Holi 2026: CM Announces 3-Day Holiday, Salaries to Be Credited Before Festival

Holi 2026: The anticipation for Holi is rising, and if you’re in Uttar Pradesh, your happiness is about to increase! The Yogi government has presented a fantastic gift to state employees, teachers, and students for Holi 2026. You will now enjoy a full three-day holiday instead of just one on Holi. Let’s check when schools, colleges, and government offices will be closed.

This order by the Yogi government isn’t limited to permanent or regular employees. The Chief Minister, displaying generosity, has stated that contract workers, outsourcing employees, and sanitation workers should also receive this salary benefit equally. The Chief Minister has stated categorically that even the lowest rung of society should not experience a dull Holi. He also warned of strict action against officials who are negligent in paying salaries.

What is the holiday schedule?

As per the Yogi government’s announcement, government offices, schools, and colleges in the state will be closed on the following dates for the Holi festival.

March 2 (Monday): Holika Dahan (Holiday)

March 3 (Tuesday): Special public holiday

March 4 (Wednesday): Main Holi (Dhulendi)

While the government has granted three days off, it has also required a working day in exchange for this. To maintain balance, the government has stipulated that all government offices and educational institutions will be open on Saturday, February 28, 2026. This Saturday serves as a compensatory holiday for the March 3 holiday. So, keep this in mind while planning your time off.

Some important things you should know

Salary payments: The government has instructed all departments to ensure that salaries for all government and contract employees are deposited into their bank accounts before Holi, so the festival can be celebrated without any issues. For those traveling long distances to return home, the holidays on March 2, 3, and 4 are a great advantage. However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized that there should be no negligence in salary distribution or holiday management.

Employees often face cash crunches during festivals, but that won’t be the case this time. Chief Minister Yogi has issued clear instructions that the salaries of all government officials and employees must reach their bank accounts before Holi. The Chief Minister has directed the Finance Department and all department heads that even the slightest delay in the payment process will not be tolerated.