Holiday List 2026 released: Government offices to remain shut on these dates across India; check full list

As 2025 draws to a close, the Centre has issued a circular announcing the list of holidays for next year, i.e. 2026 for all its offices across India. As per the circular, the employees can choose any two holidays from the list of restricted holidays, apart from compulsory holidays.

However, the holiday structure for employees working outside Delhi/New Delhi is slightly different. For such employees, government has made it mandatory for them to take 14 national-level holidays. They must also pick any three additional holidays from the list of 12 optional holidays.

List of compulsory holidays across India

• Republic Day


• Independence Day


• Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday


• Buddha Purnima


• Christmas Day


• Dussehra (Vijay Dashmi)


• Diwali (Deepavali)


• Good Friday


• Guru Nanak’s Birthday


• Idu’l Fitr


• Idu’l Zuha


• Mahavir Jayanti


• Muharram


• Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday (Id-e-Milad)

For employees working in government offices in Delhi, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) chooses three optional holidays. For those working outside Delhi, the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in each state capital finalises three holidays from the list below:

• Additional day for Dussehra


• Holi


• Janamashtami (Vaishnavi)


• Ram Navami


• Maha Shivratri


• Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayak Chaturthi


• Makar Sankranti


• Rath Yatra


• Onam


• Pongal


• Sri Panchami / Basant Panchami


• Festivals such as Vishu, Vaisakhi, Bhag Bihu, Ugadi variants, Cheti Chand, Gudi Padava, 1st Navratra, Naoraz, Chhath Puja, Karva Chauth

Employees may choose any two from the restricted holiday list. State capitals can prepare their own lists based on local festivals.