Muharram 2026 Public Holiday: Will Banks, Schools, and Offices Be Closed Across India on June 26?

The Indian government has declared Friday, June 26, 2026, as a nationwide gazetted holiday in observance of Muharram. The holiday will trigger a three-day consecutive closure for stock markets, central government offices, and banking institutions in several states, as the public holiday leads directly into the fourth Saturday and Sunday of the month. While essential services will remain operational, public facilities and administrative operations across the country are adjusting schedules to accommodate the regional variations of the Islamic calendar.

National Closures and a 3-Day Market Weekend

All central government offices across India will remain shut on Friday, June 26. In tandem with the government schedule, the major domestic stock exchanges-the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)-will be fully closed for trading. This creates a continuous three-day weekend for financial markets, with trading scheduled to resume on Monday, June 29. Muharram 2026 Date, Ashura Significance and the History of Karbala Muharram 2026 Date, Ashura Significance and the History of Karbala.

Educational institutions and schools in most parts of the country are also expected to observe the holiday. However, local authorities have advised parents and students to verify closures directly with their respective institutions, as school schedules can vary based on state-level academic calendars.

State-Wise Banking Disruptions

Under the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through the Negotiable Instruments Act, physical banking services will be suspended on June 26 in key regions. Major financial hubs—including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata—will face closures.

The full list of states and union territories observing the banking holiday includes:

• North & East: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir.

• Central & West: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.

• South & Northeast: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram.

Because June 27 is the fourth Saturday of the month, followed by Sunday, June 28, physical branches in these participating states will remain inaccessible for three consecutive days. Online and mobile banking platforms, along with ATM networks, will continue to function normally during this period. Bank Holidays Next Week: Banks To Remain Closed for 3 Days Between June 22 and 28; Here’s Why.

Regional Differences and Historical Background

The start of Muharram—the sacred first month of the Hijri calendar, marking the Islamic New Year 1448 AH—is determined by the physical sighting of the crescent moon. Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sighted the moon a day earlier, leading them to observe the significant 10th day of Muharram, known as the Day of Ashura, on June 25. In India, the moon was sighted on June 17, placing the national commemoration on June 26.

The Day of Ashura carries immense, distinct historical and spiritual weight across different Islamic traditions. For Sunni Muslims, the day is traditionally observed with fasting to commemorate God saving Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh. For Shia Muslims, the day is an important period of solemn mourning, marking the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, where Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 09:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).