The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the bank holiday calendar for May. Banks will be closed for nine days next month. In addition to the second and fourth Saturdays, there will also be holidays for Buddha Purnima and Bakrid. In this era of digital banking, even though online transactions continue, you still have to visit a bank branch for check clearance and KYC procedures. Therefore, it is wise to check the holiday list in advance.

The Reserve Bank of India has divided bank holidays into three categories: First – Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Second – Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Third – Real Time Gross Settlement Holidays. April will have holidays falling under all three categories.

May 2026 begins with a long weekend. May 1st is a Friday. There is a holiday on this day for Buddha Purnima and Maharashtra Day/May Day. This is followed by Saturday, May 2nd, and Sunday, May 3rd. Banks will be open on Saturday, May 2nd, but if you are planning to travel, you can take three consecutive days off.

When and why will banks be closed in May?

May 1st (Friday) – All banks across the country will be closed due to Buddha Purnima and May Day.
May 3rd (Sunday) – All banks across the country will be closed on Sunday.
May 9th (Saturday) – All banks across the country will be closed on the occasion of Second Saturday and Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti.
May 10th (Sunday) – All banks will be closed on Sunday.
May 17th (Sunday) – All banks will be closed on Sunday.
May 23rd (Saturday) – All banks will be closed on Fourth Saturday.
May 24 (Sunday) – All banks nationwide will be closed on Sunday.
May 27 (Wednesday) – All banks nationwide will be closed on the occasion of Bakrid (Eid al-Adha).
May 31 (Sunday) – All banks nationwide will be closed on Sunday.

Online services will not be affected.
Even though banks' doors remain closed, customers need not panic. Digital banking transactions can be done through Google Pay and PhonePe. You will also be able to use net banking and ATM services 24/7.