Today, December 27, 2025, is a Saturday, and it marks the fourth Saturday of the month. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, all scheduled and non-scheduled banks across India observe a nationwide holiday on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. This rule has been in place for years to provide banking staff with fixed weekends off, in addition to Sundays.
As a result, bank branches throughout the country are closed today, regardless of any regional festivals or events. This applies to public sector banks (like SBI, PNB), private banks (like HDFC, ICICI, Axis), regional rural banks, and cooperative banks.
Key Reasons for Today’s Closure:
- Primary Reason: Fourth Saturday holiday (uniform across India).
- No Additional Festival Overlap for Nationwide Closure: While Christmas was celebrated on December 25 (a Thursday, with nationwide bank closure), and some northeastern states had extended holidays on December 26 for post-Christmas celebrations, December 27’s closure is solely due to the fourth Saturday rule.
- In a few states like Nagaland, there might be overlapping regional observances, but the fourth Saturday ensures closure everywhere.
What Services Remain Available?
Even though physical branches are shut, most essential banking services continue uninterrupted:
- Online Banking and Mobile Apps: Net banking, fund transfers, bill payments, etc.
- UPI and Digital Payments: Fully operational for transactions via Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM, etc.
- ATMs: Cash withdrawals and balance inquiries are available (though it’s wise to check for any local maintenance).
- NEFT/RTGS/IMPS: These settlement systems function as usual on non-holiday processing days.
Customers are advised to use digital channels for urgent needs, such as salary credits, EMI deductions, or payments, which will process normally.
Confirmation from Reliable Sources:
- RBI Official Policy: The RBI’s holiday matrix explicitly states that banks observe public holidays on second and fourth Saturdays.
- Major News Outlets (as of December 27, 2025 reports):
- The Economic Times: “Banks are closed on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month.”
- Livemint: “Banks across India are closed today, Saturday, 27 December, as this is the fourth Saturday of the month.”
- News18: “Today, December 27, is the last Saturday of the month and is a bank holiday. So, bank branches will remain closed today throughout the country.”
- Indian Express and others: Nationwide closure confirmed due to the fourth Saturday rule.
If you have branch-specific work (like cheque deposits, locker access, or document submission), plan for the next working day—likely Monday, December 29, 2025 (as December 28 is a Sunday).
For state-specific variations or upcoming holidays (e.g., New Year’s Eve closures in Mizoram/Manipur on December 31), always cross-check the official RBI holiday calendar or your bank’s website/app.