Official List of Public, Bank & Government Holidays in India [2026 Edition]

A list of public holidays in India can be a valuable resource for creating a leave calendar. For context, there are three types of holidays observed in India. These are compulsory holidays, gazetted holidays, and restricted holidays.

Compulsory holidays are those holidays that are mandatory in all sectors. Gazetted holidays are those holidays that are listed in government notifications and are mandatory for central/state government employees. Restricted holidays are optional leaves that an employee can choose from the list of public holidays. This article explores the list of public holidays in India for 2026.

List of Public and Government Holidays in 2026

Here are some of the national/central government holidays for India in 2026.

Please note: Some dates (especially for Islamic festivals) may be tentative due to lunar calendar adjustments. This list focuses on the major gazetted holidays for central government offices.

Non-Gazetted/Restricted Holidays in India in 2026

Restricted holidays are not mandatory, but they can improve employee mental health. In fact, mental health conditions in India are projected to cause an economic loss of about 1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030. Offering time off from work also makes employees feel more satisfied, as they can observe their cultural festivals. Here is the list of restricted holidays in India for 2026.

Complete List of Indian Public and Regional Holidays 2026

India’s holiday calendar 2026 includes all public, national, and regional holidays celebrated across states. Explore the complete list of Indian holidays 2026, including government, bank, and festival dates to plan your year efficiently.

Regional Festival Holidays in India

Being a country with a diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic population, India also celebrates some regional festivals. Each state has its own festivals that are important for different sections of society. Here are some famous regional festivals of India and their corresponding holidays for 2026:

Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Tusu – January 14, 2026 (Wednesday)

Observed across India for marking the solar New Year and the commencement of the harvest season.

Goa Carnival – February 14, 2026 (Saturday)

Staged in Goa for a multi-day festival of feasting and merry-making before the Christian Lent period.

Ugadi/Gudi Padwa – March 21, 2026 (Saturday)

Marking the Spring New Year in Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, with the ritual eating of Bevu Bella.

Gangaur – April 9, 2026 (Thursday)

Worshipping Goddess Gauri (Parvati) for marital bliss; rejoiced in via processions by women carrying clay idols in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Regional Spring New Year (Cheiraoba/Baisakhi/Bihu/Pohela Boishakh) – April 13–15, 2026 (Monday to Wednesday)

Observed as the solar/harvest New Year in Manipur, Punjab, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Chetti Chand – May 2026 (Tentative)

Honoring the birth anniversary of Lord Jhoolelal, revered as the spiritual anchor for the Sindhi Community.

Guru Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday – May 9, 2026 (Saturday)

Commemorated by honoring the birth of the Nobel laureate; marked by cultural events, music, and poetry in West Bengal and Tripura.

Saga Dawa – June 1, 2026 (Monday)

Commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha is observed with religious processions in Sikkim.

Raja Parba – June 15, 2026 (Monday Begins)

Honoring womanhood and the fertility of Mother Earth, marked by the custom of women taking four days of rest in Odisha.

Hemis Gompa Festival – June 29, 2026 (Sunday Tentative)

Commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, a vibrant ritual of masked dances takes place at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh.

Dree Festival – July 5, 2026 (Sunday)

Observed by the Apatani tribe for ensuring a bumper harvest and protecting crops; held with unique tribal customs in Arunachal Pradesh.

Ratha Yatra – July 16, 2026 (Thursday)

Held as a ceremonial moving of the deities in massive chariots, rejoiced in by millions of pilgrims in Puri, Odisha.

Bonalu – July 2026 (Tentative)

Honoring Goddess Mahakali for protection, marked by women carrying ceremonial pots (Bonalu) to temples in Telangana.

Teej (Haryali/Kajri) – July 26, 2026 (Sunday – Haryali)

Heralding the advent of the monsoon and the union of Shiva and Parvati, the occasion is observed with singing and swinging rituals in Rajasthan and Haryana.

Paryushan Parva – August 24, 2026 (Monday Begins)

Kept as the most important annual holy event for the Jain community, it is focused on spiritual upliftment and seeking forgiveness in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Onam/Thiru Onam – August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)

Marking the annual return of the mythical King Mahabali, held with the grand Onam Sadya (feast) and snake boat races in Kerala.

