National Holidays in India 2026

India officially observes three national holidays every year, which are celebrated uniformly across all states and union territories. These important days honor the nation’s history, freedom, and great leaders.

The three national holidays in India 2026 are:

  • Republic Day – Celebrated on 26 January, marking the adoption of the Constitution of India.
  • Independence Day – Observed on 15 August, commemorating India’s independence from British rule in 1947.
  • Gandhi Jayanti – Celebrated on 2 October, honoring the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

These national holidays are mandatory public holidays, meaning all government offices, banks, schools, and most businesses remain closed across the country.

List of Public and Government Holidays in 2026

Date Holiday States
1 January 2026, Thursday  New Year’s Day  Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu 
3 January 2026, Saturday  Hazarat Ali’s Birthday  Uttar Pradesh 
14 January 2026, Wednesday  Pongal  Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu 
14 January 2026, Wednesday  Makara Sankranti  Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, and Sikkim 
23 January 2026, Friday  Vasant Panchami Haryana, Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal 
26 January 2026, Monday  Republic Day  National 
1 February 2026, Sunday  Guru Ravidas Jayanti  Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab 
12 February 2026, Thursday  Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti  Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana 
15 February 2026, Sunday  Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri  National except for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal 
17 February 2026, Tuesday  Lunar New Year  Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir 
19 February 2026, Thursday  Ramadan Start (Tentative Date)  Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat 
19 February 2026, Thursday  Shivaji Jayanti  Maharashtra 
3 March 2026, Tuesday  Holika Dahana  Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh 
4 March 2026, Wednesday  Holi  National except Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, & West Bengal 
19 March 2026, Thursday  Ugadi  Andhra Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Telangana 
19 March 2026, Thursday  Gudi Padwa  Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh 
20 March 2026, Friday  Jumat Ul-Vida  Jammu and Kashmir 
20 March 2026, Friday  March Equinox  Andhra Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Telangana 
21 March 2026, Saturday  Ramzan Id (Tentative Date)  Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat 
26 March 2026, Thursday  Rama Navami  National apart from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and West Bengal  
31 March 2026, Tuesday  Mahavir Jayanti Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh  
2 April 2026, Thursday  First Day of Passover  Maharashtra 
2 April 2026, Thursday  Maundy Thursday  Kerala 
3 April 2026, Friday  Good Friday  National except Haryana & Jammu and Kashmir  
5 April 2026, Sunday  Easter Day  Nagaland and Kerala 
14 April 2026, Tuesday  Vaisakhi  Jammu Kashmir and Punjab 
14 April 2026, Tuesday  Ambedkar Jayanti  Tripura and West Bengal 
15 April 2026, Wednesday  Bahag Bihu/Vaisakhadi  Karnataka and Maharashtra 
1 May 2026, Friday  International Workers Day  Maharashtra, Karnataka 
1 May 2026, Friday  Buddha Purnima/Vaisakhadi  Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal 
9 May 2026, Saturday  Birthday of Rabindranath  Tripura 
27 May 2026, Wednesday  Bakrid (Tentative Date)  National except Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Sikkim 
26 June 2026, Friday  Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date)  National except Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Haryana, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Pondicherry, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal 
16 July 2026, Thursday  Rath Yatra  Odisha 
2 August 2026, Sunday  Friendship Day  Karnataka 
15 August 2026, Saturday  Independence Day  National 
26 August 2026, Wednesday  Milad Un-Nabi (Tentative Date)  Hyderabad 
26 August 2026, Wednesday  Onam  Kerala 
28 August 2026, Friday  Raksha Bandhan  Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh 
4 September 2026, Friday  Janmashtami  National except Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Pondicherry & West Bengal 
14 September 2026, Monday  Ganesh Chaturthi   Andhra Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Telangana and Tamil Nadu 
2 October 2026, Friday  Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti  National 
11 October 2026, Sunday  First Day of Sharad Navratri  Gujarat and Maharashtra 
17 October 2026, Saturday  First Day of Durga Puja Festivities  Odisha, Assam, and Tripura 
18 October 2026, Sunday  Maha Saptami  Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal  
19 October 2026, Monday  Maha Ashtami Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura and West Bengal  
20 October 2026, Tuesday  Dussehra  National except Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Manipur  
26 October 2026, Monday  Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti  Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh & Punjab 
29 October 2026, Thursday  Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth)  Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan  
31 October 2026, Saturday  Halloween  Maharashtra, Delhi, and Kolkata 
8 November 2026, Sunday  Naraka Chaturdashi  Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Telangana & Tamil Nadu  
9 November 2026, Monday  Govardhan Puja  Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan 
11 November 2026, Wednesday  Bhai Dooj  Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh  
15 November 2026, Sunday  Chhat Puja  Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand  
24 November 2026, Tuesday  Guru Nanak Jayanti  National except Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Tripura 
24 November 2026, Tuesday  Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day  Punjab 
5 December 2026, Saturday  First Day of Hanukkah  Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Manipur 
12 December 2026, Saturday  Last Day of Hanukkah  Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Manipur 
22 December 2026, Tuesday  December Solstice  Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Punjab 
23 December 2026, Wednesday  Hazarat Ali’s Birthday  Uttar Pradesh 
24 December 2026, Thursday  Christmas Eve  Meghalaya and Mizoram 
25 December 2026, Friday  Christmas  National 
31 December 2026, Thursday  New Year’s Eve  Manipur and Mizoram 

