On April 1, 2026, banks across most of India will be closed for the annual account closing. This closure affects major banks including the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

All scheduled commercial banks will observe this holiday, with branches reopening on April 2, except in Kerala, where business will be suspended due to Maundy Thursday. In total, banks in six states—Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Himachal Pradesh—will remain open.

Digital banking services such as ATMs and UPI will operate normally on April 1, although customers should be aware that cheque clearance and settlement-linked transactions may experience delays due to the year-end closing.

April is known for having several bank holidays, including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which adds to the number of days banks may be closed. In fact, the maximum number of days banks could be closed in April 2026 is 14.

As one bank representative noted, “If you tried visiting your bank branch on Wednesday and found it locked, you are not alone — and there is nothing wrong with your account.” This highlights the understanding that the closure applies only to physical branch counters.

For most customers, the day will pass without any real disruption, as digital banking options remain available. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) classifies bank holidays under three categories: the Negotiable Instruments Act, RTGS holidays, and Banks’ Closing of Accounts.

April is one of the busier months on the bank holiday calendar, and customers are advised to plan their banking activities accordingly. Notably, the dates of other significant holidays in April include Good Friday on April 3, Basava Jayanti on April 20, and Akshaya Tritiya on April 19.

As the date approaches, customers are encouraged to stay informed about their banking needs and the operational status of their local branches. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes to the holiday schedule.

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What has caused the recent decline in SBI share prices? On March 9, 2026, SBI shares fell by 5.60%, closing at Rs 1,079.40 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). This drop wiped out nearly Rs 62,352 crore in market capitalisation, bringing SBI’s valuation below Rs 10 lakh crore to approximately Rs 9.93 lakh crore.

The shares opened at Rs 1,111.10 and reached an intraday high of Rs 1,113.60 before hitting a low of Rs 1,064.25. Over the past year, SBI’s stock has fluctuated significantly, with a 52-week high of Rs 1,234.80 and a low of Rs 719.20.

Motilal Oswal Financial Services has maintained a Buy rating on SBI, indicating confidence in the bank’s long-term prospects. However, the recent fall in share price is largely attributed to overall market weakness rather than any major change in the bank’s fundamentals.

The decline in SBI shares coincided with a broader sell-off in Indian equities, driven by geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which have pushed crude oil prices higher. This situation has created a ripple effect across various sectors, including banking.

Despite the current downturn, SBI reported a net profit of Rs 21,028 crore for the December 2025 quarter, reflecting a 24.5% year-on-year growth. The bank’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 12.97, while its price-to-book (P/B) ratio is 2.14, suggesting that the stock may still hold value for long-term investors.

As the market continues to react to external pressures, investors are left to ponder the implications for SBI and the banking sector as a whole. What comes next for SBI shares remains to be seen, as market conditions evolve and further developments unfold.

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