December bank-holiday calendar released — check state-wise list for closures

The December bank-holiday calendar 2025 has been released, outlining state-wise closures across India. The main keyword underlines the importance for customers and businesses to review the calendar before planning transactions, as banks will be closed on multiple dates due to regional and national observances.

The schedule covers national holidays, Saturdays, Sundays and state-specific events such as festivals or commemorative days. Closures vary by region. Being aware of the calendar can help avoid unexpected delays in banking operations like cheque clearances, demand drafts or branch visits.

How December bank-holiday schedule is structured

Bank holidays in India follow a layered pattern. There are the regular weekly closures — Sundays and, in many cases, the second and fourth Saturdays. On top of that come national or gazetted holidays that apply everywhere. Then there are state- or region-specific holidays recognised under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) calendar, based on local festivals or cultural observances. In December 2025, this combination results in a mix of uniform and regional shutdown days.

This means two things for customers: first, not all bank branches within India are closed on the same dates; and second, you must check the schedule specific to your state or city before visiting a branch. For businesses and individuals with pan-India operations, this variant calendar can affect transaction timelines and logistics planning.

Key nationwide and regional bank-holiday dates in December 2025

Some of the most relevant closure dates include: regular weekly holidays on Sundays (for example, December 7, 14, 21, 28) and scheduled Saturdays (such as December 13 and December 27) under the standard bank holiday norms. A major nationwide holiday is Christmas Day on December 25 when banks across India will be shut.

Beyond that, several state-specific holidays apply only to certain regions. For example, banks in Goa will remain closed on December 3 for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier and on December 19 for Goa Liberation Day. Banks in Meghalaya will observe holidays linked to local commemorations, while in northeastern states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, December 1 is marked for regional observances that impact banking operations.

What this means for customers and businesses

For individuals, it’s important to complete urgent banking tasks — such as cheque deposits, demand drafts, loan applications or in-branch operations — well ahead of the holiday dates relevant to their state. For digital banking services like UPI or online fund transfers, operations typically continue even on bank holidays, though processing involving manual intervention may be delayed.

Businesses should especially take note if they operate across states. Payrolls, vendor payments and credit clearances may get impacted if branches involved belong to different states observing different holidays. Advance planning and clear communication with banks can minimise disruptions. It also pays to confirm branch-specific working days, as sometimes holidays may vary based on local orders or state notifications.

Why RBI issues state-wise holiday calendars

India’s cultural and regional diversity means festivals, observances and public holidays differ significantly across states and union territories. The RBI provides a state-wise holiday calendar under the Negotiable Instruments Act framework to accommodate this diversity while ensuring banking operations remain systematic and predictable. This allows each state to observe its local holidays without affecting banks nationwide on the same date.

The system also helps national and private sector banks manage staffing, liquidity and customer service continuity across regions. For national level operations, corporate clients and financial institutions often track this calendar closely to align operations and payments.

Tips to avoid banking hassles in December

Check the holiday calendar relevant to your state before scheduling any banking tasks. Use online banking or digital transactions whenever possible to avoid delays. For cheque-based transactions or services requiring branch visits, plan at least 2–3 working days in advance. Businesses with cross-state operations should consider creating contingency plans for payments and collections. Keep in mind that holiday shutdowns may also affect related services like government offices or couriers.

Takeaways

Bank holiday closures in December 2025 vary by state according to RBI’s official calendar.
December includes regular weekends, Christmas (national holiday) and multiple region-specific holidays.
Customers and businesses must check local schedules before planning banking tasks to avoid disruption.
Digital banking eases some impact, but activities requiring manual processing still need scheduling around holidays.

FAQs

Why do bank holidays differ across states?
Because regional and cultural observances vary, RBI issues a state-wise calendar to allow banks to observe local holidays while maintaining a predictable schedule.

Will online banking services be unavailable on bank holidays?
No. Online banking, UPI, ATM withdrawals and digital transfers generally continue, though transactions requiring manual processing may be delayed.

How many days are banks closed in December 2025?
Between regular weekends, national holidays and state-specific holidays, many branches could observe up to 13–19 closure days, depending on region.

Do banks shut on all Saturdays in December?
Not all, but banks are usually closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month as per the standard RBI holiday norms.