Bank Holiday On Mahavir Jayanti: RBI Cancels 31 March Holiday: Here’s Why

Bank Holiday on Mahavir Jayanti: All agency banks will remain open on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti on March 31, according to a notification issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday. Mahavir Jayanti was earlier listed as a bank holiday, but the RBI has now clarified that banking operations will continue as usual on the day.

As per the RBI holiday calendar, there are a total of 11 bank holidays in March 2026, including Mahavir Jayanti. Here are all the details about RBI's latest notice on Mahavir Jayanti holiday.

Mahavir Jayanti Bank Holiday: Will Banks Remain Open On March 31?

The Government of India has made a request to keep all branches of the banks dealing with the government receipts and payments open for transactions on March 31, 2026. Hence, the RBI has advised agency banks to keep all their branches dealing with government business open on March 31.

"The Government of India has requested to keep all branches of the banks dealing with Government receipts and payments open for transactions on March 31, 2026 (Tuesday-Public Holiday) to account for all the Government transactions relating to receipts and payments in the Financial Year 2025-26 itself. Accordingly, Agency Banks are advised to keep all their branches dealing with government business open on March 31, 2026 (Tuesday)," read an RBI notice released on Tuesday.

While the RBI has notified that branches of all agency banks will remain open on March 31, bank customers must confirm with their branch officers before visiting on the mentioned day.

Bank Holiday On Mahavir Jayanti

The RBI holiday calendar had treated March 31, 2026, as a Mahavir Jayanti. Banks will remain open in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, New Delhi, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

The Union government has asked banks that deal with government receipts and payments to operate on March 31, 2026. Officials want every inflow and outflow recorded within Financial Year 2025-26 itself. Following this request, the RBI has instructed all agency banks to keep such branches open that day.

This change means customers in affected states may still see March 31, 2026 printed as a holiday in older calendars. However, branches linked with government business must work as usual. Other branches within the same banks may also choose to operate, depending on internal directions.

Bank Holiday In February

Banks will remain closed on February 18 in Sikkim for Losar. On February 19, 2026, banks in Maharashtra will remain shut for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti. On February 20, 2026, banks will remain closed in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh for State Day or Statehood Day.

Bank Holidays in March

As per the RBI holiday calendar, banks will remain shut for more than ten days in March. Banks in certain regions will be closed on March 2 for Holika Dahan, on March 3 for Holi (Second Day)/Dol Jatra/Dhulandi/Holika Dahan, on March 4 for Holi/Holi 2nd Day - Dhuleti/Yaosang 2nd Day, on March 13 for Chapchar Kut, on March 17 for Shab-I-Qadr, on March 19 for Gudhi Gudhi Padwa/Ugadi Festival/Telugu New Year's Day/Sajibu Nongmapanba (Cheiraoba)/1st Navratra, on March 20 for Eid-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan)/Jumat-ul-Vida, on March 26 for Shree Ram Navami, on March 27 for Shree Ram Navami (Chaite Dasain).