Table of Contents
Key Highlights
- Comprehensive Holiday Calendar: The West Bengal holiday list 2026 includes national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day), state-specific holidays (Pohela Boishakh, Rabindra Jayanti), and religious observances (Eid, Mahavir Jayanti).
- HR & Business Utility: HR professionals can utilize this calendar for strategic workforce planning, payroll management, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Regional Significance: West Bengal observes unique bank holidays, such as Durga Puja and Pohela Boishakh, in addition to the second and fourth Saturdays.
- For HR Reference: Official government notifications of public and bank holidays can be verified on the West Bengal State Government portal.
Roots of Mauryan and Gupta empires: this is a state rich in literature, cinema, music, and much more. The locals of West Bengal celebrate victory over the demon Mahishasura. They believe that the goddess Durga is their daughter who comes home every year. West Bengal holds the world’s largest mangrove forest and the Himalayan ranges in the north.
Additionally, from the sea to the mountains, West Bengal has it all. For you, we have compiled a list of not only the holidays but also everything an individual should know about West Bengal.
West Bengal Government Holiday List 2026 (Public & Bank Holidays)
| Sr. No. | Date (2026) | Day | Holiday Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Restricted Holiday |
| 2 | January 12 | Monday | Birthday of Swami Vivekananda | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 3 | January 22 | Thursday | Day before Saraswati Puja | Restricted Holiday |
| 4 | January 23 | Friday | Netaji Subhash Chandra Jayanti | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 5 | January 26 | Monday | Republic Day | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 6 | 4 February | Wednesday | Shab-e-Barat | Restricted Holiday |
| 7 | 15 February | Sunday | Maha Shivratri | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 8 | 3 March | Tuesday | Doljatra (Holi) | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 9 | 4 March | Wednesday | Day after Doljatra | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 10 | 16 March | Monday | Birthday of Shri Shri Harichand Thakur | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 11 | 20 March | Friday | Day before Ramzan/Id-ul-Fitr | Restricted Holiday |
| 12 | 26 March | Thursday | Ram Navami | Restricted Holiday |
| 13 | 31 March | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
| 14 | 1 April | Wednesday | Annual Accounts Closing | Bank Holiday Only |
| 15 | 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 16 | 14 April | Tuesday | Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
| 17 | 15 April | Wednesday | Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 18 | 1 May | Friday | Birthday of Pandit Raghunath Murmu | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 19 | 9 May | Saturday | Rabindra Jayanti | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 20 | 27 May | Wednesday | Bakri Id / Id-ul-Zuha | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 21 | 26 June | Friday | Muharram | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 22 | 16 July | Thursday | Rath Yatra | Restricted Holiday |
| 23 | 15 August | Saturday | Independence Day | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 24 | 25 August | Tuesday | Milad-un-Nabi | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 25 | 28 August | Friday | Raksha Bandhan | Restricted Holiday |
| 26 | 14 September | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi | Restricted Holiday |
| 27 | 22 September | Tuesday | Karam Pooja | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 28 | 2 October | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 29 | 10 October | Saturday | Mahalaya | Restricted Holiday |
| 30 | 16 October | Friday | Maha Shashthi (Durga Puja) | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 31 | 17 October | Saturday | Maha Saptami | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 32 | 18 October | Sunday | Durga Ashtami | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 33 | 19 October | Monday | Maha Navami | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 34 | 20 October | Tuesday | Dusshera/Vijaya Dusahmi | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 35 | October 25 | Sunday | Sharad Purnima | Restricted Holiday |
| 36 | October 29 | Thursday | Karva Chauth | Restricted Holiday |
| 37 | November 08 | Sunday | Kali Puja | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 38 | November 11 | Wednesday | Bhatridwitya | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 39 | November 12 | Thursday | Day after Bhatridwitya | Public/Govt Holiday |
| 40 | November 15 | Sunday | Chhath Puja Parva | Restricted Holiday |
| 41 | November 24 | Tuesday | Birthday of Guru Nanak | Restricted Holiday |
| 42 | December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Public/Govt Holiday |
Top 3 Regional Festivals of West Bengal 2026
Durga Puja
The festival of victory celebrated by the locals of West Bengal is Durga Puja. It is believed that the goddess Durga fought the demon Mahishasura and emerged victorious. Notably, the locals create pandals (temporary structures) featuring statues of deities. They worship Durga for five days from Shashthi to Dashmi.
Kali Puja
This puja is also the celebration of victory over the demon Raktabija. It is a celebration of feminine power, strength, and protection. This reflects a new beginning or a renewal of life’s nature. The day of the moon night (Amavasya) in the month of Kartik is the day of Kali Puja.
Saraswati Puja
Celebration of the goddess of knowledge, music, and art. This festival is also known as Vasant Panchami. Idols of Saraswati are placed in the pandal, and locals put the books and instruments near the idol. On this day, everyone gathers to celebrate, which is also known as “Bengali Valentine’s Day,” as this festival encourages interactions between young men and women.
Browse State Government Holidays 2026
FAQs
What are the Major Public Holidays in West Bengal in 2026?
Netaji Subhas Chandra Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, Independence Day, and others are the major public holidays in West Bengal in 2026.
How Many Official Public Holidays are there in West Bengal for 2026?
Approximately, there are 20-25 official public holidays, including regional and state holidays.
When is Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year) in 2026?
Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year) will be celebrated on April 15, 2026.
Does West Bengal Follow National Holidays in Addition to State Holidays?
Yes, West Bengal observes national holidays, such as Republic Day and Independence Day, in addition to state holidays.
Are there Specific Bank Holidays Unique to West Bengal in 2026?
Yes, there are specific bank holidays in West Bengal on events like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, or Poila Baishakh.
What Should HR Departments in West Bengal do before Finalizing the 2026 Holiday List?
HR departments in West Bengal collect the list of state and central government holidays. Additionally, they compile a document of all possible holidays on the correct date, day, and occasion for management approval.
What are the Major Religious Festivals Recognised as Holidays in West Bengal?
The major religious festivals recognised as holidays in West Bengal are:
- Durga Puja
- Kali Puja
- Saraswati Puja
- Eid-ul-Fitr
- Eid al-Adha
- Mahavir Jayanti
Are the Second and Fourth Saturdays Observed as Bank Holidays in West Bengal?
Yes, the second and fourth Saturdays are observed as holidays for banks in West Bengal.
Which Holidays are Most Important for Bengali Culture?
The most important holiday for Bengali culture is Durga Puja. It is a festival celebrating the victory of the Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur.
Are there Special Leave Options for Religious or Community Festivals Not in the Main List?
Yes, employees can apply for special leave options for their religious or community festivals via casual leave or earned leave. But all this can vary from company to company and their policies.
Where Can HR Verify the Official West Bengal 2026 Holiday List?
HR in West Bengal can verify the holiday list on the official government website.
How Should HR Use the 2026 Calendar for Workforce Planning?
The HR department can utilize the 2026 calendar for strategic planning and alignment in the workplace, as well as for talent development, compliance, and operational purposes.
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