A wave of confusion is spreading among customers after reports claimed that banks across India will remain closed from 18 to 22 February 2026. With social media posts triggering panic about ATM access, cheque clearances, and salary credits, many account holders are rushing to verify whether the Reserve Bank of India has truly ordered a nationwide shutdown.
Here is the real story behind the Bank Holiday Alert and what it means for you.
Is RBI Shutting All Banks from 18 to 22 February 2026?
The claim that all banks will remain completely shut for five continuous days across India is misleading. The Reserve Bank of India issues an annual holiday calendar, but closures are usually state specific and depend on regional festivals, second and fourth Saturdays, and Sundays.
Between 18 and 22 February 2026, some states may observe local holidays due to regional festivals or administrative observances. However, this does not automatically mean a nationwide closure of all branches.
Customers should understand that bank holidays in India are not uniform across all states unless they are national holidays such as Republic Day or Independence Day.
Why Multiple Bank Holidays Can Fall Together
In some months, a combination of regional festivals, weekend closures, and scheduled second or fourth Saturdays can result in several consecutive non-working days for physical bank branches.
This often creates confusion because:
- Sundays are weekly bank holidays
- Second and fourth Saturdays are officially non-working days
- Regional festivals vary by state
- Some states observe additional public holidays
When these overlap, certain regions may experience 3 to 5 days of branch closure, but digital banking services remain active.
Will ATMs, UPI, and Online Banking Stop Working?
No. Even during official bank holidays, digital services continue to operate normally. Platforms linked to systems regulated by the National Payments Corporation of India, including UPI, IMPS, and RuPay card transactions, function without interruption.
ATM withdrawals, mobile banking apps, internet banking transfers, and UPI payments will remain available unless there is scheduled maintenance.
Customers are advised to complete high-value cheque deposits or branch-dependent services in advance if their state has a notified holiday during this period.
State Wise Holiday Differences Matter
India follows a state-specific banking holiday structure. For example, a festival observed in one state may not be a holiday in another. Therefore, while branches in one region may remain closed from 18 to 22 February, branches in another state could operate normally except on standard weekend holidays.
Always verify the official RBI holiday calendar for your specific state before assuming a shutdown.
What Should Customers Do Now?
If you have important financial transactions planned during this period, check with your local branch regarding working days. Salary credits, EMI auto-debits, and online transfers will not be impacted. However, services like locker access, demand draft issuance, or in-person verification will require branch availability.
Planning ahead avoids unnecessary inconvenience.
Conclusion
The claim that RBI is shutting all banks nationwide from 18 to 22 February 2026 is not entirely accurate. While multiple holidays may fall together in certain states, digital banking services will continue to function without disruption. Customers should verify state-specific holiday schedules rather than relying on viral messages.
Staying informed is the best way to avoid panic and manage your banking needs smoothly.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers should confirm exact holiday dates from official RBI notifications or their respective bank branches.