The number of days banks are open decreases in December due to these national and local events, and includes all the Sundays plus the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. If you have to deal with cash, cheques or anything you have to do at a branch, you should make a plan ahead of time.
Banks are officially declaring these holidays based on the Negotiable Instruments Act and the times that RTGS and the clearing system are running as set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Nationwide Christmas is the biggest, but many of the other dates celebrate the local history and culture of a place, such as Goa Liberation Day, Losoong in Sikkim, and remembrance days in Meghalaya.
What banking services remain available
The banks themselves won’t be open for business on the dates listed in their specific cities, but you’ll still have access to your money online. Most of what you’d normally do – things like ATM withdrawals, using UPI, mobile or internet banking, and NEFT or RTGS transfers within the RBI’s set times – will still work.
December 2025 bank holidays: City-wise and date-wise list
Here’s a list of the specific dates and places: December 1 (Monday) is State Inauguration Day and Indigenous Faith Day in Itanagar and Kohima; December 3 (Wednesday) is the Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Panaji; December 7 (Sunday) is a regular Sunday closing, nationwide; December 12 (Friday) marks the Death Anniversary of Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma in Shillong; December 13 (Saturday) is the second Saturday of the month, so banks are closed everywhere; December 14 (Sunday) is another Sunday closing, nationwide; December 18 (Thursday) is the Death Anniversary of U SoSo Tham in Shillong; December 19 (Friday) is Goa Liberation Day in Panaji; December 20 (Saturday) is Losoong or Namsoong in Gangtok; December 21 (Sunday) is a Sunday closing, nationwide; December 22 (Monday) is Losoong or Namsoong in Gangtok; December 24 (Wednesday) is Christmas Eve in Aizawl, Kohima and Shillong; December 25 (Thursday) is Christmas and a national bank holiday; December 26 (Friday) is Christmas celebrations in Aizawl, Kohima and Shillong; December 27 (Saturday) is the fourth Saturday nationwide and Christmas in Kohima (so Kohima has two closures); December 28 (Sunday) is a Sunday closing, nationwide; December 30 (Tuesday) is the Death Anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah in Shillong; and December 31 (Wednesday) is New Year’s Eve or Imoinu Iratpa in Aizawl and Imphal.
The fourth Saturday, December 27th, is a normal closing day for all of India. However, Kohima is also closed for Christmas on that day, meaning even more restrictions for people there.
Key takeaways for December banking
Christmas on December 25th is a national holiday for banks all over India. Goa will be closed on December 3rd for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier and on December 19th for Goa Liberation Day. Sikkim will be closed on December 20th and 22nd for Losoong or Namsoong in Gangtok. Shillong in Meghalaya has memorial days on December 12th, b18th and 30th. Aizawl, Kohima and Shillong will be closed both before and after Christmas on December 24th and 26th, and Kohima will also be closed on December 27th. Finally, Aizawl and Imphal will be closed on December 31st for New Year’s Eve or Imoinu Iratpa.
You can use internet and mobile banking for sending money, paying bills and asking for help. UPI lets you pay and receive money all the time. NEFT and RTGS operate according to the RBI’s hours. You can get cash from ATMs, use your card, or deposit cash at machines that allow it. You can also ask for chequebooks, demand drafts and help with your account online.
Planning tips to avoid disruptions
For things like updating your KYC information, getting into your locker, getting a demand draft or dealing with a lot of cash, go to the bank when it’s open. If you’re sending a large amount of money with NEFT or RTGS, do it during operating hours to avoid it getting stuck at the end of the day. Put your cheques in or cash them before a long weekend so they are processed in time. Make sure you have enough cash and that your cards and UPI apps are working and have money in them.
Businesses should schedule paying employees, suppliers and GST payments so they don’t happen when the banks are closed.
Bottom line
December 2025 has a lot of bank holidays – 18 in total, with a mix of national, cultural and local ones. If you’re in Goa, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur or Arunachal Pradesh, be aware of the dates for your city. Look at the holiday list for your local branch and use online banking to make sure your money continues to work for you.
