Gujarat Public Holidays 2026 Released: 23 Public Holidays; 3 Major Festivals Fall on Sunday Next Year

The Gujarat government on Thursday released its official holiday calendar for 2026, outlining public holidays, optional holidays and bank closures for the upcoming year. The notification was issued by the General Administration Department.

23 Public Holidays, but No Break for Three Festivals

The state has declared 23 public holidays for 2026. However, employees may have little to celebrate on three key occasions, as Maha Shivratri (February 15), Shri Parshuram Jayanti (April 19), and Diwali (November 8) are set to fall on Sundays, ruling out additional days off.

Major Festivals and Observances

Among the holidays listed for next year are several important national and regional festivals:

Makar Sankranti – January 14

Republic Day – January 26

Dhuleti – March 4

Ramzan Eid – March 21

Independence Day – August 15

Raksha Bandhan – August 28

Janmashtami – September 4

Dussehra – October 20

Sardar Patel Jayanti – October 31

Bestu Varsh – November 10

Bhai Beej – November 11

Christmas – December 25

Optional Holidays for Government Staff

The notification also details a set of restricted or optional holidays, from which government employees may select any two, depending on personal preference or religious observance.

Bank Holidays Under NI Act

Separately, the government has released the 2026 bank holiday schedule under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Banks across Gujarat will remain closed on April 1, 2026, for annual account closing, with all customer services suspended for the day.