We’ve prepared the full list of public holidays in India 2026 right here. Add the dates to your calendar and share them with family and friends – it’s the best way to make sure you actually get those trips planned, and everyone stays on the same page.
Calendar of the public holidays in India 2026
Tips on holidays in India 2026
FAQ – Public holidays in India 2026
Calendar of the public holidays in India 2026
The government sets 17 gazetted holidays in India in 2026, which are mandatory days off. However, most people end up with about 14 actual days off because some holidays land on weekends and don't "roll over" to the next Monday.
Additionally, there are restricted holidays, which are optional days off for specific festivals.
A list of national holidays in India
| Date | Day of the week | Gazetted/national holidays in India |
|---|---|---|
| January 26th | Monday | Republic Day |
| March 4th | Wednesday | Holi |
| March 21st | Saturday | Eid ul-Fitr (not fixed) |
| March 26th | Thursday | Rama Navami |
| March 31st | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti |
| April 3rd | Friday | Good Friday |
| May 1st | Friday | Buddha Purnima |
| May 27th | Wednesday | Bakrid / Eid ul-Adha (not fixed) |
| June 26th | Friday | Muharram / Ashura (not fixed) |
| August 15th | Saturday | Independence Day |
| August 25th | Tuesday | Janmashtami |
| October 2nd | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| October 22nd | Thursday | Dussehra |
| November 1st | Sunday | Diwali |
| November 5th | Thursday | Milad-un-Nabi (not fixed) |
| November 24th | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| December 25th | Friday | Christmas Day |
Many religious holidays might shift by a day, so keep your plans flexible.
Tips on holidays in India 2026
Free and discounted transport
On the biggest national holidays in India, you may ride the bus or metro for free or very cheaply in some cities. It's a great way to save a few rupees, but it’s going to be packed – don't expect a quiet seat and plan your trips accordingly.
Bank holidays in 2026 in India
Bank holidays in 2026 in India are set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and change depending on which state you’re in.
The general rule is that banks always close for the three national holidays. There can be expectations, however. In 2026, the agency banks stayed open on March 31st because they needed to close out the financial year.
Sending money abroad
For Indians abroad, sending money back home is often the best way to support their families and join the celebration. If you are stuck for gift ideas, you can transfer some funds, so your loved ones can buy exactly what they need. You can do this through Profee – our online service brings comfort and confidence.
Government offices and businesses
Government buildings and schools definitely shut down on gazetted days. The good news is that restaurants usually stay open – the bad news is they’ll be more crowded than usual because everyone else is off too.
State-specific holidays
Because India is so big, Indian holidays and festivals 2026 dates change depending on where you are living. You’ll get the day off for Onam in Kerala, but this is a regular workday in Delhi. Always double-check your local state's specific calendar to not accidentally miss your workday. Below you can find some of the regional Indian holidays in 2026:
Note: Many religious holidays follow lunar calendars, so exact dates may vary.
| Date / Period | Holiday | Regions / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year’s Day | Widely observed across India (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, & Northeast States) |
| January (varies) | Hazrat Ali’s Birthday | Regions with strong Muslim communities |
| January 14th | Pongal / Makar Sankranti | Widely observed across India (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, etc.) |
| January 23th | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura |
| January–February (varies) | Vasant Panchami | West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar |
| February (varies) | Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh |
| February (varies) | Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana |
| February 19th | Shivaji Jayanti | Maharashtra |
| March (varies) | Holika Dahan / Holi | Widely observed across North and Central India |
| March (varies) | Ugadi / Gudi Padwa | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa |
| March (varies) | Jumat-ul-Vida | Regions with strong Muslim communities |
| March/April (varies) | Easter Sunday | Kerala, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya |
| April 14th–15th | Bohag Bihu / Poila Baisakh | Assam, West Bengal |
| May 9th | Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti | West Bengal, Tripura |
| July (varies) | Rath Yatra | Odisha |
| August 15th | Parsi New Year (Navroz) | Maharashtra, Gujarat |
| August/September (varies) | Onam | Kerala |
| August (varies) | Raksha Bandhan | Widely observed across North and Central India |
| August/September (varies) | Ganesh Chaturthi | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa |
| September/October (varies) | Durga Puja (Maha Saptami) | West Bengal, Odisha, Assam |
| October 31th | Sardar Patel Jayanti | Gujarat |
| October/November (varies) | Govardhan Puja | North and Western India |
| October/November (varies) | Bhai Dooj | North and Western India |
| October/November (varies) | Chhath Puja | Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh |
| December 24th | Christmas Eve | Regions with strong Christian communities |
| December 25th | Christmas Day | Widely observed across India |
Duty pharmacies and essential services
Hospitals never close, so don't worry about emergencies. Most big city pharmacies stay open too, but they might close early. If you need regular meds, buy them a few days before a long weekend so you aren't hunting for an open shop.
The same story if you regularly send money home to your family. Try to transfer some funds a little earlier through Profee before the holidays. It’s a small move that makes a big difference, giving them plenty of time to get their shopping done without having to deal with the holiday rush.
More tips for Indians abroad:
FAQ – Public holidays in India 2026
How many national holidays are celebrated in India?
There are only three – Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. These are the "big three" that every single state observes at the same time, no matter where you are.
If you add gazetted days, the total number of national holidays in India goes up to 17 in 2026. However, depending on your location or religion, you might have even more days off.
When is Eid in India in 2026?
Eid ul-Fitr is on March 21st, and Bakrid is expected on May 27th. Since these depend on the moon, the actual dates might shift by a day at the last minute. Just wait for the moon sighting to be 100% sure.
Why is January 26th important for India?
That’s when India officially became a Republic in 1950. Each year, the massive, colourful parade in New Delhi takes place.
Why is August 15th significant for India?
This is Independence Day – the day British rule ended in 1947. On this day, the whole country unites to celebrate.
What if public holidays in India fall on weekends?
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, you usually just lose that day off. There isn't a rule that gives you the Monday off instead, though some nice bosses might do it anyway.
