As the new week approaches, many people are searching for clarity on whether January 17, 2026, will be a bank holiday in India. Since the date falls right after the Sankranti and Pongal festivities in several states, confusion about bank schedules is common. However, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) holiday rules, January 17 is a regular working day for banks across the country.
Why January 17 Is Not a Bank Holiday
January 17 falls on a Saturday in 2026. To understand if banks are open or closed on that day, it’s important to know the RBI’s guidelines regarding weekend banking operations:
• Banks remain OPEN on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays of every month.
• Banks remain CLOSED on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Since January 17, 2026, is the third Saturday, all public and private sector banks will function with their regular working hours.
The Sankranti long weekend, especially in states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, has led to extended school holidays. Because of this, many people assumed banks might also follow a similar break pattern. However, school and government holiday schedules differ significantly from banking regulations.
None of these designate January 17 as a holiday.
To clear the confusion, here’s how Saturdays are placed for January 2026:
So, January 17 is not a bank holiday and all branches will operate normally.
What Services Will Be Available on January 17?
Since banks are open, customers can access:
Digital banking services (UPI, net banking, mobile banking) will, of course, continue 24/7 without interruption.
If you have any bank-related work planned for January 17, you can go ahead without worry. It is a working Saturday, and all banks across India will remain operational as usual.…Read more by Sakshi Post