Public Holidays in India 2026 – National, Hindu, Islamic & Regional Days
India has a complex public holiday calendar that combines central (national) holidays, state and regional holidays, and restricted or optional holidays. Central government offices follow a standard list of compulsory holidays, while each state and Union Territory may declare additional observances based on local culture, religion, and history.
How Public Holidays Are Organized in India
Public holidays in India generally fall into three categories:
- Gazetted / Compulsory Holidays: Mandatory for central government offices.
- Restricted / Optional Holidays: Employees may choose a limited number from an approved list.
- State / Regional Holidays: Declared individually by states and Union Territories.
India has three national holidays observed across all states and UTs: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).
Central Government Holidays in India (2026)
The table below highlights key central (gazetted and widely observed) holidays for 2026. Islamic holidays are subject to moon sighting and may vary by a day.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day (Restricted) |
| 14 January | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Magha Bihu |
| 26 January | Monday | Republic Day |
| 4 March | Wednesday | Holi |
| 20 March | Friday | Eid ul-Fitr (tentative) |
| 26 March | Thursday | Ram Navami |
| 29 March | Sunday | Mahavir Jayanti |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 1 May | Friday | Buddha Purnima |
| 27 May | Wednesday | Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid) (tentative) |
| 26 June | Friday | Muharram (tentative) |
| 15 August | Saturday | Independence Day |
| 25 August | Tuesday | Mawlid / Milad un-Nabi (tentative) |
| 2 October | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
Note: Dates for Islamic holidays may change based on official moon sighting announcements.
Central Government Holidays in India (2025)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day (Restricted) |
| 14 January | Tuesday | Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Magha Bihu / Hazarat Ali’s Birthday |
| 26 January | Sunday | Republic Day |
| 14 March | Friday | Holi |
| 31 March | Monday | Eid ul-Fitr |
| 6 April | Sunday | Ram Navami |
| 10 April | Thursday | Mahavir Jayanti |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 12 May | Monday | Buddha Purnima |
| 7 June | Saturday | Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid) |
| 6 July | Sunday | Muharram |
| 15 August | Friday | Independence Day |
| 5 September | Friday | Mawlid / Milad un-Nabi |
| 2 October | Thursday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
State & Regional Holidays
In addition to central holidays, states and Union Territories observe their own holidays, including:
- Regional festivals (e.g., Pongal, Baisakhi, Onam)
- State foundation days (e.g., Maharashtra Day, Karnataka Rajyotsava)
- Local religious festivals (e.g., Durga Puja, Janmashtami)
Notes & Observations
- Islamic holidays depend on lunar sighting and may shift by one day.
- Some states declare substitute (in-lieu) holidays when a holiday falls on Sunday.
- Restricted holidays allow employees to select which festivals they wish to observe.
- This article focuses on central holidays; state calendars may include many more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which holidays are universally observed in India?
The three national holidays are Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).
How many compulsory holidays does the central government observe?
The central government generally observes about 14 compulsory holidays each year, along with restricted and local holidays.
Do Islamic holidays change every year?
Yes. Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates shift annually.
What is the difference between compulsory and restricted holidays?
Compulsory holidays must be observed by all central government offices, while restricted holidays allow employees to choose which ones to take.
Conclusion
Public holidays in India reflect the country’s vast religious, cultural, and regional diversity. With nationwide observances alongside extensive state-level additions, India’s holiday calendar is one of the most varied in the world.
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