India Central Government Holidays 2026

14 mandatory + 8 restricted

Verify before relying on this list. State government holiday lists are civic notifications that can be amended mid-year. Always cross-check with the official source (DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training), dopt.gov.in) before using these dates for HR or business-critical scheduling.

January 2026

Republic Day

Mon, Jan 26National

March 2026

Holi

Hindu

Wed, Mar 4Religious

Ram Navami

Hindu

Sat, Mar 21Religious

April 2026

Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti

Tue, Apr 14National

May 2026

May Day / Labour Day

Fri, May 1National

Buddha Purnima

Buddhist / Hindu

Sun, May 31Religious

August 2026

Independence Day

Sat, Aug 15National

Krishna Janmashtami

Hindu

Wed, Aug 26Religious

September 2026

Vinayaka Chaturthi

Hindu

Wed, Sep 16Religious

October 2026

Gandhi Jayanti

Fri, Oct 2National

Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

Hindu

Mon, Oct 19Religious

November 2026

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)

Hindu

Sun, Nov 8Religious

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Sikh

Tue, Nov 24Religious

December 2026

Christmas

Christian

Fri, Dec 25Religious

Restricted holidays (employee may choose)

Per Central Government policy, employees may take any 2 of the restricted-list holidays per year in addition to the mandatory list. State-government employees may have different rules — check your department.

Guru Govind Singh Jayanti— Sikh

Tue, Jan 6

Maha Shivaratri— Hindu

Tue, Feb 17

Holika Dahan— Hindu

Tue, Mar 3

Mahavir Jayanti— Jain

Thu, Apr 2

Good Friday— Christian

Fri, Apr 3

Easter Sunday— Christian

Sun, Apr 5

Onam— Hindu — Kerala

Mon, Aug 31

Naraka Chaturdashi— Hindu

Wed, Nov 4

Source: DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training), dopt.gov.in · Last verified 2026-05-02. For 2027+, extend src/data/govHolidays.ts. See calendar methodology.