The year 2026 brings a fresh calendar of public holidays for India, featuring important national festivals, cultural occasions, and religious observances. These dates are based on the official DoPT circular for Central Government offices. While most holidays have confirmed dates, a few are dependent on moon sightings and may vary slightly. This list will help you plan your year better for work, celebrations, and family vacations.
Month-Wise Public Holidays in India 2026
| Month | Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26 Jan | Monday | Republic Day | Confirmed |
| February | — | — | — | — |
| March | 4 Mar | Wednesday | Holi | Confirmed |
| 21 Mar | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) | Confirmed* | |
| 26 Mar | Thursday | Ram Navami | Confirmed | |
| 31 Mar | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti | Confirmed | |
| April | 3 Apr | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| May | 1 May | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Confirmed |
| 27 May | Wednesday | Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Confirmed* | |
| June | 26 Jun | Friday | Muharram | Confirmed* |
| July | — | — | — | — |
| August | 15 Aug | Saturday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
| 26 Aug | Wednesday | Milad-un-Nabi / Id-e-Milad | Confirmed* | |
| September | 4 Sep | Friday | Janmashtami (Vaishnava) | Confirmed |
| October | 2 Oct | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday | Confirmed |
| 20 Oct | Tuesday | Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) | Confirmed | |
| November | 8 Nov | Sunday | Diwali (Deepavali) | Confirmed |
| 24 Nov | Tuesday | Guru Nanak’s Birthday | Confirmed | |
| December | 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
* Moon-sighting festivals — final confirmation may vary by one day based on official announcement.
Other Popular State and Festival Holidays (Tentative)
These holidays are celebrated widely in many states but are not part of the nationwide gazetted list. Their dates are either regional or yet to be confirmed officially.
- Pongal – 14 January 2026 – Not Confirmed yet
- Makar Sankranti – 14 January 2026 – Not Confirmed yet
- Maha Shivratri – Not Confirmed yet
- Ganesh Chaturthi – Not Confirmed yet
- Onam (Thiruvonam) – Not Confirmed yet
- Raksha Bandhan – Not Confirmed yet
Notes
- This list is based on the Central Government’s 2026 official notification.
- States and Union Territories will release their individual lists with additional regional holidays.
- Moon-dependent holidays like Eid and Muharram may shift slightly depending on the lunar calendar.
The 2026 public holiday calendar for India provides a mix of national pride, religious celebration, and cultural diversity. From Republic Day in January to Christmas in December, each occasion adds meaning to the year. While most dates are confirmed, festivals based on lunar sightings will be finalized closer to the event. Stay updated with local government notifications to plan your year’s travel, work, and festive celebrations smoothly.