YTC Ventures | Technocrat’ Magazine
November 2, 2025
As the crisp autumn air ushers in November 2025, India is gearing up for a vibrant tapestry of festivals, cultural celebrations, and spiritual observances that promise to light up the month.
From the joyous echoes of Diwali lingering into regional harvest festivities to the serene glow of full moon rituals, this November brings a welcome pause for many. But for those juggling salaries, loans, and everyday transactions, these holidays mean more than just family time—they signal a series of bank closures that could disrupt your financial plans.
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s official holiday calendar for the 2025-26 fiscal year, banks across the country will observe five major holidays in November, in addition to the routine closures on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays.
While physical branches will shutter, digital banking—think UPI transfers, mobile apps, and ATMs—remains your reliable ally, ensuring seamless access 24/7. So, before you dive into the festivities, let’s unpack the key dates, what they mean, and how to stay ahead.
The Holiday Lineup: State-Wise Highlights
November’s bank holidays are a mix of national and regional gems, reflecting India’s kaleidoscopic diversity. Here’s a snapshot of the standout closures:
- November 1 (Saturday): Kannada Rajyotsava & Igas-Bagwal
Kicking off the month with regional pride, banks in Karnataka will close for Kannada Rajyotsava, commemorating the state’s linguistic unification in 1956—a day of poetry, processions, and Kannada pride. Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, it’s Igas-Bagwal (or Budhi Deepawali), a post-Diwali harvest festival where families light lamps to honor agricultural bounty. Pro tip: This coincides with the first Saturday, so treat it as a long weekend starter. - November 5 (Wednesday): Guru Nanak Jayanti, Kartika Purnima, & Rahas Purnima
A nationwide spiritual highlight, Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the birth of Sikhism’s founder with akhand paths (continuous scripture readings), langars (community kitchens), and illuminated gurdwaras. Banks in multiple regions—including Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kohima, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla, and Srinagar—will observe closures for this, alongside Kartika Purnima (full moon rituals) and Rahas Purnima in select areas. Expect traffic around religious sites, but it’s a perfect day for reflection and family feasts. - November 8 (Saturday): Kanakadasa Jayanti & Second Saturday Off
In Bengaluru (Karnataka), banks honor Kanakadasa Jayanti, celebrating the 16th-century poet-saint who championed devotion through simple bhakti hymns. This overlaps with the mandatory second Saturday closure, amplifying the downtime. - November 15 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday Off
No festive flair here—just the standard RBI-mandated holiday for the fourth Saturday, giving staff a breather amid the month’s whirl. - November 23 (Sunday): Wangala Festival
A rhythmic harvest celebration in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills, Wangala features 100-drum beats, dances, and thanksgiving to the sun god for bountiful crops. Banks there will join the weekly Sunday off, turning it into a cultural immersion day.
Adding up the routine offs, that’s 11 total closure days across India, varying by state.
For a quick reference, here’s a state-wise table of the non-routine holidays:
| Date | Holiday/Event | States/Regions Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 | Kannada Rajyotsava | Karnataka |
| Nov 1 | Igas-Bagwal (Budhi Deepawali) | Uttarakhand |
| Nov 5 | Guru Nanak Jayanti/Kartika Purnima | Most states (e.g., Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Mizoram, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir) |
| Nov 8 | Kanakadasa Jayanti | Karnataka (Bengaluru) |
| Nov 23 | Wangala Festival | Meghalaya |
Why These Holidays Matter—and How to Plan Around Them
November’s closures aren’t just dates on a calendar; they’re threads in India’s cultural fabric. Guru Nanak Jayanti, for instance, underscores themes of equality and service that resonate in today’s diverse society, while regional events like Wangala highlight indigenous traditions amid climate challenges for farmers. Yet, for the average Indian, they pose practical hurdles: delayed cheque clearances or missed FD deadlines.
The RBI’s foresight in standardizing second/fourth Saturdays since 2015 has eased some pain, but state variations keep things unpredictable. To navigate:
- Check Locally: Use the RBI’s website or your bank’s app for state-specific updates—holidays can shift slightly due to lunar calendars.
- Go Digital: NEFT/RTGS/IMPS run uninterrupted, so queue up transfers in advance.
- Year-End Tip: With Diwali’s glow fading, use these breaks to review portfolios before December’s tax rush.
As November unfolds, embrace the pause—these holidays remind us that amidst the rush of EMIs and investments, there’s space for joy, reflection, and maybe a plate of karasev.
Happy banking (or non-banking)!
For the full RBI calendar, refer to official RBI publications. Sources: RBI via Times of India, Mint, Zee News.
Bank Holidays in December 2025: Wrapping Up the Year with Festive Cheer
December 2025 caps off a dynamic year with a shorter but sweeter list of bank holidays in India, dominated by the universal warmth of Christmas and a smattering of regional farewells. Per the RBI’s guidelines, expect one national holiday alongside routine closures, totaling around 8-9 days off depending on your state. Digital services? As always, fully operational.Key December Closures
- December 13 (Saturday): Second Saturday Off – Standard RBI holiday.
- December 20 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday Off – Another routine breather.
- December 25 (Thursday): Christmas Day – A gazetted national holiday observed nationwide. Banks close for midnight masses, carol singing, and family gatherings celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth. It’s a time of gifts, plum cake, and interfaith harmony across India.
- Regional Notes: Look for state-specific days like Losar (Tibetan New Year) in Sikkim or other restricted holidays (up to 9 total), but nothing nationwide beyond Christmas. Sundays (7, 14, 21, 28) round out the offs.
No closure on December 31—banks stay open for last-minute year-end hustles, though some branches might wrap early.
Plan taxes and investments now; 2026 awaits!Full list via RBI. Stay festive, stay solvent.
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