Pongal 2026 Bank Holiday: The year 2026 has begun with a festivities spirit. January has major harvest celebrations across India. Many festivals like Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal will be celebrated in this month. Because of this, many bank holidays in January 2026 can be observed.
Among these Pongal, one of the most important festivals in South India, will result in several bank holidays, especially in Tamil Nadu and nearby southern states. These holidays are decided under the Negotiable Instruments Act and are announced city-wise and state-wise depending on local traditions and festival calendars.
Pongal 2026 Bank Holiday: Important Holiday Dates
Banks will remain closed in different parts of the country between January 14 and January 17 due to Pongal and related festivals.
-
January 15 is observed as Pongal, Uttarayana Punyakala, and Makara Sankranti, making it a bank holiday in several cities.
-
January 16 is celebrated as Thiruvalluvar Day and Kanuma in some states, leading to bank closures.
-
January 17, marked as Uzhavar Thirunal, will also be a holiday in select regions.
Are Banks Open or Closed During Pongal Week?
Here is how bank holidays are spread across different states during the festive period:
January 14 (Wednesday)
Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu will be celebrated in:
-
Arunachal Pradesh
-
Assam
-
Gujarat
-
Odisha
Banks in these states will remain closed.
January 15 (Thursday)
Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti / Makara Sankranti will be observed in:
-
Karnataka
-
Sikkim
-
Tamil Nadu
-
Telangana
Banks in these states will remain shut.
January 16 (Friday)
Thiruvalluvar Day / Kanuma will be marked in:
-
Tamil Nadu
-
Andhra Pradesh
Banks in these states will be closed.
Bank Holidays: State wise list for Bank Holiday
-
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana will also observe Sankranti-related bank holidays, although the exact date may vary by local custom.
-
Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan will close banks on January 14 for Sankranti or Uttarayan.
-
Assam will have a bank holiday on January 14 for Magh Bihu, an important harvest festival.
-
Other nearby states may also announce closures depending on their local festival schedules.
Other Important Bank Holidays Dates in January 2026
Apart from Pongal and Sankranti, there are a few more important bank holidays:
-
January 23 – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
-
January 26 – Republic Day (nationwide bank holiday)
Banks will also remain closed on:
-
All Sundays
-
Second and fourth Saturdays of the month, as per RBI rules
Pongal 2026 Bank Holiday: Digital Banking Will Continue
Even when bank branches are closed, customers can continue to use:
-
UPI
-
Mobile banking
-
Internet banking
-
ATMs
Since many bank holidays are scheduled in January 2026, customers are advised to check their state-wise holiday list and plan important banking work ahead of time. This will help avoid any inconvenience during the festive season.