India observes exactly 3 mandatory national holidays in 2026: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). Every employer across the country must treat these three dates as paid leave. That includes factory floors and fintech startups alike.
Beyond those three, the holiday landscape splits into gazetted holidays, restricted holidays, and state-level additions. Getting the distinctions right saves you a last-minute call to HR.
How Indian Holidays Are Classified
National Holiday: A date declared mandatory for all employers across India under central legislation. Only Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti qualify.
Gazetted Holiday: A date published in the Government of India Gazette. Central government offices, public sector banks, and PSUs observe these dates. Private employers may or may not follow them.
Restricted Holiday: An optional leave that employees choose from a pre-approved state-specific list. Most central government employees may pick 2 restricted holidays per year.
The Ministry of Personnel publishes an annual circular covering gazetted and restricted holidays for central government staff. Each state government releases a parallel list for state employees. Banks follow the RBI holiday calendar, which differs slightly by state and institution.
| Holiday Type | Who Must Observe | Approx. Count (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| National | All employers | 3 |
| Gazetted | Central govt, banks, PSUs | 14 |
| Restricted | Employee's choice from state list | 2 per employee |
| State-specific | Varies by state | 10–15 additional days |
Key Festival Dates in 2026
Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian festivals all appear on the Indian holidays calendar 2026. Lunar-calendar festivals shift every year, so always verify before booking travel.
| Festival | Date | Day | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 Jan | Monday | National |
| Holi | 4 Mar | Wednesday | Gazetted (select states) |
| Holika Dahan | 3 Mar | Tuesday | Regional |
| Eid ul-Fitr | ~20 Mar | Friday | Gazetted (moon-sighting applies) |
| Good Friday | Apr (TBC) | Friday | Gazetted |
| Independence Day | 15 Aug | Saturday | National |
| Gandhi Jayanti | 2 Oct | Friday | National |
| Dussehra | Oct (TBC) | TBC | Gazetted |
| Diwali | 8 Nov | Sunday | Gazetted |
| Christmas | 25 Dec | Friday | Gazetted |
Imagine you have booked flights for a Diwali trip assuming 8 November is a work holiday. Diwali falls on a Sunday in 2026. Confirm whether your employer observes the gazetted holiday on 9 November instead. That one check can save a wasted leave application.
Three long weekends stand out in 2026. Republic Day falls on a Monday, creating a three-day weekend from 24 January. Christmas on a Friday gives a clean Saturday–Sunday extension. Worth marking your calendar now.
Indian Holidays Calendar 2026
Browse all national and public holidays in India for 2026, with month-wise list and upcoming holidays.
Bank Holidays vs Office Holidays
Bank closures follow the Negotiable Instruments Act, not just the central gazetted list.
Negotiable Instruments Act: The law governing cheque clearing and bank operations. Under this Act, banks follow a distinct holiday schedule. More dates are included than in the standard gazetted list.
Banks additionally close on Maha Shivaratri, Ram Navami, Eid ul-Fitr, and Good Friday. Dussehra, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, and Christmas are also bank holidays. State-specific bank holidays apply on top of this list.
Planning an RTGS transfer or a fixed deposit renewal around Diwali week? Check the RBI state-specific bank holiday list for your city. A holiday in Mumbai may not apply to a Bengaluru branch.
State-Specific Holidays to Know
The central government list is uniform, but states add substantially more days.
- Tamil Nadu observes Pongal as a 4-day festival in mid-January. Worth bookmarking if you work with Tamil Nadu-based teams.
- Kerala observes Onam as a major multi-day holiday in August or September. Plan vendor timelines accordingly.
- Maharashtra includes Ganesh Chaturthi as a gazetted state holiday. Mumbai offices routinely go quiet for several days.
- Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh gazette Holi as a public holiday. North India supply chains feel this one.
- Karnataka observes Rajyotsava on 1 November as a state holiday. Bengaluru tech offices typically observe it.
A gazetted holiday declared in Delhi may be a regular working day in Chennai. Always cross-check with your state government's official circular before finalising leave plans.
Practical Tips for Leave Planning
Moon-sighting dates: Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, and Muharram dates on the Indian holidays calendar 2026 are estimates. The central moon-sighting committee may shift the date by one day. Confirm with your employer the evening before.
Factory workers: The Factories Act mandates the 3 national holidays as paid leave. Additional paid holidays depend on the registered state's Shops and Establishments Act.
Private sector employees: Most large employers follow central gazetted holidays. Staff may also choose from a restricted holiday list. Your offer letter or HR policy document carries the binding list.
Travel planning: Book tickets around long weekends early. Republic Day (26 Jan, Monday) and Christmas (25 Dec, Friday) are confirmed long weekends. Diwali falls on a Sunday in 2026. Confirm whether your employer observes the gazetted holiday on 9 November instead.
For a city-specific bank holiday breakdown, cross-reference the RBI bank holiday list before scheduling high-value transactions.