Indian Government Holidays 2026: Complete Public & Restricted Holiday List

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.