March 2026 Holidays in India: Bank & Public Holiday Calendar

March 2026 is one of the busiest holiday months of the year, Holi, Ugadi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami, and Mahavir Jayanti all fall within a few weeks of each other. Here's the full list of public and bank holidays, so you can plan your travel, EMIs, and banking tasks in advance.

Public Holidays in March 2026

Eid-ul-Fitr dates are subject to moon sighting and may shift by a day in some regions.

Bank Holidays in March 2026

This is a general pan-India list. Bank holidays vary by state under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, always confirm with your specific bank branch, especially around the Eid-ul-Fitr and Ram Navami dates, which shift city to city.

Key Festivals This Month

Holi (March 4): Holi marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, celebrated with colours, water, and festive food across the country. Holika Dahan, the bonfire ritual the evening before, symbolically burns away negativity. Most banks and many businesses close for the day.

Ugadi / Gudi Padwa (March 19): The lunisolar new year, celebrated as Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Goa, and marking the start of Chaitra Navratri elsewhere. Homes are decorated, and the day is considered auspicious for new beginnings.

Eid-ul-Fitr (March 20–21): Marking the end of the Ramadan fasting month, Eid-ul-Fitr is observed with prayers, family gatherings, and festive meals. The exact date depends on the sighting of the new moon, so some states observe it a day apart from others.

Ram Navami (March 26–27): Celebrating the birth of Lord Ram, Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri and is marked with temple visits, readings, and processions, particularly significant in Ayodhya.

Mahavir Jayanti (March 31): This day marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, and is observed with prayers, charitable acts, and temple ceremonies within the Jain community.

Planning Around This Month's Holidays

With banks closed for 11+ days across March 2026, several of them stacking into two- and three-day stretches, cheque clearances, branch-dependent KYC, and loan disbursals slow down considerably in the days around March 2–4, March 19–22, and March 26–29. If you're planning to apply for a personal loan, top up an existing one, or need funds before a holiday-linked expense (travel, a family function, or a purchase), it's worth getting your offer checked and approved before these stretches begin, since a soft-inquiry check and pre-approval through CreditMitra don't depend on branch hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holi a bank holiday in March 2026?

Yes. Holi (Dhulandi) falls on March 4, 2026, and is a gazetted bank holiday across most of India, with related Holika Dahan closures on March 2–3 in several cities.

Is March 21, 2026 a bank holiday everywhere in India?

In most states, yes, for Eid-ul-Fitr. A few cities may observe it a day earlier (March 20) or differ slightly depending on local moon sighting, so it's worth confirming with your specific bank branch.

Is March 23, 2026 a bank holiday?

No. March 23 is Shaheed Diwas (Bhagat Singh Martyrdom Day), an important observance in India, but it is not a scheduled bank holiday.

Is March 30, 2026 a bank holiday?

No, March 30, 2026 is a regular working day for banks. The next bank holiday after that is March 31 (Mahavir Jayanti) in several states.

When is Ram Navami in 2026?

Ram Navami falls on March 26, 2026, with related closures continuing into March 27 in some cities for Chaite Dasain.

Is March 31, 2026 a bank holiday in my state?

It depends on your state. Mahavir Jayanti is observed as a bank holiday in states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, check the table above for your city.