Karam Festival – September 8, 2026 (Tuesday)

Worshipping the Karam tree for a good harvest; held with ritual dancing by tribal communities in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Navaratri (Garba)/Durga Puja – October 12, 2026 (Monday Begins)

Worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga, held with the famous Garba dance and elaborate pandals in Gujarat and West Bengal.

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti – October 26, 2026 (Monday)

Honoring the birth anniversary of the author of the epic Ramayana is recognized as a restricted holiday across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.

Chhath Puja – November 7, 2026 (Saturday)

Worshipping the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for sustenance; observed with rigorous fasting and prayers while standing in water in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP.

Hornbill Festival – December 1, 2026 (Tuesday Begins)

Staged as the Nagaland state festival for showcasing the cultural heritage and promoting inter-tribal harmony.

Losoong/Namsoong – December 21, 2026 (Monday Tentative)

Marking the traditional Sikkimese New Year, observed with masked dances and celebratory rituals.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti – December 21, 2026 (Monday Tentative)

Honoring the birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, marked by religious processions (Nagar Kirtan) across North India.

List of Most Celebrated Festival Holidays across India 2026

India’s festivals bring color, joy, and togetherness throughout the year. Here are the top 10 celebrations in 2026 you won’t want to miss:

1. Maha Shivaratri – February 17, 2026 (Tuesday)
2. Holi – March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)
3. Eid al-Fitr – March 20, 2026 (Friday)
4. Ram Navami – March 27, 2026 (Friday)
5. Good Friday – April 3, 2026 (Friday)
6. Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) – May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
7. Onam – August 21, 2026 (Friday)
8. Raksha Bandhan – August 28, 2026 (Friday)
9. Ganesh Chaturthi – September 15, 2026 (Tuesday)
10. Diwali (Deepavali) – November 8, 2026 (Sunday)

FAQs

What are Bank Holidays?

Bank holidays are non-working days declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, during which banks remain closed. These include national holidays, festivals, and select state-specific holidays.

What are Public Holidays?

Public holidays are officially declared non-working days recognized by either the Central or State Governments. They apply to public institutions and may also be adopted by private organizations.

What is a Gazetted Holiday?

Gazetted holidays are mandatory holidays notified in the Official Gazette of India, including national holidays and major religious or cultural festivals.

What are Restricted Holidays (RH)?

Restricted holidays are optional holidays that employees can choose from a predefined list, as notified by the Government of India, to accommodate personal or religious observances.

What are Regional Holidays?

Regional holidays commemorate local events or festivals specific to a state or community, for example, Onam in Kerala or Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

How Many Holidays are in India’s Calendar?

On average, India observes 15–20 public holidays annually, depending on state-specific notifications and regional observances.

How Many National Holidays are in the 2026 List?

In 2026, the national holidays will remain Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.

Are Public or Government Holidays the Same across all States in India?

No, each state issues its own list of public holidays, reflecting regional festivals, in addition to the central list of gazetted holidays.

Are Public Holidays Paid in India?

Yes, under the Factories Act, 1948 (Section 52) and Shops and Establishments Acts, employees are entitled to paid holidays on official public holidays.

Which are Observance Days or Relationship Appreciation Days?

These include awareness and appreciation days such as Women’s Day, Teacher’s Day, or Mother’s Day, which are not public holidays but widely recognized observances.

What is the Difference between Gazetted and Restricted Holidays?

Gazetted holidays are mandatory for all government offices, while restricted holidays are optional and can be availed based on individual preference.

Are Weekends Official Holidays in India?

Yes, Sundays are official weekly holidays under Section 52(1)(b) of the Factories Act, 1948. Many offices also follow a five-day workweek policy, observing Saturdays as holidays.

What is the Difference between Public Holidays and Company-Specific Holidays (Optional Holidays)?

Public holidays are government-declared, whereas company-specific holidays are defined by internal HR policies to align with the business and cultural needs of the organization.

How to Integrate the Public Holiday List into Our Annual Leave/Leave-Management System?

A configurable leave management solution enables automatic syncing of the government’s holiday list with leave calendars, reducing manual errors and ensuring accurate balance calculations.