Bank customers in Kerala should plan their branch related work carefully this week as banks will remain closed on consecutive days in the state due to scheduled holidays.
The closures are linked to Onam and Milad i Sherif celebrations. Customers who need to visit a bank branch for services such as cash deposits, document submission, account related requests or other offline work should check the local holiday schedule before heading out.
Why Are Banks Closed in Kerala on August 25?
Tuesday, August 25, 2026, is a bank holiday in Kerala because of Onam related celebrations and Milad i Sherif.
Onam is one of Kerala’s most important festivals and is observed across the state with various traditional celebrations.
The bank holiday means physical branches will not operate normally on that day.
Customers who have urgent branch work should therefore try to complete it before the holiday or schedule it for the next working day.
Banks Will Also Remain Closed on August 26
Banks in Kerala will also observe a holiday on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, on account of Id e Milad, which marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
This creates two consecutive days during which customers in Kerala may not be able to access regular branch services.
The closure applies to physical bank branches. It does not necessarily mean that all banking services will stop.
Can You Still Use ATMs During the Bank Holiday?
Yes, customers can generally continue using ATMs even when bank branches are closed.
Cash withdrawals, balance enquiries and other available ATM services can continue depending on the machine’s availability and the bank’s operational systems.
However, customers should not wait until the last moment if they expect to need a significant amount of cash.
An ATM may occasionally run out of cash during periods when branches are closed for several days.
What About UPI and Mobile Banking?
Digital banking services generally continue even when physical branches are shut.
Customers can normally use services such as UPI, mobile banking and internet banking for eligible transactions.
This means people can continue making digital payments, transferring money and checking account information without visiting a branch.
However, some services that require physical verification, paperwork or assistance from branch staff may have to wait until the branch reopens.
Which Bank Services May Be Affected?
The holiday is most relevant to services that require a physical visit.
These may include submitting certain documents, updating account information where physical verification is required, requesting specific banking certificates and completing branch based requests.
Customers should therefore distinguish between digital services and branch dependent services.
If a transaction can be completed through mobile banking, internet banking or UPI, there may be no need to wait for the branch to reopen.
Are Banks Closed Across India on August 25?
Bank holidays are not necessarily uniform across the country.
The Reserve Bank of India holiday calendar includes state specific holidays, meaning a bank can remain open in one state while branches of the same bank remain closed in another.
Therefore, customers outside Kerala should not assume that the August 25 closure applies to their location.
The applicable holiday can depend on the state and the particular bank’s branch calendar.
Are Banks Closed on August 26 in Other States Too?
August 26 may also be a bank holiday in several parts of India because of Id e Milad.
However, the exact list of states and banking centres affected can differ.
Customers should check the holiday calendar applicable to their branch rather than relying only on a nationwide holiday list.
This is particularly important for people who maintain accounts in one state but currently live in another.
What Should Customers Do Before the Holiday?
Anyone who needs branch assistance should ideally complete the work before the closure.
If a transaction is urgent, customers should also check whether it can be completed through the bank’s digital channels.
It is worth checking the following in advance:
- Whether your local branch will remain closed
- Whether the required service is available online
- Whether you need cash during the holiday period
- Whether any cheque or document submission has a deadline
- Whether an appointment is required after the branch reopens
Planning ahead can prevent unnecessary delays.
When Will Bank Branches Reopen?
The reopening date will depend on the bank’s applicable holiday schedule and whether another local holiday follows.
Customers should confirm the next working day with their individual bank or branch before making plans.
Digital banking channels can generally continue to provide access to routine services during the closure.
What About Cheque Clearing and Other Transactions?
Customers should also consider the timing of cheque deposits and other transactions that depend on banking operations.
Even if a cheque is deposited through an available channel, processing may be affected when the relevant banking centre is closed.
Similarly, certain requests that require branch staff may not be processed until the next working day.
Anyone dealing with a payment deadline should therefore avoid leaving the transaction until the holiday.
Bank Holiday Does Not Mean Banking Services Stop Completely
A branch holiday primarily affects physical banking operations.
It does not mean that customers lose access to their money or that every banking channel becomes unavailable.
ATMs, UPI, internet banking and mobile banking can continue to provide many routine services.
The key difference is between transactions that can be completed electronically and those that require employees at a physical branch.
Final Takeaway
Bank customers in Kerala should take note of the consecutive holidays on Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The closures are associated with Onam and Milad i Sherif on August 25 and Id e Milad on August 26.
Customers who need to visit a branch should complete important work beforehand wherever possible. Those relying on digital banking can continue using available online services, while ATM users should plan their cash requirements in advance.
Because bank holidays vary from state to state, customers in other parts of India should check the holiday applicable to their own branch rather than assuming that the Kerala schedule applies nationwide.
Disclaimer: Bank holidays can vary according to the location of the branch and the applicable RBI holiday calendar. Customers should confirm the exact closure and reopening schedule with their bank before visiting a branch.