I’m trying to plan my year ahead and want to know the official holiday schedule for central government offices in India for 2026. Which days are marked as compulsory holidays, and are there optional holidays I can consider for leave planning?
In 2026, central government offices across India will follow a set of compulsory (gazetted) holidays that everyone observes, plus a few optional holidays that employees can choose based on local/state preferences.
Compulsory Holidays
These are the key holidays when government offices will definitely be closed:
- Republic Day – 26th January
- Independence Day – 15th August
- Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti – 2nd October
- Good Friday – Date varies (April)
- Buddha Purnima – Date varies (May)
- Diwali (Deepavali) – Date varies (October/November)
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami) – Date varies (October)
- Christmas – 25th December
- Guru Nanak Jayanti – Date varies (November)
- Islamic Festivals – Eid‑ul‑Fitr, Eid‑ul‑Zuha (Bakrid), Muharram, Milad‑un‑Nabi (dates depend on moon sightings)
- Mahavir Jayanti – Date varies (April)
Optional Holidays
Apart from compulsory holidays, the government also lists 12 optional holidays. Offices outside Delhi/New Delhi usually pick a few of these to allow employees flexibility. Some examples include:
- Holi
- Janmashtami
- Ram Navami
- Maha Shivratri
- Regional festivals like Onam, Pongal, Ganesh Chaturthi
Important Notes:
- Islamic holidays are based on lunar sightings, so their exact dates may change.
- State-level offices may select optional holidays differently depending on regional preferences.
So, if you’re planning leave or vacations in 2026, you can count on the compulsory holidays, and keep an eye on the optional ones for extra days off.
I was checking the upcoming government holidays for 2026 and realized it’s helpful to have a clear list for planning work and personal days.
Upcoming Government Holidays for 2026
Compulsory Holidays
| Holiday Name | Date / Approximate Day |
|---|---|
| Republic Day | Jan 26 |
| Holi | Mar 4 |
| Id‑ul‑Fitr | Mar 21 (approx) |
| Ram Navami | Mar 26 |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Mar 31 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3 |
| Buddha Purnima | May 1 |
| Id‑ul‑Zuha (Bakrid) | Date varies |
| Muharram | Date varies |
| Independence Day | Aug 15 |
| Milad‑un‑Nabi (Id‑e‑Milad) | Date varies |
| Janmashtami | Date varies |
| Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday | Oct 2 |
| Dussehra | Date varies |
| Diwali | Date varies |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 |
Optional Holidays
| Holiday Name | Date / Approximate Day |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 |
| Makar Sankranti / Pongal | Jan 14 / 15 |
| Basant Panchami | Date varies |
| Regional / Religious Festivals | Various |
This list will be helpful in planning your work and personal days properly for the year ahead.