Bank Holiday Alert: Will Banks Remain Closed on May 27 or 28 for Bakrid? Confusion Grows Across States
Confusion surrounding Bakrid bank holidays has increased this year as different states across India have announced closures on different dates. Customers planning to visit banks for important work are being advised to check their state-wise holiday schedule carefully before heading to a branch.
Bakrid, also known as Eid al-Adha, is one of the major Islamic festivals observed across the country. However, because the festival date depends on the sighting of the moon, holiday schedules often vary between states. This year, the confusion has become bigger after multiple governments revised their holiday notifications at the last moment.
Many people are now asking the same question: Will banks remain closed on May 27 or May 28, 2026?
Why Is There Confusion Over the Bakrid Holiday?Initially, the Central Government had declared May 27, 2026, as the official holiday for Bakrid. However, later the holiday for central government offices in Delhi was shifted to May 28.
Following this change, the Telangana government also revised its notification and moved the Bakrid holiday from May 27 to May 28.
As a result, bank holidays are now being observed on different dates in different states, leading to confusion among customers and businesses alike.
States Where Banks Will Remain Closed on May 27According to the updated holiday schedule, banks are expected to remain closed on May 27, 2026, in the following states and regions:
- Tripura
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chandigarh
- Uttarakhand
- Assam
- Andhra Pradesh
- Manipur
- Jammu
- Kerala
- Nagaland
- West Bengal
- Uttar Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Jharkhand
- Meghalaya
- Himachal Pradesh
- Srinagar
Customers in these regions are advised to complete urgent banking work before the holiday.
Banks are expected to remain shut on May 28, 2026, in the following states:
- Mizoram
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Rajasthan
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Goa
- Meghalaya
- Bihar
Bank customers in these states should plan branch visits accordingly to avoid inconvenience.
Why Do Bank Holidays Differ Across States?Under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, Bakrid is recognized as an official bank holiday. However, unlike fixed-date holidays, Eid al-Adha is determined based on moon sighting.
Because moon visibility may differ across regions, state governments often announce or revise holidays depending on local religious observations. This is why some states may observe the holiday on one day while others shift it to the next.
Experts say such differences are common during major Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Will Online Banking Services Continue?Even though physical bank branches may remain closed, digital banking services will continue functioning normally during the holiday period.
Customers will still be able to use:
- UPI services
- Mobile banking apps
- Internet banking
- ATMs
- Digital fund transfers
- Debit and credit card services
This means essential banking transactions can still be completed without visiting a branch.
Important Advice for Bank CustomersFinancial experts recommend that customers avoid waiting until the last minute for important banking tasks during festival holidays.
If you need services related to:
- Cash deposits
- Cheque clearance
- Loan documentation
- Demand drafts
- KYC updates
- Branch verification
it is advisable to confirm your local branch schedule in advance.
Holiday-related closures can also impact processing timelines for:
- NEFT and RTGS settlements in some cases
- Loan approvals
- Cheque processing
- Government-related banking work
- Offline account services
Businesses, traders, and salaried individuals are therefore being advised to plan transactions carefully around the Bakrid holiday schedule.
With different states observing closures on either May 27 or May 28 this year, checking the local bank holiday calendar has become especially important before making any branch visit plans.