Banks across India will remain closed on Saturday, May 9, 2026, as it is the second Saturday of the month. In Kolkata, banks are also observing a holiday for Rabindra Jayanti, marking the 165th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
According to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) holiday calendar for the financial year 2026–27, banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays every month, in addition to Sundays.
Also Read | What is Swasth Bharat Portal? Here’s how India’s new digital health platform will work
Why are banks closed today?
Apart from the scheduled second Saturday closure, May 9 is also being observed as Rabindra Jayanti in West Bengal.
The occasion, also known as Poncheeshe Boishakh, commemorates Tagore's birth anniversary and is traditionally observed on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Baisakh. Though the actual Bengali calendar date falls on May 7 this year, the public holiday has been officially shifted to May 9 to align with institutional closures.
Banks in Kolkata and several parts of West Bengal are therefore closed for both reasons.
RBI bank holiday rules
As per RBI guidelines, banks remain open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays unless those dates coincide with regional, religious or national holidays.
The Central bank issues a region-wise holiday calendar each year, and the list varies across states depending on local observances.
Bank holidays in May 2026
Several bank holidays have been scheduled this month across India. These include Labour Day on May 1, weekly Sunday closures, Statehood Day holidays in select states on May 16, Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti on May 26, and Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) holidays on May 27 and May 28 in many regions.
Banks will also remain shut nationwide on May 23 for the fourth Saturday.
Also Read | From heavy rain to rising heat, IMD warns of extreme weather across India
Digital banking services remain available
Even though physical bank branches are closed, digital banking services continue to function normally during holidays.
Customers can still use UPI platforms, mobile banking apps and internet banking services for payments, balance checks and fund transfers. Online services related to NEFT/RTGS transactions, debit and credit card requests, account maintenance and standing instructions also remain operational without interruption.
