Bank Holiday Today, August 8, 2026? Check if Banks Are Open or Closed This Saturday
All bank branches in India will be closed today, August 8, as it is the second Saturday of the month - a mandatory RBI holiday. While branches are shut, digital services, UPI, and ATMs remain fully operational. Note that August 15 (Independence Day) and August 22 (fourth Saturday) are also bank holidays this month.
If you are planning a visit to your bank branch this weekend, take note: all bank branches across India will remain closed on Saturday, August 8. As August 8 falls on the second Saturday of the month, it is designated as a mandatory public holiday for the banking sector under the guidelines set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Why Are Banks Closed on Saturday, August 8?
In 2015, the Reserve Bank of India introduced a policy mandating that all commercial banks - including public sector, private sector, foreign, cooperative, and regional rural banks - remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. While the first, third, and fifth Saturdays (if applicable) are regular working days for bank staff, the second and fourth Saturdays are treated as holidays. Bank Holidays List August 2026: RBI Holiday Calendar With Dates for Weekend Offs.
Consequently, customers requiring in-person services such as cheque clearing, demand draft issuance, or large cash transactions must plan their visits around these scheduled closures.
Status of Saturdays in August 2026
The month of August 2026 contains five Saturdays. Below is the operating status for bank branches on these dates:
| Date | Day | Status | Reason |
| August 1 | First Saturday | Open | Regular working day |
| August 8 | Second Saturday | Closed | RBI-mandated holiday |
| August 15 | Third Saturday | Closed | Independence Day (National Holiday) |
| August 22 | Fourth Saturday | Closed | RBI-mandated holiday |
| August 29 | Fifth Saturday | Open | Regular working day |
Note: In addition to the second and fourth Saturdays, August 15 (Independence Day) is a national holiday, resulting in a total of three non-working Saturdays for banks this month.
Accessing Services During Holidays
While physical branches will be shuttered, essential banking services remain unaffected. Customers can continue to use digital infrastructure throughout the holiday, including:
- Net Banking and Mobile Banking Apps: For fund transfers (NEFT/IMPS/RTGS), bill payments, and account management.
- UPI Services: For instant peer-to-peer and merchant payments.
- ATMs: For cash withdrawals and basic balance inquiries. Stock Market Holidays in August 2026: Full List of NSE and BSE Closures.
The RBI advises customers to complete time-sensitive branch-related tasks before the weekend or wait until the following Monday to avoid any inconvenience.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2026 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).