If you were planning a quick bank visit today and assumed everything would be shut for Mahavir Jayanti, you may want to pause. While it is officially a bank holiday in many states, not all bank branches are actually closed.
The RBI, in its February 12, 2026 notification, stated that the Government of India had asked banks dealing with government transactions to stay open on March 31, 2026, to ensure all receipts and payments are recorded within FY 2025–26.
Even within these agency banks, only specific branches that handle government business are functioning. Regular customer services may be limited or unavailable in many cases.
Most public sector banks and a few private banks fall under this category. They receive a commission from the RBI for managing such work.
If you are visiting a bank today for personal work, it is best to check in advance whether your branch is open and what services are available.
For most people, digital banking remains the easiest option. Online services such as fund transfers, bill payments and tax payments are expected to continue without disruption.
March 31 is the last day of the financial year. All government accounts need to be settled before the books close for the year.
That is the reason behind this exception, i.e., even on a holiday, some bank branches are open, ensuring that the government’s financial records are completed on time.