Public Holidays 2026: The Central government has released its official holiday list for 2026, giving employees an early look at when offices will remain closed next year. The calendar includes a mix of national,
religious and festival holidays observed across the country.
Along with fixed public holidays, government employees will also be allowed to choose two days from a longer list of restricted holidays. With several holidays falling near weekends, 2026 may offer chances for longer breaks if planned well.
How The 2026 Holiday System Works
The Central government holiday calendar follows a two-part system.
- First, there are gazetted holidays, which apply to all Central government offices. On these days, offices remain closed nationwide.
- Second, there is a restricted holiday list. Employees can pick any two days from this list based on personal, regional or religious preference. These days are optional and depend on individual choice, unlike gazetted holidays.
List Of Gazetted Public Holidays In 2026
The government has notified 17 gazetted holidays for 2026. These include major national days and important festivals.
- January 26, Monday: Republic Day
- March 4, Wednesday: Holi
- March 21, Saturday: Eid-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) (Tentative)
- June 26, Friday: Muharram
- August 15, Saturday: Independence Day
- August 26, Wednesday: Id-e-Milad (Tentative)
- September 4, Friday: Janmashtami
- October 2, Friday: Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
- October 20, Tuesday: Dussehra
- November 8, Sunday: Diwali
- November 24, Tuesday: Guru Nanak Jayanti
- December 25, Friday: Christmas Day
Restricted Holidays Employees Can Choose From
Apart from gazetted holidays, government employees can select any two days from the restricted holiday list. This list includes a wide range of festivals and observances spread across the year.
- January 1, Thursday: New Year’s Day
- January 3, Saturday: Hazarat Ali Birthday
- January 14, Wednesday: Makar Sankranti
- January 14, Wednesday: Pongal / Magha Bihu
- January 23, Friday: Basant Panchami
- February 1, Sunday: Guru Ravidas Birthday
- February 12, Thursday: Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti
- February 15, Sunday: Maha Shivratri
- February 19, Thursday: Shivaji Jayanti
- March 3, Tuesday: Holika Dahan
- March 3, Tuesday: Dolyatra
- March 19, Thursday: Gudi Padava / Ugadi
- March 20, Friday: Jamat-Ul-Vida (Tentative)
- April 5, Sunday: Easter Sunday
- April 14, Tuesday: Vaisakhi
- April 15, Wednesday: Vaisakhadi / Bohag Bihu
- May 9, Saturday: Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti
- July 16, Thursday: Rath Yatra
- August 15, Saturday: Parsi New Year / Nauraj
- August 26, Wednesday: Onam
- August 28, Friday: Raksha Bandhan
- September 14, Monday: Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 18, Sunday: Saptami
- October 19, Monday: Mahashtami
- October 20, Tuesday: Mahanavami
- October 26, Monday: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
- October 29, Thursday: Karwa Chouth
- November 8, Sunday: Naraka Chaturdasi
- November 9, Monday: Govardhan Puja
- November 11, Wednesday: Bhai Duj
- November 15, Sunday: Chhath Puja
- November 24, Tuesday: Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom Day
- December 23, Wednesday: Hazarat Ali Birthday
- December 24, Thursday: Christmas Eve
Why The 2026 Holiday List Matters
Though it may look routine, the holiday calendar affects office schedules, exams, court hearings and travel plans. With many holidays falling close to weekends, careful planning could help employees turn short breaks into longer ones.
