May’s rolling in, and with it comes a patchwork of bank holidays that’ll have branches bolted shut across India. If you’re planning to hit the bank for a loan, a deposit, or just to sort out that pesky paperwork, you’d better mark your calendar. The Reserve Bank of India’s holiday list, carved out with precision, lays down the law on when banks go dark. It’s a mix of national observances, regional festivals, and state-specific quirks, so let’s cut through the fog and get to the nitty-gritty.
First up, May 1, 2025, is Labour Day, or Maharashtra Day in some circles. It’s a big one. Banks in places like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and a dozen other hubs—think Nagpur, Patna, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram—will have their shutters down. If you’re in Belapur, Imphal, or Panaji, don’t bother trekking to the ATM either; the whole operation’s on pause. This one’s a salute to workers and a nod to Maharashtra’s founding, so it’s no small deal in those regions.
Then there’s May 12, Buddha Purnima, the full-moon day marking Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing. Banks across the country, from Delhi to Daman, will be closed. It’s a national holiday, no exceptions, rooted in India’s cultural bedrock. Whether you’re in a bustling metro or a quiet corner like Agartala, plan ahead—your banker’s taking the day off.
May 13 brings another round of closures in Karnataka. It’s Basava Jayanti, celebrating the 12th-century philosopher and social reformer Basavanna. If you’re in Bengaluru or anywhere else in the state, banks won’t budge. This one’s specific to Karnataka, so don’t expect the same in, say, Chennai or Lucknow.
Fast forward to May 23, and Jammu’s got its own holiday. Banks there will lock up for a state-specific observance, though the exact reason’s tied to local tradition and isn’t splashed across national headlines. If you’re in the region, check with your branch early—Jammu’s not playing around.
Now, the fine print: Sundays fall on May 4, 11, 18, and 25, and banks everywhere will be closed as usual. The second and fourth Saturdays—May 10 and 24—are also no-go zones, per the RBI’s standard playbook. That’s four weekends already eating into your banking plans. Add in the Real-Time Gross Settlement holidays, which match the Negotiable Instruments Act holidays, and you’ve got a tight window for big transactions.
State-wise, it’s a jigsaw. Uttar Pradesh, for instance, joins the May 1 and May 12 closures but skips the Karnataka-specific May 13 holiday. Gujarat’s banks will be open on May 13 but closed on May 1 and 12, like clockwork. Tripura, Mizoram, and Chandigarh follow the national holidays but don’t have extra regional ones tacked on. If you’re in Sikkim, brace for May 16—Saga Dawa, a Buddhist festival, shuts banks there, and only there. The RBI’s list is clear: no two states are exactly alike.
For the full count, banks in some states will be closed up to 12 days in May, factoring in weekends, national holidays, and regional oddballs. Mumbai and Bengaluru top the list with the most closures, while smaller states like Lakshadweep stick closer to the national minimum. If you’re planning a visit, online banking’s your friend—most services, from transfers to bill payments, won’t skip a beat, but don’t count on in-person help when the doors are locked.
Here’s the raw breakdown: May 1 (Labour Day/Maharashtra Day in select states), May 12 (Buddha Purnima, nationwide), May 13 (Basava Jayanti in Karnataka), May 16 (Saga Dawa in Sikkim), May 23 (Jammu-specific holiday), plus Sundays (May 4, 11, 18, 25) and second/fourth Saturdays (May 10, 24). Check your state’s RBI calendar or your bank’s notice board for the final word.