Confusion over bank and school closures during Lohri, Makar Sankranti and winter vacations has left many citizens uncertain about branch operations and class schedules on January 14 and 15, with holidays varying sharply by state.
There has been widespread uncertainty among bank customers and parents over mid-January closures, particularly around Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and ongoing winter vacations in northern India. Why mid-January closures are causing confusion
There has been widespread uncertainty among bank customers and parents across India over mid-January closures, driven by a mix of regional festivals, winter vacations and cold wave advisories. Unlike national holidays, bank and school closures during this period are not uniform, leading to confusion about whether institutions are open on January 14 and 15.
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RBI holiday rules and state-wise bank closures
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, bank holidays vary by state depending on local festivals and observances. As a result, a bank branch may remain open in one state while being closed in another on the same day.
Banks are open across India on Tuesday, January 14, as Lohri is not a notified RBI bank holiday, despite being widely celebrated in northern states.
Banks closed on January 15 for Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu
Banks will remain closed on Wednesday, January 15, in select states observing Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu. These include:
- Gujarat
- Odisha
- Assam
- Arunachal Pradesh
Customers in these states are advised to complete branch-related work in advance.
January 16 bank holidays for Pongal and Uttarayana Punyakala
On Thursday, January 16, banks will be shut in several southern and eastern states due to Pongal, Uttarayana Punyakala and Maghe or Makara Sankranti. States affected include:
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Sikkim
Additional regional holidays later in January include Thiruvalluvar Day (January 16), Uzhavar Thirunal (January 17), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti and Saraswati Puja (January 23), and Republic Day on January 26, when banks will be closed nationwide.
Digital banking services remain operational
Despite branch closures, essential digital banking services continue to function. UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATM services remain available throughout the holiday period, providing customers access to routine transactions.
Why January 14 is a school holiday in many states
January 14, 2026, is a school holiday across large parts of India due to a combination of winter vacations, cold wave advisories and regional harvest festivals. The reasons for closure vary by region rather than a single nationwide directive.
Winter vacation continues in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi–NCR
In Uttar Pradesh, most government and private schools remain closed under extended winter vacation orders issued due to severe cold and dense fog. Reopening schedules vary by district and class level.
Schools across Delhi–NCR, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad, also remain shut as part of the winter break, with some institutions planning to resume classes only after January 15.
Festival-linked school holidays in north and east India
Haryana and Punjab have declared school holidays on January 14 due to Makar Sankranti, Maghi and Lohri-linked celebrations, often combined with winter vacations.
In Assam, schools remain closed for Magh Bihu, while parts of Jharkhand and Tripura have announced closures or relaxed attendance norms due to cold weather conditions.
Pongal and Sankranti holidays across southern states
Southern states are observing festival-related school closures rather than winter breaks. In Tamil Nadu, many schools are closed or running reduced hours as the Pongal holiday period begins, followed by extended holidays for Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal.
Schools in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are also closed for Sankranti festival breaks across most districts.
States where schools largely remain open
Schools in Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha and parts of Maharashtra generally remain open on January 14, unless local administrations declare optional or district-specific holidays.
What parents and customers should check before planning
Overall, January 14 and 15 reflect a patchwork of bank and school closures driven by regional festivals and weather conditions rather than a single national holiday. Parents and bank customers are advised to check state, district and branch-level notifications to avoid last-minute disruptions during the festive period.
Published: 13 Jan 2026, 06:13 pm IST
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