Even as India observes Mahavir Jayanti on March 31, 2026, leading to widespread closures, a key exception has emerged with select banks remaining open due to year-end financial requirements.
As India observes Mahavir Jayanti on March 31, 2026, banks, government offices, and financial institutions remain closed across several states.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira and is recognised as a public holiday in many parts of the country.
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However, this year has led to confusion among customers, as some bank branches are functioning despite the holiday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a special directive allowing agency banks to remain open due to the financial year-end deadline.
March 31 is the last day of the financial year 2025–26, making it crucial for completing all government-related financial transactions within the same accounting cycle. To avoid any pending entries spilling over into the next fiscal year, banks handling government business have been asked to operate in a limited capacity.
These banks are not fully open for regular services. Instead, their operations are restricted to essential government work, including:
- Tax collections and government receipts
- Government payments and settlements
- Pension-related disbursements
Meanwhile, India’s stock markets, including the National Stock Exchange of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange, remain completely closed for trading on account of the holiday. Market activity will resume on the next working day, with another scheduled closure later this week for Good Friday.
Upcoming Market Holidays 2026 (NSE & BSE)
| Date | Day | Occasion |
| April 03 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 14 | Tuesday | Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti |
| May 01 | Friday | Maharashtra Day |
| May 28 | Thursday | Bakri Id (Eid al-Adha) |
| June 26 | Friday | Muharram |
| September 14 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| October 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Dussehra |
| November 10 | Tuesday | Diwali - Balipratipada |
| November 24 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas |
Despite branch-level restrictions, digital banking services such as online transfers and tax payments are expected to function normally. Customers are advised to check with their respective banks for specific service availability.
Overall, while Mahavir Jayanti is widely observed as a holiday, the financial year-end requirement has made March 31 an exception, with select banking operations continuing for essential government transactions.
Published: 31 Mar 2026, 07:32 am IST
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