Jan 14 or 15? Here’s When Schools, Colleges and Banks Will Close for Makar Sankranti Holiday in Karnataka

As Makar Sankranti 2026 nears, Karnataka residents are facing uncertainty over holiday dates for schools, colleges, and banks. While the festival traditionally falls on 14 January, different institutions have announced varying schedules, leaving students, employees, and families unsure about when to take a break.

The Karnataka state government has officially declared 15 January as a public holiday for Makar Sankranti. However, many schools and colleges had earlier marked 14 January as a holiday in their academic calendars, creating confusion for students and parents. Some institutions, including one school in Bengaluru, have now updated their circulars to shift the holiday to 15 January. Other schools and colleges are yet to confirm which date they will follow.

Bank holidays add another layer of uncertainty. According to the Reserve Bank of India, banks in Karnataka will remain open on 14 January but will be closed on 15 January for the festival. On 14 January, only states such as Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh will observe a bank holiday. Commuters and customers are being advised to complete transactions before 15 January, while ATM withdrawals and digital payments through UPI will continue to function.

The overlapping and conflicting schedules for schools, colleges, and banks have left many residents seeking clarification from local authorities. For now, families are preparing to celebrate Makar Sankranti with traditional customs like exchanging ellu-bella and visiting relatives, even as they wait for final announcements regarding holidays.