If you’re planning time off, the India public holidays 2026 calendar from March onward gives you plenty to work with. From festivals like Id-ul-Fitr and Rama Navami to national observances such as Independence Day, these dates matter for government offices, banks, and stock markets. Most of these are gazetted holidays, which means mandatory closures across the country. Alongside them, there are restricted holidays that employees can opt for.
Some festival dates, especially Islamic ones, may shift by a day or two depending on moon sightings, so it’s smart to stay flexible while planning.
GAZETTED HOLIDAYS IN INDIA 2026
These are compulsory public holidays across India for Central Government offices, banks, and stock exchanges:
- March 21 (Saturday): Id-ul-Fitr (Tentative)
- March 26 (Thursday): Rama Navami
- March 31 (Tuesday): Mahavir Jayanti
- April 3 (Friday): Good Friday
- May 1 (Friday): Buddha Purnima
- May 27 (Wednesday): Id-ul-Zuha (Tentative)
- June 26 (Friday): Muharram (Tentative)
- August 15 (Saturday): Independence Day
These dates are ideal for planning breaks, especially when they fall near weekends.
RESTRICTED HOLIDAYS YOU CAN CHOOSE
Restricted holidays are optional. Central Government employees can pick up to two from this list, though many are widely celebrated:
- March 19 (Thursday): Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
- March 20 (Friday): Friday-ul-Vida
- April 14 (Tuesday): Vaisakhi / Mesadi
- April 15 (Wednesday): Partly Bihu
- July 16 (Thursday): Rath Yatra
- August 28 (Friday): Raksha Bandhan
These are useful if you celebrate specific festivals or want to extend a weekend.
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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Islamic holidays like Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Zuha, and Muharram are tentative and depend on moon sighting.
State governments may add their own holidays, so Delhi residents should check local updates.
Combining restricted holidays with weekends can help create longer breaks without using too many leave days.
The India holiday list 2026 is more than just dates, it helps you plan travel, family time, and even financial tasks since banks and markets stay closed on gazetted holidays. Knowing these in advance can save last-minute stress.
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