2026 Govt Holiday List Now Live. As the year 2025 draws to a close, the Central Government has released the official holiday list for the coming year, 2026. This circular includes complete details of all holidays, from mandatory holidays to optional and restricted holidays, for central government employees working across India. People can also view festival holidays and plan their holidays here.
Knowing the holiday list in advance makes planning easier. Therefore, whether you work in a government or private company, you should check the list of holidays here.
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Compulsory Holidays for Central Government Employees
The Central Government has released a list of 14 compulsory holidays applicable throughout India. These holidays will apply to all central government offices.
- Republic Day
- Independence Day
- Gandhi Jayanti
- Buddha Purnima
- Christmas
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
- Diwali (Deepawali)
- Good Friday
- Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Eid al-Fitr
- Eid al-Zuha (Bakrid)
- Mahavir Jayanti
- Muharram
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
A Wide Choice of Optional Holidays (Optional Holidays 2026)
Employees can choose two optional holidays of their choice from these holidays. For employees working in Delhi, the DoPT has designated three festivals, while employees working outside Delhi can choose three holidays according to their state’s list.
These include Holi, Janmashtami, Shivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Onam, Rath Yatra, Shri Panchami, Basant Panchami, Vishu, Bihu, Gudi Padwa, Chhath Puja, Karva Chauth, etc.
Gazetted Holidays for Delhi/New Delhi in 2026
The central government has also released a complete list of public holidays applicable in Delhi and New Delhi:
| S.No | Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Republic Day | 26 January | Monday |
| 2 | Holi | 4 March | Wednesday |
| 3 | Eid-ul-Fitr | 29 March | Sunday |
| 4 | Ram Navami | 31 March | Tuesday |
| 5 | Mahavir Jayanti | 1 April | Wednesday |
| 6 | Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| 7 | Buddha Purnima | 31 May | Sunday |
| 8 | Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha) | 26 June | Friday |
| 9 | Muharram | 26 June | Friday |
| 10 | Independence Day | 15 August | Saturday |
| 11 | Janmashtami | 4 September | Friday |
| 12 | Eid-e-Milad | 24 September | Thursday |
| 13 | Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October | Friday |
| 14 | Dussehra | 21 October | Wednesday |
| 15 | Diwali | 21 November | Saturday |
| 16 | Guru Nanak Jayanti | 29 November | Sunday |
| 17 | Christmas | 25 December | Friday |
Restricted Holidays for Delhi 2026
Employees can choose any two of these holidays:
- New Year – January 1
- Makar Sankranti – January 14
- Basant Panchami – January 16
- Guru Ravidas Jayanti – February 12
- Maha Shivratri – February 26
- Holika Dahan – March 3
- Gudi Padwa/Ugadi – March 19
- Easter Sunday – April 5
- Tagore Jayanti – May 8
- Onam – August 26
- Raksha Bandhan – August 26
- Ganesh Chaturthi – September 14
- Dussehra (Saptami-Navami) – October 18-20
- Karwa Chauth – October 30
- Chhath Puja – November 19
- Christmas Eve – December 24
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Notes-
The dates of Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Zuha, Muharram, and Eid-e-Milad depend on the lunar phases. These are determined based on the current regulations, so changes are possible. The government will notify these separately.