Bank Holiday on Makar Sankranti 2026: The year 2026 has started on a festive note, with January filled with important harvest festivals across India. Because of this, many bank holidays in January 2026 will be linked to popular celebrations such as Lohri, Makar Sankranti.Â
These festivals are celebrated in different ways in different regions, which is why bank holidays vary from state to state. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announces these holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, based on local and regional festivals.
Are Banks Open or Closed on Makar SankrantiÂ
Several important harvest festivals will lead to bank closures in the middle of the month. Makar Sankranti is a nationwide harvest festival known by different names such as Uttarayan, Sakraat, Magh Bihu, and Sankranti.Â
Banks will be closed on January 14, 2026, in several Indian states like Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh for festivals such as Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, while other states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have holidays on January 15 for Pongal/Sankranti
Makar Sankranti Holiday:Â State-Wise Bank Holidays List
- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will observe bank holidays related to Sankranti, although the exact holiday dates may differ slightly depending on local traditions.
- Banks in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan will remain closed on January 14 for Sankranti or Uttarayan celebrations.
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Assam: Banks will be closed on January 14 for Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival.
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Other states in the region may also observe bank holidays based on their local festival calendars.
Makar Sankranti Holiday: Online Services Will Continue
Although bank branches will be closed on these festival holidays, online and digital services will continue to operate. Customers can still use:
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UPI
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Mobile banking
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Internet banking
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ATMs
However, tasks that require a visit to the bank, such as cheque deposits, cash transactions, loan paperwork, or account services, should be completed before the holidays.
Makar Sankranti Holiday: Plan Ahead to Avoid Trouble
Since several bank holidays are scheduled in January 2026, customers are advised to check their local holiday list and plan their banking work in advance. This will help avoid any last-minute problems during the festive season.
Apart from festival holidays, banks will also stay closed on their regular weekly offs, which include all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. In addition, there is one nationwide bank holiday in January Republic Day on January 26 when banks across India will remain shut.
