Banks across India will generally remain open on December 3, 2025, with the exception of those in Goa, where branches will be closed to observe the Feast of St Francis Xavier, a significant religious holiday for the Christian community in the state. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar for the 2025-26 financial year, this regional observance falls under the Negotiable Instruments Act and applies only to Goan bank branches, allowing residents and visitors there to participate in festivities honouring the 16th-century missionary saint. In all other states and union territories, normal banking operations will proceed as usual, including cheque clearances and over-the-counter services.

The RBI's comprehensive December 2025 schedule lists a total of 18 bank holidays nationwide, blending national events, state-specific cultural and religious observances, and mandatory weekly closures like Sundays and second/fourth Saturdays. Key dates include December 12 for the death anniversary of Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma in Meghalaya; December 19 for Goa Liberation Day; and December 25 for Christmas, a pan-India shutdown. These holidays reflect India's diverse traditions, ensuring banks align with local sentiments while maintaining financial stability.

For customers in non-holiday states, December 3 offers a seamless banking day, but it's wise to confirm with your local branch, as occasional adjustments can occur due to state government notifications. Digital services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet transfers (NEFT/RTGS/IMPS), and ATMs will operate uninterrupted across the country, including in Goa, providing 24/7 access for urgent transactions. The RBI emphasises that while physical branches close on gazetted holidays, electronic platforms ensure continuity, minimising disruptions in an increasingly cashless economy.

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December's holiday cluster—particularly around Christmas—could lead to extended weekends in states like Sikkim (Losoong/Namsoong on December 20 and 22) and Mizoram (New Year's Eve on December 31), prompting proactive planning for year-end financial tasks like fixed deposits or loan payments. The RBI's calendar, released annually under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, balances economic needs with cultural inclusivity, with no nationwide closures on December 3 beyond Goa's observance.

As the year winds down, the RBI's guidelines remind users that holidays vary by location, urging checks via official apps or websites like the RBI's holiday portal. In Goa, the saint's feast draws pilgrims to Old Goa churches, blending devotion with local commerce, while elsewhere, the day underscores banking's resilience amid festive seasons. With 18 holidays in December alone, from weekly offs to regional gems like the Feast of St Francis Xavier, the RBI ensures equitable observance without compromising service delivery—a model of federal harmony in India's vast financial landscape.

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