Bank Holiday in May: 12 Days Banks Will Be Shut Across India

Banks to Be Closed for 12 Days in May 2025: Plan Your Journey Accordingly

Now that May 2025 has arrived, travellers and financial planners throughout India must be aware of a very important announcement: banks will be closed for 12 days this month, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar. After the recent celebrations of Akshaya Tritiya on April 30, 2025, summer vacations are now in full swing, and hence this is a peak season for traveling. Whether you plan to visit hill stations around Delhi NCR or religious places, these bank holidays can influence your financial planning. Here’s everything you need to know to have a hassle-free vacation experience in May 2025.

Why Banks Are Closed for 12 Days?

The 12-day May 2025 holiday is a mix of national holidays, state holidays, and regular weekend off-days. These have been outlined by the RBI under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which includes Sundays, the second and fourth Saturdays, and special cultural festivals. This longer break is a reflection of the rich and diverse cultural calendar of India, where the holidays change from state to state. Although the bank branches will be shut, international ATMs and online banking will be active, though offering some reprieve to tourists over the April-May holidays.

List of Bank Holidays in May 2025

Below is a comprehensive list of the 12 days the banks will be closed in May 2025:

• Thursday, May 1: Labour Day and Maharashtra Day will shut down banks in metro towns such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. The national holiday celebrates workers’ labor and the establishment of the Maharashtra state.
• Friday, May 9: Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti will shut down banks in Kolkata to commemorate the birthday anniversary of the great poet and Nobel winner.
• May 12 (Monday): Urban area banks such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow will be closed on Buddha Purnima, a significant Buddhist holiday, celebrating the birth of Lord Buddha.
• May 13 (Tuesday): Second Saturday, a regular banking holiday across the country.
• May 20 (Tuesday): Sikkim State Day will close Sikkim’s banks, celebrating the establishment of the state.
• May 26 (Monday): Fourth Saturday, one of the official bank holidays.
• May 27 (Tuesday): Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti will make the banks of West Bengal close in memory of the great poet.
• May 29 (Thursday): Maharana Pratap Jayanti
• May 30 (Friday): Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji’s Martyrdom Day

These dates are based on the RBI’s official calendar, but regional variations may apply, so it’s advisable to confirm with your local bank branch.

Impact on Vacation Planning

With banks shut for 12 days, prudent money management is the key, particularly during the peak summer holiday season. As most visits to tourist spots like Manali or Rishikesh will require paying in cash at roadside eateries or establishments that have few digital payment outlets, cheque clearing or loan approval might also be last-minute travel outgo. For those who are making spiritual pilgrimages near Akshaya Tritiya and extending travel into May now, it is important to make sure that there is arrangement for finances beforehand so that it will not be affected. May

Travel Spots to Explore

The nice weather in May provides a great time to travel to cooler places.
Hill stations such as Shimla (350 km from Delhi) and Mussoorie (290 km) are the destinations to seek respite from the heat, as the temperature varies from 10°C to 28°C. These destinations are ideal for family holidays with activities such as trekking, sightseeing, and local cuisine to sample. Or, nature enthusiasts could travel to Nainital (310 km from Delhi) with its peaceful lakes and green hills, or Jim Corbett National Park (260 km) for jungle safaris. As banks are closed, make sure to have sufficient cash or utilize digital wallets because ATMs in tourist locations might get empty during peak season.

Practical Vacationer Tips

To effectively deal with your finances during these bank closures, follow these practical tips:

• Advance Plan: Withdraw enough cash or make necessary bank transactions, like bill payments, prior to May 1. Online banking can be helpful, but keep your accounts well-funded.
• Carry Extra Cash: Keep plenty of cash for small transactions, particularly in rural or hilly terrain where digital payments won’t be that common.
• Utilize Digital Tools: Utilize UPI, net banking, and mobile apps for payment, and activate auto-payments for recurring bills to enjoy uninterrupted ones.
• Verify Local Schedules: Confirm with your bank if there are any other local holidays since some states have unscheduled ones.
• Travel Smart: Travel light and don’t rely on in-person banking services while traveling.

Benefits of Digital Banking During Closures

Even as bank branches get closed, a tourist’s sole dependence comes from online banking facilities. Withdrawing money or depositing balance through mobile banking applications provides fiscal independence on the move. Access to ATMs is also present, though smart to find the nearest ones prior in distant locales. This technologizing of the bank reflects on how digital banking has been truly game-changing in allowing easy financial access even while the holidaying days are at large.

What To Watch Out For

Look out for problems at the time of such shut-downs. ATMs in tourist areas can run out of cash or have queues, particularly near major events like Buddha Purnima. Network congestion could slow down digital transactions, so prepare for back-ups. Rural bank branches will also be sluggish to process during festivals, so it is best to have important money work done at the beginning of the month.