What happened
Branches of the State Bank of India (SBI) and other major lenders in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, were closed on Thursday, 29 October 2026 for Karwa Chauth, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar as reported by Mint and CNBC-TV18.
The other lenders named were HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda. The closure was regional. Customers elsewhere in India were advised to check their local bank calendar.
What it means for you
If you needed branch work done, such as depositing or withdrawing cash or submitting documents, it had to wait until the branch reopened. Services that need in-person verification are usually the ones affected.
Digital channels stay open on such days. You can send and receive money through UPI or your bank’s app, and use internet banking for transfers and bill payments. Electronic transfers through NEFT and RTGS can also be started online, subject to each bank’s procedures. UPI may occasionally pause for scheduled maintenance, which banks announce in advance.
For the local angle, see our report on banks closed in Shimla for Karwa Chauth.
Background
Banks in India observe every Sunday and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month as holidays. Regional festivals add local closures that differ by city and state. The RBI publishes its annual holiday list in January.
Mint also reported that 31 October was a holiday in Ahmedabad for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birthday.
What to watch next
Mint reports that banks will be closed for a total of 16 days in November 2026, counting weekends and state or regional holidays. Key dates it lists include:
- 9 November: Diwali-related holidays in several cities, including Jaipur, Lucknow and Chandigarh.
- 10 November: Bali Pratipada and other observances in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
- 14 November: second Saturday, closed nationwide.
- 16 November: Chhath Puja in Patna and Ranchi.
- 24 November: Guru Nanak Jayanti and other observances in many cities.
- 28 November: fourth Saturday, closed nationwide.
Check your own bank’s website or branch before planning a visit.
