Government Holidays 2026: Centre Releases Full List For Offices Across India
The Central Government has released the comprehensive holiday calendar for 2026, establishing a uniform schedule for its offices across India while providing flexibility for regional and personal observances.
Key Provisions
- Compulsory Holidays: Central government offices will observe 14 mandatory national holidays where all offices and banks will remain closed.
- Restricted Holidays (Optional): Employees are permitted to choose an additional two days from the extensive list of 34 Restricted Holidays based on their personal, religious, or regional preferences.
- Regional Flexibility: Central offices outside Delhi will have their local Employees Welfare Coordination Committees select three optional holidays specific to their state’s needs.
- Islamic Festival Dates: Dates for festivals like Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Zuha, Muharram, and Milad-un-Nabi will be finalised separately based on the actual moon sighting.
- Diwali Special Case: Due to Diwali (Deepavali) falling on a Saturday (November 21) in 2026, the government has provided for special state-wise variation; if a state declares a different day (like Naraka Chaturdashi) as the official public holiday, central offices in that state may follow the locally declared date.
Mandatory Holiday List (15 days provided in the source)
Disclaimer: The holiday list and accompanying information presented in this article are based on data currently available in the public domain and official government releases. Readers are strongly advised to consult and verify the final holiday schedule directly with their specific institution, employer, or organisational policy before making any personal or professional decisions based on this report.