Top 10 Festival Holidays in India 2026

India is known for its rich cultural diversity, vibrant traditions, and grand celebrations. As one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, India celebrates numerous festivals across religions and communities. These festivals bring people together and reflect unity in diversity.

Here are the top 10 most celebrated festivals in India in 2026:

1. Diwali

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated across India. It usually falls in October or November and lasts for five days. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. In North India, it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.

2. Holi

Holi, the Festival of Colors, is celebrated in March with great enthusiasm. People throw colored powders, splash water, and enjoy festive foods. It signifies the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

3. Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri, meaning “The Great Night of Shiva,” is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasting, visit temples, and offer Bilva leaves. Many stay awake all night, chanting and singing devotional songs.

4. Ramadan

Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims, marked by fasting from sunrise to sunset. It emphasizes discipline, patience, and spiritual growth. The month concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

5. Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing love and protection. It is usually celebrated in August.

6. Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is celebrated on April 13 or 14 and marks the harvest season in Punjab. It also holds religious importance for Sikhs, as Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa on this day in 1699.

7. Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees observe fasting, perform midnight prayers, and participate in events like Dahi Handi. The festival represents love, devotion, and righteousness.

8. Navratri

Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her various forms. Each set of three days honors Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga. It is celebrated with dance forms like Garba and Dandiya.

9. Dussehra

Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Mysore and Varanasi are famous for grand celebrations.

10. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. Devotees install idols, perform rituals, and immerse them in water after several days. The festival is especially grand in Maharashtra.

FAQs on List of Holidays in India 2026

How many public holidays are there in India?

India generally has around 17 public holidays, including national and regional festivals. However, the exact number may vary depending on the state and its local traditions.

Are government holidays the same in all states of India?

No, public or government holidays are not identical across all states. While national holidays are common everywhere, many holidays are state-specific, based on regional culture, festivals, and historical significance.

Can I take a public holiday of one state while living in another?

No, you can only avail public holidays that are officially declared in the state where you are working or residing. Holidays from other states are not applicable.

Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in India?

Yes, New Year’s Day (1 January) is observed as a public holiday in several states. It is also widely recognized as a bank holiday across India.

How many holidays do Indian government employees get?

Central Government employees typically receive:
Around 104 weekly holidays (5-day work week)
14 gazetted holidays
2 restricted holidays
3 national holidays
This makes a well-structured leave system for government employees.

What are public holidays in India?

Public holidays are officially declared days when most offices, schools, and businesses remain closed. These holidays are governed by central and state regulations.

Are public holidays paid in India?

Yes, employees are entitled to paid leave on national holidays and other declared public holidays. However, the list of paid holidays may vary depending on state laws and company policies.

What are the restricted holidays in India?

Restricted holidays (RH) are optional holidays that employees can choose based on personal preference or religious beliefs. Only a limited number of restricted holidays can be taken in a year.