India Holiday Calendar 2026: List of National and State Holidays
The calendar for public holidays in India for the year 2026 has a mix of compulsory Gazetted holidays and optional Restricted holidays, along with other regional observances. As a business, one should plan ahead and align the workforce, payroll cycles, and business continuity arrangements accordingly.
Why Holiday Planning is Important for Businesses
Effective holiday scheduling-considering the cultural diversity and multistate observance of holidays in India-is a strategic priority at businesses. In accordance with national and local holidays, business operations can be tuned in to uphold continuity, allocate resources better, and improve employee engagement.
Types of Public Holidays in India
India offers quite a flexible holiday system whereby different organizations offer 8-14 public holidays based on historical cases, industry practices, and state law. Companies which interact with either state or government bodies must follow respective official holiday calendars.
Laws Regulating Public Holidays in India
Several Indian labor laws regulate holidays, working hours, and employee entitlements. The key legislations include:
- The Weekly Holidays Act, 1942
- The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
- The National and Festival Holidays Act, 1963
- The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1981
- The Companies Act, 2013
- The Shops and Commercial Establishments Act
Every company must close on the three national holidays mentioned earlier. If any organization needs to operate on these dates, it must obtain prior approval from state labor authorities. Non-compliance can attract legal penalties.
List of Major Gazetted Holidays in 2026
Gazetted holidays are officially declared by the central government and are applicable to all government offices, banks, and many private organizations. These holidays are usually fixed across India and are widely observed.
Here is the list of important Gazetted holidays in 2026:
- January 26 (Monday) – Republic Day
- March 4 (Wednesday) – Holi
- March 21 (Saturday) – Id-ul-Fitr
- March 26 (Thursday) – Ram Navami
- March 31 (Tuesday) – Mahavir Jayanti
- April 3 (Friday) – Good Friday
- May 1 (Friday) – Buddha Purnima
- May 27 (Wednesday) – Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
- June 26 (Friday) – Muharram
- August 15 (Saturday) – Independence Day
- August 26 (Wednesday) – Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad
- September 4 (Friday) – Janmashtami
- October 2 (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
- October 20 (Tuesday) – Dussehra
- November 8 (Sunday) – Diwali (Deepavali)
- November 24 (Tuesday) – Guru Nanak Jayanti
- December 25 (Friday) – Christmas Day
These holidays are officially recognized by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (DoPT) and apply to most central and state government departments.
Restricted and Optional Holidays in 2026
Restricted holidays are optional days off that employees can choose based on personal beliefs, religion, or regional customs. Companies typically allow employees to select two or three such holidays per year.
Some common Restricted holidays in 2026 include:
- January 1 – New Year’s Day
- January 14 – Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Magh Bihu
- February 15 – Maha Shivratri
- March 19 – Gudi Padwa / Ugadi
- April 5 – Easter Sunday
- April 14 – Vaisakhi / Vishu / Meshadi
- May 9 – Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday
- July 16 – Rath Yatra
- August 28 – Raksha Bandhan
- September 14 – Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 18–20 – Durga Puja (Saptami, Ashtami, Navami)
- October 29 – Karwa Chauth
- November 9 – Govardhan Puja
- November 11 – Bhai Duj
- December 24 – Christmas Eve
These holidays promote cultural flexibility in workplaces and help employees celebrate festivals of their choice.
State and Union Territory Holidays
Each Indian state and union territory publishes its own list of holidays every year based on local festivals and events. For example, Pongal is a major holiday in Tamil Nadu, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Onam in Kerala, and Durga Puja in West Bengal.
