Central Government Announces Public Holiday List for 2026

The Central government has issued a notification announcing the public holidays for 2026. The official holiday calendar includes 17 fixed holidays such as Republic Day, Holi, Bakrid, Good Friday and Christmas.

List of Public Holidays for 2026

• 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 Birthday
• October 20, Tuesday: Dussehra
• November 8, Sunday: Diwali
• November 24, Tuesday: Guru Nanak Birthday
• December 25, Friday: Christmas Day

List of Restricted Holidays

• January 1, Thursday: New Year’s Day
• January 3, Saturday: Hazarat Ali Birthday
• January 14, Wednesday: Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Magha Bihu
• January 23, Friday: Basant Panchami
• February 1, Sunday: Guru Ravi Das Birthday
• February 12, Thursday: Swami Dayananda Birthday
• February 15, Sunday: Maha Shivratri
• February 19, Thursday: Shivaji Jayanti
• March 3, Tuesday: Holika Dahan / Dolyatra
• March 19, Thursday: Gudi Padava / Ugadi
• March 20, Friday: Jamat-Ul-Vida
• April 5, Sunday: Easter Sunday
• April 14, Tuesday: Vaisakhi
• April 15, Wednesday: Vaisakhadi / Bahag Bihu
• May 9, Saturday: Rabindranath Tagore Birthday
• 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: Mahanavmi
• October 26, Monday: Maharishi Valmiki Birthday
• October 29, Thursday: Karwa Chouth
• November 8, Sunday: Naraka Chaturdasi
• November 9, Monday: Govardhan Puja
• November 11, Wednesday: Bhai Duj
• November 15, Sunday: Chhat Puja
• November 24, Tuesday: Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom Day
• December 23, Wednesday: Hazarat Ali Birthday
• December 24, Thursday: Christmas Eve

Flexibility and Cultural Inclusivity

The holiday structure reflects India’s cultural diversity by combining fixed national holidays with optional restricted holidays. This approach ensures that employees from different regions and communities can celebrate their traditions without disrupting official work schedules.

Read More: December 2025 Stock Market Holiday.

Conclusion

The Central government’s 2026 holiday calendar provides a balanced mix of national and regional observances. With 17 fixed holidays and the option to select two restricted holidays, employees enjoy flexibility while maintaining uniformity in public administration. T

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