Are these 2026 Central Government holidays final?

Treat this page as a quick reference. Always cross-check with the official DoPT/Ministry of Personnel notification and any updates. Lunar observances (Eid, Muharram, Milad-un-Nabi) depend on official announcements.

Do states follow the same holiday list?

No. State Governments/UTs issue their own lists and Restricted Holidays (RH). 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.

Reference Guide India · Central Govt 2026

Central Government Holidays 2026

As per Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (DoPT) framework. Compulsory (Gazetted) Holidays — 17 days.

Gazetted Holidays — 2026

Tip for HR teams: publish your 2026 list early and add region-appropriate Restricted Holidays (RH).

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	—

Important: This page is a reference based on the Central Government (DoPT) holiday framework. Final 2026 dates are subject to the official notification and any corrigenda, especially for lunar/astronomical observances. States/UTs publish separate lists. Verify before adopting in company policy.

Last updated:

HR Notes for 2026 Planning

Publish your company holiday list by Q4 2025 with a small pool of Restricted Holidays (RH) 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 & 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.