List of holidays 2026 in India: Complete public and National holiday guide

Planning your year becomes easier when you know the official holiday list in advance. The 2026 holiday calendar in India includes national holidays, gazetted public holidays, and widely observed cultural breaks that impact schools, offices, banks, and travel plans.

This holiday guide for 2026 is designed for professionals, families, students, and planners looking for a clear, month-wise list of holidays in India.

National Holidays in India 2026 (Fixed & Nationwide)

These holidays are observed across the country by government offices, schools, and most institutions.

• 26 January 2026 (Monday) – Republic Day
  Celebrates the adoption of the Indian Constitution.

• 15 August 2026 (Saturday) – Independence Day
  Marks India’s freedom from British rule.

• 2 October 2026 (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
  Observed in honor of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

Month-Wise list of Holidays 2026 in India

January 2026 – Year Kick-Off Holidays

1 January – New Year’s Day
Widely observed across private offices, schools, and corporate sectors.

14 January – Makar Sankranti / Pongal
A major harvest holiday in many Indian states.

26 January – Republic Day
A gazetted national holiday across India.

February 2026 – Limited Public Holidays

15 February – Maha Shivaratri
Observed as a public holiday in several states and institutions.

March 2026 – Colorful Holiday Month

4 March – Holi
A public holiday in most states, marking the festival of colors.

31 March – Mahavir Jayanti
Observed by government offices and banks in many regions.

April 2026 – Religious & Regional Holidays

3 April – Good Friday
A public holiday in many Indian states.

14 April – Vaisakhi / Tamil New Year
Observed as a state holiday in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and other regions.

May 2026 – Summer Break Period

1 May – Buddha Purnima / Labour Day
Observed widely by banks, schools, and government offices.

June 2026 – Fewer Official Holidays

(June has limited national holidays, though regional and optional holidays may apply.)

July 2026 – Minimal Public Closures

(Mostly working days for schools and offices, except regional observances.)

August 2026 – Patriotic & Family Holidays

15 August – Independence Day
National holiday across India.

28 August – Raksha Bandhan
Observed as a holiday in select states and institutions.

September 2026 – Regional Public Holidays

4 September – Janmashtami
Public holiday in many northern and western states.

14 September – Ganesh Chaturthi
Major holiday in Maharashtra and parts of South India.

October 2026 – High Holiday Density Month

2 October – Gandhi Jayanti
National public holiday.

20 October – Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
Observed as a public holiday across most states.

November 2026 – Festival & Bank Holidays

8 November – Diwali (Deepavali)
One of India’s biggest public holidays.

24 November – Guru Nanak Jayanti
Gazetted holiday, especially significant in North India.

December 2026 – Year End Holidays

25 December – Christmas Day
Public holiday for schools, banks, and offices.

31 December – New Year’s Eve
Observed by corporate offices and private organizations.

Bank holidays & Office closures in 2026

• Most public sector banks follow RBI notified holidays.

• Private companies may observe optional or floating holidays.

• Schools and colleges usually align with national and major festival holidays.

• State-wise holiday lists may vary slightly.

Best long weekends in 2026

Knowing the 2026 holiday list helps you plan:

• Long weekend trip, Office leave planning, Wedding dates & events, School vacation schedules

Several holidays in 2026 fall on Mondays and Fridays, making it ideal for short vacations.