Central Government Holidays 2026
As per the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (DoPT) framework. Compulsory Gazetted Holidays: 17 days.
Gazetted Holidays for 2026
HR teams should publish the 2026 holiday list before year-end and include any Restricted Holidays relevant to their location. Dates align with the DoPT Office Memorandum on Central Government Holidays 2026 (PDF).
| Holiday | Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | January 26, 2026 | Monday | National holiday |
| Holi | March 4, 2026 | Wednesday | Regional variations |
| Id-ul-Fitr (Eid) | March 21, 2026 | Saturday | Subject to moon sighting |
| Ram Navami | March 26, 2026 | Thursday | |
| Mahavir Jayanti | March 31, 2026 | Tuesday | |
| Good Friday | April 3, 2026 | Friday | |
| Buddha Purnima | May 1, 2026 | Friday | |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Subject to moon sighting |
| Muharram | June 26, 2026 | Friday | Subject to moon sighting |
| Independence Day | August 15, 2026 | Saturday | National holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet Mohammad's Birthday) | August 26, 2026 | Wednesday | Subject to moon sighting |
| Janmashtami | September 4, 2026 | Friday | |
| Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday | October 2, 2026 | Friday | National holiday |
| Dussehra | October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | |
| Diwali (Deepavali) | November 8, 2026 | Sunday | State announcements may vary |
| Guru Nanak's Birthday | November 24, 2026 | Tuesday | |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Friday |
HR notes for 2026 planning
- Publish your company holiday list by Q4 2025 with a small pool of Restricted Holidays that suit your region and workforce.
- If you operate across multiple states, align site-wise holidays with local notifications while keeping core national holidays common.
- Mark moon-dependent holidays as "subject to official confirmation" in your policy circular.
Disclaimers
- This compilation is provided for quick reference. The authoritative source is the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.
- Dates linked to lunar observations (Eid, Muharram, Milad-un-Nabi) may shift based on official announcements.
- States and Union Territories publish separate holiday lists which may differ from the Central list.
- Private establishments may adopt modified lists consistent with applicable labour laws and company policy.
Frequently asked questions
Are these 2026 Central Government holidays final?
Treat this page as a quick reference. Always cross-check with the official DoPT or Ministry of Personnel notification and any updates. Lunar observances such as Eid, Muharram and Milad-un-Nabi depend on official announcements.
Do states follow the same holiday list?
No. State Governments and UTs issue their own lists and Restricted Holidays. The Central list applies to Central Government offices.
Can private companies use this list?
Private employers may align but are not required to mirror the Central list. Follow local Shops and Establishments rules and your company policy.
From the holiday list to your HR pack
Use Offrd to publish your 2026 holiday calendar, generate offer letters with the right joining dates, and run attendance and payroll without separate spreadsheets.
50 free credits on signup. Trusted by 4,000+ companies across India.