday).
As we get closer to the festive season, Gangtok celebrates Losoong/Namsoong on December 20th (Saturday) and December 22nd (Monday), sandwiching the weekly holiday on December 21st (Sunday). The Christmas holidays then sweep across the nation. Christmas Eve on December 24th (Wednesday) is a holiday in Aizawl, Kohima, and Shillong. Then, on December 25th (Thursday), banks will be closed almost everywhere for Christmas.
The celebrations continue with a holiday on December 26th (Friday) in Aizawl, Kohima, and Shillong. The next day, December 27th, is the fourth Saturday, which is also a Christmas holiday in Kohima. The last weekend of the year sees banks closed on December 28th (Sunday). The year's holidays conclude with U Kiang Nangbah on December 30th (Tuesday) in Shillong and New Year's Eve on December 31st (Wednesday) in Aizawl and Imphal.
Don't Worry, Digital Banking Has Your Back!
Seeing a list of 19 holidays can feel a bit overwhelming, but here’s the silver lining: a bank holiday doesn't mean your financial world comes to a halt. Thanks to modern technology, most of your banking needs can be met without ever stepping into a branch. Your essential online services will continue to work flawlessly, 24/7.
Services like UPI (think Google Pay, PhonePe), IMPS, and Net Banking are always on. You can transfer funds, check your account balance, pay your credit card bills, and handle your EMIs from the comfort of your home. ATMs will also be functional for cash withdrawals. The only services that are typically paused during these holidays are counter-related tasks like cheque clearing and demand drafts.
A Quick Note on Bank Timings
On the days that banks are open, it's also helpful to remember their operating hours can vary. Public sector giants like SBI, PNB, and Bank of India generally operate from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Private banks such as ICICI, HDFC, and Axis Bank often start a bit earlier, around 9:30 AM, and close between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. It’s always a good idea to double-check the specific hours for your local branch before you head out.
Conclusion
So, the bottom line is pretty clear. You're in luck today, as November 29th is a full working day for banks, thanks to it being a fifth Saturday. It's the perfect opportunity to sort out any pending financial tasks before we head into December. And when December arrives with its long list of 19 holidays, remember to plan ahead and lean on digital banking services to keep things running smoothly. Staying informed is the best way to manage your finances without any stress!
