March 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most holiday-heavy months of the year in India. Schools, banks, and government offices will remain shut on multiple days for religious and regional festivals.
The Big Ones
The month kicks off with Holi (March 4), the most widely observed closure. Schools in Uttar Pradesh get a three-day break around the festival, while Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Jharkhand also shut down. Banks in most major states close on March 3–4.
Eid al-Fitr, expected on March 21 (subject to moon sighting), triggers the broadest bank holiday of the month — closures confirmed across 25+ states and UTs including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, UP, and Tamil Nadu.
Regional Festivals
March 19 brings a cluster of New Year celebrations — Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka), Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra), and the first day of Chaitra Navratri — shutting banks and schools across southern and western India.
End of Month
Ram Navami (March 26) and Mahavir Jayanti (March 31) close out the month, with widespread bank and school holidays in northern and western states.
Find the list here
| Date | Day | Festivals | Schools | Banks (Key States) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2 | Monday | Holika Dahan | UP | UP |
| Mar 3 | Tuesday | Holi (Day 1) | Multiple states | MH, MP, RJ, WB, Bihar + more |
| Mar 4 | Wednesday | Holi (Day 2) | Multiple states | UP, Delhi, Gujarat, TN + more |
| Mar 13 | Friday | Chapchar Kut | Mizoram | |
| Mar 17 | Tuesday | Shab-I-Qadr | J&K | |
| Mar 19 | Thursday | Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Navratri | AP, TG, KA, MH | MH, KA, TN, TG, AP, Goa + more |
| Mar 20 | Friday | Jumat-ul-Vida | J&K, Kerala, AP | |
| Mar 21 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr | National | 25+ states |
| Mar 26 | Thursday | Ram Navami | Multiple states | MH, KA, UP, RJ, WB + more |
| Mar 31 | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti | Multiple states | Select states |
According to the guidelines banks are closed on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays and all Sundays every month. Digital banking stays unaffected throughout. ATMs, UPI, and mobile banking will run normally on all closure dates.
Published on March 4, 2026