Bank Holiday Today, 18 February: All public and private sector banks will be open today on 18 February except Sikkim, where there is a bank holiday today for Losar.
Since there is a bank holiday today in Sikkim due to Losar, lenders including SBI, HDFC Bank, PNB, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and others will remain closed in the state. However, banks will be open everywhere else in India.
How are bank holidays decided?
Bank holidays in India are decided by the Reserve Bank of India, which publishes the RBI bank holiday calendar at the beginning of every year.
Bank holidays are followed as per the RBI bank holiday calendar.
The RBI categorises all bank holidays into three parts, namely, Negotiable Instruments Act, Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays and banks’ closing of accounts.
Bank holidays vary from region to region depending upon the festivals and observances there. However, all banks observe holidays on national holidays like Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.
Apart from these, banks remain closed on second and fourth Saturdays, and all Sundays of every month.
Losar 2026
Losar is a Tibetan festival, celebrated largely in states like Sikkim. Celebrated by Buddhists, Losar holiday is a new year’s festival, celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar.
Losar predates the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet and has its roots in a winter incense-burning custom of the Bon religion.
Losar is being celebrated in India from 18 February to 20 February this year. The first three days of the festival are considered crucial.
The first day is said to be Lama-Losar, people visit monasteries, pay respect to the Lamas and receive their blessings. The first day is usually spent with family members only.
Remaining bank holidays in February
Apart from the weekend holidays, there are just three bank holidays in February. Here is a list of the remaining bank holidays in February.
February 18 — Wednesday — Bank holiday in Gangtok, Sikkim for Losar, a festival celebrated by the Tibetan community.
February 19 — Thursday — There will be a bank holiday in Mumbai, Nagpur and Belapur in Maharashtra on occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti.
February 20 — Friday — Bank holiday in Aizawl (Mizoram), Imphal (Manipur) on account of State Day / Statehood Day celebrations.
February 22 — Sunday — Pan India holiday for Sunday weekend.
February 28 — Saturday — Pan India holiday on account of fourth Saturday.
What to do during emergency on bank holiday?
Emergencies do not come with prior announcements and you may find yourself in dire need of cash. However, there is no need to worry.
You must note that all banking options do not close on bank holidays. Digital banking services remain fully functional on all days irrespective of branch operations. Customers can withdraw cash from ATMs, make payments using UPI and use the internet and mobile banking services. This implies that daily digital transactions continue without any disruption.
