Planning your leaves for the year ahead just got easier! The Central Government of India has officially released the public holiday calendar for 2026, offering clarity for employees, businesses, and institutions across the country. Whether you’re planning family trips, festivals, or simply long weekends, knowing the holiday schedule in advance can help you manage your time better.
Along with 17 gazetted (public) holidays, government employees can also select any two holidays from the list of restricted holidays based on personal or regional preferences. Let’s take a detailed look at the Indian Government Holidays for 2026.
✅ Public Holidays in India – 2026 (Gazetted Holidays)
These holidays are mandatory nationwide for Central Government offices:
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) – Budha Purnima
May 27 (Wednesday) – Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
June 26 (Friday) – Muharram
August 15 (Saturday) – Independence Day
August 26 (Wednesday) – Id-e-Milad
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
These festivals reflect India’s rich cultural, religious, and national diversity.
🗓️ Restricted Holidays in India – 2026
Restricted holidays are optional leaves. Employees can choose any two from this list:
January
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
February 1 (Sunday) – Guru Ravidas Birthday
February 12 (Thursday) – Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti
February 15 (Sunday) – Maha Shivratri
February 19 (Thursday) – Shivaji Jayanti
March
March 3 (Tuesday) – Holika Dahan
March 3 (Tuesday) – Dolyatra
March 19 (Thursday) – Gudi Padwa / Ugadi
March 20 (Friday) – Jamat-Ul-Vida
April
April 5 (Sunday) – Easter Sunday
April 14 (Tuesday) – Vaisakhi
April 15 (Wednesday) – Vaisakhadi / Bahag Bihu
May
May 9 (Saturday) – Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti
July
July 16 (Thursday) – Rath Yatra
August
August 15 (Saturday) – Parsi New Year (Navroz)
August 26 (Wednesday) – Onam
August 28 (Friday) – Raksha Bandhan
September
September 14 (Monday) – Ganesh Chaturthi
October
October 18 (Sunday) – Saptami
October 19 (Monday) – Mahashtami
October 20 (Tuesday) – Mahanavami
October 26 (Monday) – Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
October 29 (Thursday) – Karwa Chauth
November
November 8 (Sunday) – Naraka Chaturdashi
November 9 (Monday) – Govardhan Puja
November 11 (Wednesday) – Bhai Dooj
November 15 (Sunday) – Chhath Puja
November 24 (Tuesday) – Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom Day
December
December 23 (Wednesday) – Hazarat Ali Birthday
December 24 (Thursday) – Christmas Eve
🌟 Why This Holiday List Matters
Helps government employees plan annual leave in advance
Useful for corporate HR teams and businesses
Handy for students, travelers, and families
Supports better work-life balance
With smart planning, several festivals in 2026 can easily turn into long weekends when combined with restricted holidays.
📌 Important Note
Holiday observance can vary slightly based on:
State government notifications
Local administrative decisions
Regional customs
Always double-check with your department or local authorities for final confirmation.
✅ Conclusion
The Indian Government Holiday Calendar 2026 offers a well-balanced mix of national, religious, and cultural celebrations. With 17 official public holidays and a wide range of restricted holidays, the year provides plenty of opportunities for rest, travel, and family time. Planning your leaves early can help you make the most of these breaks while maintaining productivity at work.