Is It a Bank Holiday for Bhai Dooj 2025? Here’s the Simple Guide to October Closures

Today, Thursday, October 23, 2025, is Bhai Dooj Bank Holiday—the last day of the big Diwali festival. If you’re wondering if banks are open, the simple answer is: it depends on the state you live in.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) says that banks in several states are closed today for the festival, but they are open for regular business in others.

Where Banks Are Closed Today for Bhai Dooj

Banks are observing a holiday today in the following states to celebrate Bhai Dooj (also known as Bhratridwitiya) and other regional festivals like Chitragupta Jayanti, Ningol Chakkouba, and Laxmi Puja:

• Gujarat
• Sikkim
• Manipur
• Uttar Pradesh
• West Bengal
• Himachal Pradesh

If you live in one of these states and need to visit a bank branch, you won’t be able to today. It’s always best to check the RBI’s holiday list before heading out to avoid a wasted trip.

Who Decides Bank Holidays?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the main authority that sets the official bank holiday calendar each year.

The list includes holidays that are nationwide (like Republic Day or Gandhi Jayanti) and those that are region-specific (like Bhai Dooj or Chhath Puja), which depend on local customs and festival dates.

Digital Banking Works Everywhere!

Even if your local bank branch is closed, you can still manage almost all of your money tasks because digital banking services are fully open across the entire country.

You can use:

• UPI platforms (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm)
• Internet Banking and Mobile Banking apps
• ATMs for cash withdrawals

The only things you cannot do today are in-person services like:

• Depositing cash inside the branch
• Clearing cheques
• Getting a Demand Draft

Upcoming Bank Holidays in October 2025

Aside from today’s holiday, be aware of a few more days this month when some banks will be closed:

Note: On all other days and in all other regions, banks will be operating normally.

Important Chhath Puja Dates

Chhath Puja, a major festival for the Sun God (Surya Dev), runs from Saturday, October 25, and ends on Tuesday, October 28. Devotees in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh observe this festival with special prayers at sunrise and sunset.

Standard Weekend Bank Closures

Remember that bank branches are always closed on the following days every week:

• All Sundays
• The Second and Fourth Saturdays

Banks are open for business on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays, unless the RBI declares a special holiday.

Banking Services During the Festive Season

With a few holidays this month, it is smart to plan your financial tasks ahead of time. While digital transactions are immediate, physical tasks like applying for a loan or clearing a cheque may take longer due to the closures.

To make sure your banking runs smoothly, always use the digital tools available:

• Mobile apps and Internet banking for transfers and bill payments.
• ATMs or cash recyclers for cash deposits and withdrawals.

What About the Stock Market?

Unlike banks, the Indian stock market is open today, October 23. Both the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indices opened with strong gains, showing that trading activity is going on as usual.

New Banking Rules Starting November 1, 2025

The government is bringing in a big change on November 1, 2025, that affects all bank customers.

Under the new rules from the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025:

• You can now name up to four people as nominees for your bank accounts, lockers, and safe custody articles.
• Previously, you could only name one person.

This change is designed to make it much easier for families to settle claims and get access to funds when a loved one passes away. It is also a step towards reducing the massive amount of money (currently over $58,000$ crore) that is unclaimed in public sector banks.

Summary of Today’s Bank Holiday (October 23)

Bhai Dooj 2025 marks a brief pause in banking for a few states, but the world of digital transactions never stops. By staying updated on the RBI’s holiday calendar, you can make sure your money matters are handled without any problems during this festive season.

Do you have any physical bank tasks you need to get done, or are you happy to use online banking for everything?