Revised office hours for government offices, banks and financial institutions came into effect on Thursday as the holy month of Ramadan began.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous offices will operate from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm during Ramadan.

A break for Zuhr prayers will be observed from 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm.

The notification said banks, insurance companies, other financial institutions, postal services, railways, hospitals, state-owned industrial establishments, factories and other emergency service providers will determine and follow their own office schedules in line with their respective laws and regulations, considering public interest.

It also said the office hours of the Bangladesh Supreme Court and all courts under its jurisdiction will be fixed by the apex court itself.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank has revised office timings for banks and finance companies during Ramadan.

According to a circular issued by the Department of Financial Institutions and Markets (DFIM), banks and finance companies will operate from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday, with a 15-minute break from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm for Zuhr prayers.

The directive, signed by Bangladesh Bank Director Syed Mahbubul Alam, said the pre-Ramadan schedule will resume immediately after the holy month ends.