If you’ve got any important banking tasks coming up in the next couple of days, listen up! Banks will be closed on December 18 and 19 in certain areas, as per the RBI’s holiday list. Keep in mind that bank holidays can differ from state to state. The RBI calendar also includes national holidays, special events, and the usual breaks on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The RBI is the one that puts out the list of bank holidays across the country.
Why are banks closed on December 18?
In Meghalaya, they’ll be shutting down for the day to honor the death anniversary of U Soso Tham. He was a notable poet born in 1873 in Sohra (Cherrapunji) and is known for introducing secular literature with a fresh vocabulary. He also creatively incorporated Khasi idioms into his poetry, which was largely influenced by English styles. December 18 is a public holiday in Meghalaya, meaning all government offices will be closed too. However, banks in other states will still be open.
Now, what’s the deal with December 19?
That day will be a bank holiday in Goa, specifically in the capital, Panaji. This is in observance of Goa Liberation Day, which celebrates the day in 1961 when Indian forces took control of Portuguese-ruled Goa, ending European rule in the region. The RBI typically releases a list of bank holidays for the entire country.
