Bank branches across India are closed on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as the date falls on the fourth Saturday of the month. Banks in India observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays every month, making August 22 a scheduled branch holiday.
The closure means customers will not be able to access regular in-person services at physical bank branches on Saturday. People who need to meet bank officials, submit certain documents or complete services that require a branch visit will have to wait until the next working day.
The closure will effectively continue through the weekend because Sunday, August 23, is also a regular bank holiday. Banks are expected to resume normal branch operations on Monday, August 24.
Why are banks closed today?
The August 22 closure is part of India’s established banking holiday system. Banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, in addition to Sundays and other holidays listed in the annual banking calendar.
Since August 22 is the fourth Saturday of August 2026, bank branches will remain closed across the country. The holiday is therefore not linked to a particular festival, local event or unexpected development.
Customers should also note that bank holidays can differ depending on the state and city. Regional festivals and other local occasions can lead to additional closures in specific parts of the country.
Will UPI and online banking work today?
The closure of physical branches does not mean that all banking services are unavailable.
Customers can continue using UPI, mobile banking and internet banking for many routine transactions. Digital platforms allow users to transfer money, check balances, make payments and access several other banking facilities without visiting a branch.
ATMs are also generally available for cash withdrawals and other services supported by individual machines. However, availability of particular ATM services may depend on the bank, machine and technical conditions.
Customers with urgent transactions can therefore use digital banking channels wherever possible instead of waiting for branches to reopen.
When will banks reopen?
With Saturday and Sunday both being holidays, customers who require physical banking services will have to wait until Monday.
The schedule is:
- August 22, Saturday: Fourth Saturday bank holiday
- August 23, Sunday: Weekly bank holiday
- August 24, Monday: Banks expected to reopen
Customers planning to visit a branch for documentation, account-related work or other services requiring face-to-face assistance should plan their visit accordingly.
More bank holidays in August
August 2026 also includes several holidays that affect particular states and regions. Unlike the second- and fourth-Saturday closures, these holidays are not necessarily observed nationwide.
Some of the important dates in the August banking calendar include August 25, when certain locations observe First Onam and Milad-i-Sherif, and August 26, when several regions observe occasions associated with Id-E-Milad, Baravafat, Milad-un-Nabi and Thiruvonam.
Another set of regional holidays falls on August 28, covering occasions such as Raksha Bandhan, Pang-Lhabsol, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi and Ayyankali Jayanthi in applicable areas.
The exact dates and locations of regional bank holidays can vary, so customers should check the holiday calendar applicable to their state before visiting a branch.
August 2026 bank holiday highlights
The month includes both nationwide weekly holidays and region-specific closures.
- August 4: Ker Puja in Agartala
- August 8: Second Saturday and certain regional holidays
- August 13: Patriot’s Day in Imphal
- August 15: Independence Day and regional observances
- August 19: Birthday of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in Agartala
- August 22: Fourth Saturday bank holiday
- August 23: Sunday bank holiday
- August 25: First Onam and Milad-i-Sherif in applicable regions
- August 26: Id-E-Milad, Baravafat, Milad-un-Nabi and Thiruvonam in applicable regions
- August 28: Various regional and religious holidays
- August 30: Sunday bank holiday
What customers should know
The August 22 bank holiday primarily affects physical branch operations. Customers should not assume that digital banking has also been suspended.
UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATM services can continue to provide access to many routine banking facilities. However, services that require direct interaction with bank staff may have to wait until branches reopen.
The two-day weekend closure makes it especially important for customers to plan time-sensitive banking work in advance. Anyone who needs to submit documents, resolve a branch-level issue or complete another service that cannot be handled digitally should consider visiting the bank on Monday, August 24.
With August 22 falling on the fourth Saturday and August 23 being Sunday, bank branches will remain closed for two consecutive days, while several digital banking facilities remain accessible to customers.