Bank Holiday on October 2: What Remains Open and Available on Gandhi Jayanti
Bank branches across India will remain closed on Friday, October 2 for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, as per the RBI holiday calendar, though digital services and ATMs will operate normally. Customers will be unable to carry out counter-dependent transactions - such as physical cheque clearances, demand draft issuances, safe deposit locker access, or branch-specific documentation processing - on October 2.
Bank branches across India will remain closed on Friday, October 2, in observance of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, according to the official holiday calendar released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). As October begins, the nationwide holiday marks the first major bank closure of the month, halting physical branch operations before a series of regional festival and weekend breaks take effect.
RBI Holiday Guidelines for October 2
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is classified under the Negotiable Instruments Act as a national public holiday. Consequently, all public sector, private, foreign, and cooperative banks nationwide will keep their physical branches shut on this date. Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Why We Celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday.
Customers will be unable to carry out counter-dependent transactions - such as physical cheque clearances, demand draft issuances, safe deposit locker access, or branch-specific documentation processing - on October 2.
Availability of Digital and Online Banking Services
While physical branches remain closed for the national holiday, core banking infrastructure will not experience a complete shutdown. As per standard RBI guidelines, digital and automated financial services will continue to function normally. Customers can utilise:
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for instant peer-to-peer or merchant transfers.
- Mobile Banking Applications and Internet Banking Portals to check account balances, initiate fund transfers, and pay utility bills.
- Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for cash withdrawals and basic deposits.
- NEFT and RTGS systems, which operate continuously via digital channels.
Context and Upcoming October Bank Holidays
The closure on October 2 kicks off a busy month for the banking sector, which will see multiple regional and national holidays due to upcoming festive celebrations like Durga Puja, Dussehra, and Diwali. Bank Holidays in October 2026: Full State-Wise RBI Holiday List & Closed Dates.
In addition to national holidays, RBI guidelines mandate that all scheduled and unscheduled banks remain closed on Sundays as well as the second Saturday (October 10) and fourth Saturday (October 24) of the month. Financial experts advise citizens to check the specific city- and state-wise RBI holiday matrix before planning physical visits to bank branches throughout October.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2026 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
