As the nights get longer, asking us all to reflect on the year, the dance of the ticking wands also hums a familiar tune of newness awaiting to embrace us. Here’s your glance at some of the public holidays for 2026, according to the Circular issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, to plan ahead and make the best out of your mid-decade year.
Here’s a detailed guide to India’s 2026 public holidays and ideas to make the most of your time off.
Gazetted holidays
The following is the list of gazetted holidays in India for the year 2026:
Republic Day (26 January)
Republic Day marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution, India becoming a Sovereign and Democratic state, and the Republic of India’s adoption of the Constitution on 26 January 1950. Monday, 26 January 2026, will mark the 77th Republic Day of India.
Maha Shivratri (15 February)
In 2026, Maha Shivratri will take place on Sunday, 15 February. It is a sacred day dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction and the Destroyer of Evil.
Holi (4 March)
No one gives Spring a grand welcome like the Indians do. In 2026, Holi will be celebrated on Wednesday, 4 March.
Eid-ul-Fitr (21 March)
Although the celebration depends entirely on the movement of the Moon, Eid-ul-fitr in 2026 will take place on 21 March.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous celebration among Muslims worldwide at the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Mahavir Jayanti (31 March)
In 2026, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, 31 March. Mahavir Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, who played a significant role in preaching Jainism.
Good Friday (3 April)
In 2026, Good Friday will occur on Friday, 3 April.
Good Friday is a day of mourning for Christians everywhere. It is part of a 3-day festival that concludes with Easter Sunday.
May Day (1 May)
The first of May is called May Day, also known as Labour Day and International Workers’ Day. It is a celebration of laborers and the working classes, promoted by the international labor movement.
Buddha Purnima (1 May)
In 2026, Buddha Purnima will also be commemorated on Friday, the 1st of the Gregorian month of May.
Buddha Purnima falls on the first full moon of the Hindu lunisolar month of Vesakha. It is a celebration of the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, the founder of the Buddhist religion.
Eid-ul-Zuha/Eid-ul-Adha/Bakrid (27 May)
The holiday for Eid-ul-Zuha in 2026 is on Wednesday, 27 May. However, the celebration depends entirely on the movement of the Moon.
Eid ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God.
Muharram (26 June)
In 2026, the holiday for Muharram falls on Friday, 26 June.
Muharram marks the commencement of the Islamic New Year, symbolizing a period of renewal and deep spiritual reflection.
Independence Day (15 August)
India’s Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August. In 2026, it falls on a Saturday.
Milad-un-Nabi (26 August)
Eid-Milad-un-Nabi or Eid-e-Milad is a holiday in India that will take place on Wednesday, 26 August. It marks the birth of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
Onam (26 August)
In 2026, Onam or Thiru Onam Day will also be celebrated on Wednesday, 26 August. Onam is a South Indian harvest festival that marks the beginning of the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham.
Janmashtami (4 September)
Janmashtami in 2026 takes place on Friday, 4 September. It is a grand celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
Friday, 2 October, is the celebration of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, or Gandhi Jayanti, revered in India as the Father of the Nation.
Dusshera (20 October)
Navratri begins on 11 October and Durga Puja begins on 16 October in 2026. For 2026, Dusshera will fall on Tuesday, 20 October.
Diwali (8 November)
The holiday for Diwali in 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. Diwali is essentially a five-day festival of lights celebrated almost all over India.
Guru Nanak Jayanti (24 November)
Guru Nanak Jayanti, a gazetted holiday in India, will be celebrated on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. It is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Gurpurab, the founder of Sikhism.
Christmas (25 December)
Christmas is celebrated annually on 25 December. It is the last official holiday of the year, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Restricted holidays
The following is the list of restricted holidays in India for the year 2026:
New Year’s Day (1 January)
Post the haze of glitz, glamour, and midnight sighs, start your new year by spending the first Mercury Day with yourself. Journal, read a short story, or slumber away to start the first work day of the new year with a fresh mind.
Makar Sankranti/ Magha Bihu/ Pongal (14 January)
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu harvest festival observed annually in different parts of India. The festival may wear a different hat in separate states(for instance, Magha Bihu in northeastern India and Pongal in South India), but underneath it all, it is the very first Indian festival of the year that awakens the spirit and keeps traditions alive.
Chaitra Sukladi/ Gudi Padava/ Ugadi/ Cheti Chand (19 March)
Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Chaitra Sukhladi are essentially spring festivals, referred to differently in various states of India, that mark the beginning of the lunisolar new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus living along the western coast and in southern India.
Ram Navami (26 March)
In 2026, Ram Navami will be celebrated on Thursday, 26 March. Ram Navami signifies the birth of Ram as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya.
Raksha Bandhan (9 August)
In 2026, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Friday, 28 August.
Raksha Bandhan is an auspicious day for siblings in India. It is a celebration of the precious bond between siblings, especially between a brother and a sister.
Ganesh Chaturthi (14 September)
In 2026, Ganesh Chaturthi will take place on Monday, 14 August.
Ganesh Chaturthi is an observance honoring Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity.
Bhai Duj (11 November)
For the year 2026, Bhai Duj falls on Wednesday, 11 November.
Bhai Duj is a sacred Hindu festival observed on the last day of Diwali that honors the sweet bond shared by a brother and sister. Bhai Duj or Bhratri Ditwiya, also known as Bhau Beej (in Marathi) and Bhai Phota (in Bengali), relates to Yama (the God of death) and his sister, Yamuna, who put tilak on Yama’s forehead and showered the Akshat on him.
Chhat Puja (15 November)
For the year 2026, Chhat Puja falls on Sunday, 15 November.
Chhat Puja is a spiritually significant tribute to the Sun God, Surya, primarily commemorated in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and specific areas of Nepal.
