Reserve Bank of India (RBI) put out a notice Friday, saying that physical bank branches in Jammu and Kashmir will be closed on Wednesday, September 23, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of the princely state.
The closure applies only to cities like Jammu and Srinagar, where the day is a gazetted holiday; other parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, will keep banks open.
Local officials in J&K said the decision follows a long‑standing tradition of marking the Maharaja’s birthday with a day off, while the RBI confirmed that digital and ATM channels remain fully functional across the country.
A shopkeeper in Srinagar, Meera Patel, told reporters she will shift her cash‑handling to the ATM nearest her home, as her customers cannot visit the branch.
Customers in the rest of India will enjoy normal banking hours, but those in J&K are advised to schedule online transactions ahead of the holiday to avoid disruptions.
The RBI will monitor the impact of the closures and may extend similar observances to other districts in the future.