Bank Holiday News: Customers planning to visit banks on March 31, 2026, can breathe easy. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially withdrawn the bank holiday that was earlier scheduled on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. As a result, banks across the country will remain operational on this day, which marks the final date of the financial year 2025–26.

Traditionally, Mahavir Jayanti is observed as a bank holiday in several Indian states. However, considering the importance of March 31 for financial and government-related transactions, authorities have decided to keep banking services uninterrupted nationwide.

March 31 holds special significance in India’s financial calendar as it marks the closing day of the financial year. On this date, a large volume of critical transactions must be completed, including:

• Government receipts and payments




• Tax collections




• Budget-related settlements




• Reconciliation of public accounts

To ensure that these time-sensitive transactions are completed without delays, the central government requested that banks handling government business remain open on March 31. Acting on this request, the RBI issued fresh instructions directing all agency banks to operate fully on this date.

As a result, the Mahavir Jayanti bank holiday has been officially cancelled for 2026.

According to RBI’s clarification, all bank branches involved in government transactions will remain open on March 31, 2026. This decision applies across the country, regardless of regional holiday calendars.

Earlier, banks in multiple states were expected to remain closed due to Mahavir Jayanti. These states included Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Following the RBI’s latest directive, banks in all these regions will now function as usual.

Keeping banks open on the last day of the financial year is expected to offer major relief to individuals, businesses, and government departments. Customers will be able to complete important tasks such as:

• Income tax and other statutory payments




• Government fees and challan submissions




• Pension disbursements and subsidy-related work




• Transactions linked to government accounts




• Settlement of pending banking work before year-end

For taxpayers and business owners, this move is especially beneficial, as it reduces last-minute pressure and prevents transaction backlogs.

In addition to physical bank branches remaining open, digital banking services will continue to function normally. These include:

• Net banking




• Mobile banking applications




• UPI transactions




• ATM services

Customers are advised, however, to confirm branch-specific working hours with their respective banks, especially for services involving government accounts.

Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important festivals in Jainism. It commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara of the Jain faith. The day is widely observed across India, and several states usually declare a public holiday.

In 2026, however, the banking holiday has been set aside purely for administrative and financial reasons, ensuring smooth closure of the financial year.

• Banks will remain open on March 31, 2026




• Plan year-end transactions in advance to avoid queues




• Confirm services with your local branch if needed




• Use digital banking platforms wherever possible

The RBI’s decision to cancel the Mahavir Jayanti bank holiday underscores the importance of maintaining uninterrupted financial operations on the final day of the fiscal year. With banks remaining open nationwide on March 31, customers will be able to complete critical transactions without disruption, ensuring a smooth financial year-end for individuals, businesses, and government agencies alike.