India has only 3 mandatory national holidays, but each of its 28 states and 8 union territories observes additional regional holidays based on local cultural, religious, and historical significance. An employee in Tamil Nadu expects Pongal and Tamil New Year. A colleague in West Bengal gets Durga Puja. Neither appears on the national calendar. For employers with teams spread across India, understanding these regional variations is essential for payroll accuracy and employee satisfaction.
This guide maps India’s national and state-specific holidays for 2026, helping you plan across one of the world’s most diverse holiday calendars.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
Key Takeaways
- India has only 3 mandatory national holidays
- Each state declares its own list of gazetted and restricted holidays
- Employees are entitled to 10–12 holidays per year, chosen from both national and state lists
- Religious holidays vary significantly by region and community
- Employers must maintain state-specific holiday calendars for compliance
National Holidays (All States)
These three holidays are compulsory across all states and union territories:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January | Monday |
| Independence Day | 15 August | Saturday |
| Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October | Friday |
National holidays are mandatory for all establishments. Shops and commercial establishments must remain closed, though essential services can operate with prior permission.
How Indian Holiday System Works
India’s holiday framework has two categories:
- Gazetted holidays — mandatory for all government offices and typically observed by private employers
- Restricted holidays — optional holidays that individual employees can choose based on their religion or community
Under the Shops and Establishments Act (which varies by state), employees are entitled to a minimum number of paid holidays per year, typically 10–12. The employee selects from both gazetted and restricted holidays.
State-Specific Gazetted Holidays by Region
North India
| State | Key Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Guru Nanak Jayanti, Holi |
| Uttar Pradesh | Holi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti |
| Punjab | Guru Nanak Jayanti, Baisakhi, Hola Mohalla |
| Haryana | Hola Mohalla, Haryana Day (1 November) |
| Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Day (15 April), Kangra Dussehra |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Urs of Sheikh Noor-ud-din |
South India
| State | Key Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal, Tamil New Year (14 April), Milad-un-Nabi |
| Karnataka | Karnataka Rajyotsava (1 November), Ugadi |
| Kerala | Onam, Vishu, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha |
| Andhra Pradesh | Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Telangana | Bathukamma, Bonalu, Eid-ul-Fitr |
East India
| State | Key Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| West Bengal | Durga Puja (multiple days), Eid-ul-Fitr, Independence Day |
| Odisha | Raja Parba, Jagannath Rath Yatra, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Bihar | Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Chhath Puja |
| Jharkhand | Karma Puja, Eid-ul-Fitr, Sarhul |
| Assam | Bihu (multiple), Eid-ul-Fitr, Karma |
West India
| State | Key Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Gujarat | Uttarayan (2 January), Navratri, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Rajasthan | Guru Purnima, Teej, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Goa | Goa Liberation Day (19 December), Eid-ul-Fitr |
Northeast India
| State | Key Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Manipur | Yaoshang (Holi), Eid-ul-Fitr, Ningol Chakouba |
| Meghalaya | Nongkrem Dance, Shillong Autumn Festival |
| Nagaland | Hornbill Festival (1 December), Moatsu |
| Mizoram | Chapchar Kut, Pawl Kut |
| Tripura | Kharchi Puja, Garia Puja |
Common Religious Holidays Across States
While the specific gazetted holidays vary, these religious observances appear in most state calendars:
| Holiday | States Where Common |
|---|---|
| Eid-ul-Fitr | All states |
| Eid-ul-Adha | All states |
| Diwali | Most states (date varies) |
| Holi | Most states |
| Christmas | All states |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Most states |
| Buddha Purnima | Most states |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Most states |
| Muharram | Most states |
Restricted Holidays: Employee Choice
Restricted holidays allow employees to choose days off based on their personal religious or cultural observance. An employee in Tamil Nadu who is Muslim might choose Milad-un-Nabi as a restricted holiday. A Hindu employee in the same state might choose a regional festival.
Employers typically provide 2–3 restricted holidays in addition to the gazetted holidays. The employee selects from a list approved by the state government.
2026 National Holiday Calendar
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January | Monday |
| Maha Shivaratri | 15 February | Sunday |
| Holi | 10 March | Tuesday |
| Id-ul-Fitr | 20 March | Friday |
| Ram Navami | 15 April | Wednesday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | 2 April | Thursday |
| Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti | 14 April | Tuesday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Buddha Purnima | 1 May | Friday |
| Id-ul-Zuha | 27 May | Thursday |
| Independence Day | 15 August | Saturday |
| Janmashtami | 5 September | Saturday |
| Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October | Friday |
| Dussehra | 20 October | Tuesday |
| Milad-un-Nabi | 17 November | Tuesday |
| Diwali | 8 November | Sunday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | 26 November | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
What This Means for Employers
Maintain State-Specific Calendars
A single national calendar doesn’t cover your obligations. Map each employee to their state’s gazetted and restricted holidays.
Allow Restricted Holiday Selection
Let employees choose their restricted holidays from the state-approved list. This respects religious diversity and ensures compliance.
Track Holiday Usage
Monitor how many holidays each employee takes. The Shops and Establishments Act typically requires a minimum number, but employees may want more than the minimum.
Handle Multi-State Operations
If you have employees in multiple states, you need per-state holiday calendars. A holiday that’s gazetted in Maharashtra may be restricted in Karnataka.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many holidays are Indian employees entitled to?
Under most state Shops and Establishments Acts, employees are entitled to 10–12 paid holidays per year. The exact number varies by state. This includes national holidays, state gazetted holidays, and restricted holidays.
Can an employer reduce the number of holidays?
No. The minimum number of holidays is set by state law. You can offer more, but you cannot reduce below the statutory minimum.
Are employees required to work on national holidays?
National holidays are mandatory closures for most establishments. Essential services (hospitals, utilities, transport) can operate but must provide compensatory off or premium pay.
How do restricted holidays work?
Restricted holidays are optional holidays that employees can choose based on their religion or personal observance. Employers must grant these when requested, within the limits set by your policy (typically 2–3 per year).
Do remote workers get state-specific holidays?
Yes. The state where the employee physically works determines their holiday entitlements. An employee working from Tamil Nadu is entitled to Pongal, even if your company is based in Maharashtra.