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Looking for a complete list of national holidays in India for 2026? Here is the full Indian holiday schedule for the year, helping you plan your travel, finances, and leave calendar with ease.
Last updated on: Aug 04, 2026
India has 3 national gazetted holidays in 2026 — Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). In addition, there are 14 gazetted holidays and over 30 restricted/regional holidays observed across different states. This page lists all public, government, and bank holidays month-wise for 2026 with long weekend opportunities mentioned for each.
Planning your leave around public and bank holidays can help you enjoy longer breaks without using many leave days. The table below highlights some of the potential long weekend opportunities in 2026 based on the holiday calendar:
| Month | Long Weekend Opportunity |
|---|---|
January |
Republic Day (Mon 26 Jan) → 3-day weekend (Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th, and Monday 26th January) |
March |
Holi (Wed 4 Mar) → 5-day break (Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, Saturday 7th, and Sunday 8th March by taking Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March off) |
March |
Id-ul-Fitr (Sat 21 Mar) → 3-day break (Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd, and Monday 23rd March by taking Monday 23rd March off) |
April |
Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr) → 3-day weekend (Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, and Sunday 5th April) |
April |
Ambedkar Jayanti (Tue 14 Apr) → 4-day break (Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th, Monday 13th, and Tuesday 14th April by taking Monday 13th April off) |
May |
Buddha Purnima / May Day (Fri 1 May) → 3-day weekend (Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, and Sunday 3rd May) |
August |
Independence Day (Sat 15 Aug) → 3-day break (Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th, and Monday 17th August by taking Monday 17th August off) |
October |
Gandhi Jayanti (Fri 2 Oct) → 3-day weekend (Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, and Sunday 4th October) |
October |
Dussehra (Tue 20 Oct) → 4-day break (Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th, Monday 19th, and Tuesday 20th October by taking Monday 19th October off or if Maha Ashtami is observed locally) |
November |
Diwali (Sun 8 Nov) → 3-day break (Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th, and Monday 9th November if Govardhan Puja is observed) |
December |
Christmas (Fri 25 Dec) → 3-day weekend (Friday 25th, Saturday 26th, and Sunday 27th December) |
Note: These may vary depending on your organisation's leave policy and state-specific holidays.
Understanding the different types of holidays in India can help you plan banking and official work more effectively. While these terms are often used interchangeably, each has a distinct purpose and applies to different organisations and institutions.
Public holidays are observed by government offices and many private organisations. These holidays are generally announced by the Central or State Governments and may vary depending on the state or union territory.
Bank holidays are specifically notified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. In addition to festival-specific and state-specific holidays, banks across India remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, as well as on all Sundays.
Gazetted holidays are mandatory holidays declared by the Central Government and are typically observed by government departments, public sector organisations, and many financial institutions. Restricted holidays, on the other hand, are optional holidays from which employees can choose a limited number based on their regional, cultural, or religious preferences, subject to their organisation's leave policy.
Holidays in India fall into distinct structural categories based on who declares them and which sectors must comply.
| Type | Who Observes | Declared By | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
National Gazetted Holiday |
All central govt offices, banks, PSUs |
Ministry of Personnel, Central Govt |
Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti |
Restricted Holiday |
Optional for central govt employees (2 per year) |
Central Govt list |
Specific regional or religious festivals |
Regional/State Holiday |
State-specific offices and institutions |
State government |
Ganesh Chaturthi, Pongal, Baisakhi |
Bank Holiday |
All scheduled banks, including RBI |
RBI + State Govt notifications |
2nd & 4th Saturdays, local banking clearings |
Festive Indian holidays are often the best time to plan short trips and family breaks. Even when a festival is not marked as a national holiday in India, many offices and schools still observe it. This list works as a practical guide to spotting travel-friendly dates and possible long weekends. Final observance can differ by state, so checking official holiday notifications before planning travel is recommended.
| Date | Festival | Day | Major Region(s) of Celebration |
|---|---|---|---|
13th January |
Tuesday |
Lohri |
Punjab, Haryana, Delhi |
14th January |
Wednesday |
Makar Sankranti / Pongal |
Pan-India (South & West focus) |
19th March |
Thursday |
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa |
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra |
21st March |
Saturday |
Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id)* |
Pan-India |
27th May |
Wednesday |
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)* |
Pan-India |
16th July |
Thursday |
Jagannath Rath Yatra |
Odisha (Puri), Gujarat |
26th August |
Wednesday |
Onam (Thiruvonam) |
Kerala |
28th August |
Friday |
Raksha Bandhan |
North & West India |
14th September |
Monday |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana |
19th October |
Monday |
Maha Ashtami |
West Bengal, Odisha, Assam |
9th November |
Monday |
Govardhan Puja |
North India |
11th November |
Wednesday |
Bhai Dooj |
Pan-India |
11th November |
Wednesday |
Bhai Dooj |
Pan-India |
15th November |
Sunday |
Chhath Puja |
Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh |
Disclaimer: Holiday dates marked with an asterisk (*) are tentative. Festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharram, and Milad-un-Nabi depend on the sighting of the moon and may change based on official announcements. State governments may also issue separate or additional holiday notifications.
With this list of holidays in India for 2026, you can start planning your vacations, weekend getaways, and celebrations more efficiently.
To manage your travel expenses, you can apply for a travel loan and pay for your ticket bookings, hotel accommodations, and more. Plan your trips and the required finances beforehand to make the most of your holidays in 2026.
Holidays in India fall into different categories based on who observes them and their importance. Understanding these types helps you plan better, especially for bank work, travel, or official tasks. Here is a clear breakdown of how national holidays in India differ from public, bank, and regional holidays.
India has three national holidays observed across all states. Public (gazetted) holidays are declared by the government and apply to most institutions. Bank holidays are declared as per RBI guidelines and the Negotiable Instruments Act, and may vary by state. Regional holidays depend on state-specific festivals and local events.
Here are the key differences between these holiday types:
| Type | Examples | Who Observes |
|---|---|---|
National Holidays |
Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti |
Entire country (all states and sectors) |
Public (Gazetted) Holidays |
Diwali, Eid, Christmas |
Government offices, banks, many private institutions |
Bank Holidays |
Second and Fourth Saturdays, state-specific festivals |
Banks and financial institutions (vary by state) |
Regional Holidays |
Ganesh Chaturthi, Pongal, Baisakhi |
Specific states or regions based on local importance |
Reviewer
There are three national holidays in India in 2026: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). These are mandatory holidays observed across all states and sectors.
National holidays in India include three days and are compulsory across the country. Public or gazetted holidays are decided by the government and may vary by state. Not all public holidays are observed everywhere.
No, bank holidays are not always the same as public holidays. They follow Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and include some state-specific holidays. This is why bank closures may vary across locations.
States with a diverse mix of national, regional, and religious festivals may observe a higher number of holidays. However, the total count varies each year based on state government notifications and local observances.
No, Diwali is not a national holiday in India. It is a gazetted public holiday observed widely across the country.
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