India
2026 Indian holidays
A list of India holidays for 2026, including observed dates and stock market closures.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | Makar Sankranti / Pongal | Public holiday | – |
| Monday, January 26, 2026 | Republic Day | Public holiday | – |
| Saturday, March 14, 2026 | Holi | Public holiday | – |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 | Good Friday | Public holiday | – |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | Dr Ambedkar Jayanti | Public holiday | – |
| Saturday, August 15, 2026 | Independence Day | Public holiday | – |
| Friday, October 2, 2026 | Gandhi Jayanti | Public holiday | – |
| Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | Public holiday | – |
| Sunday, November 8, 2026 | Diwali (Deepavali) | Public holiday | – |
| Friday, December 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | Public holiday | – |
Source basis: Government of India — gazetted holidays. Last updated: June 2026.
BSE and NSE holidays 2026
Market holiday reference. Verify exact closures and early-close schedules directly with the exchange.
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | Makar Sankranti | – |
| Monday, January 26, 2026 | Republic Day | – |
| Saturday, March 14, 2026 | Holi | – |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 | Good Friday | – |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | Dr Ambedkar Jayanti | – |
| Saturday, August 15, 2026 | Independence Day | – |
| Friday, October 2, 2026 | Gandhi Jayanti / Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | – |
| Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Dussehra | – |
| Sunday, November 8, 2026 | Diwali | – |
| Friday, December 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | – |
Source reference: BSE trading holidays. Verify directly with the exchange before trading decisions.
About these holidays
Republic Day
Celebrates the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950. It is a national gazetted holiday marked by the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
Observed by
All of India — central and state government offices, banks, schools
Date rule
Always January 26.
- Is Republic Day a gazetted holiday?
- Yes. Republic Day is one of three national holidays (along with Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti) observed across all states and union territories.
- What happens on Republic Day?
- The main celebration is the Republic Day Parade along Rajpath in New Delhi, showcasing military bands, cultural tableaux, and a flypast. Smaller parades are held in state capitals.
Holi
The Hindu Festival of Colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. People throw colored powder and water at each other.
Observed by
Widely observed across India and Nepal; gazetted holiday in most states
Date rule
Full moon day of the Hindu month Phalguna (typically March).
- When is Holi in 2026?
- Holi falls on March 14, 2026.
- Is Holi a public holiday?
- Yes, Holi is a gazetted holiday in India. Most government offices, banks and schools are closed.
Independence Day
Marks India's independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. The Prime Minister addresses the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi.
Observed by
All of India — central and state government, banks, schools
Date rule
Always August 15.
- Is August 15 a national holiday?
- Yes. Independence Day is one of three national holidays observed throughout India, along with Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.
Gandhi Jayanti
Marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. It is a national holiday and the International Day of Non-Violence.
Observed by
All of India — central and state government, banks, schools
Date rule
Always October 2.
- Is Gandhi Jayanti a dry day?
- Yes. October 2 is observed as a dry day across India, meaning the sale of alcohol is prohibited.
Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
Celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Effigies of Ravana are burned in many communities.
Observed by
Widely observed across India; gazetted holiday in most states
Date rule
Tenth day of the Hindu month Ashvin (typically September or October).
- When is Dussehra in 2026?
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on October 20, 2026.
Diwali (Deepavali)
The Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes are decorated with lamps and candles, and fireworks are common.
Observed by
Widely observed across India and globally; gazetted holiday in India
Date rule
New moon day of the Hindu month Kartik (typically October or November).
- When is Diwali in 2026?
- Diwali (Deepavali) falls on November 8, 2026.
- Is Diwali a public holiday?
- Yes, Diwali is a gazetted holiday in India. Government offices, banks and most businesses are closed.
Makar Sankranti / Pongal
A harvest festival marking the sun's transition into Capricorn. Known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, and Makar Sankranti in other regions.
Observed by
Pan-India, especially Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Karnataka, and Maharashtra
Date rule
Always January 14 (or January 15 in some years).
- Is Pongal the same as Makar Sankranti?
- Yes. Pongal is the Tamil name for the harvest festival that is called Makar Sankranti in northern and western India. Both are celebrated around January 14.
Ugadi / Telugu New Year
The Telugu and Kannada New Year, marking the start of a new lunar cycle. Celebrated with rituals, special foods and cultural events in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
Observed by
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra (as Gudi Padwa)
Date rule
First day of the Hindu month Chaitra (typically March or April).
- When is Ugadi in 2026?
- Ugadi falls on March 30, 2026.
- Is Ugadi a public holiday?
- It is a gazetted holiday in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. It is not a national holiday.
Tamil New Year (Puthandu)
The Tamil solar New Year, marking the start of the Tamil month Chithirai. Celebrated with new clothes, feasts and temple visits in Tamil Nadu.
Observed by
Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Tamil communities worldwide
Date rule
Typically April 14, following the Tamil solar calendar.
- When is Tamil New Year in 2026?
- Puthandu (Tamil New Year) falls on April 14, 2026.
Practical uses
PTO and leave planning
Use this list to plan your annual leave around Indian public holidays. Combining a holiday with a weekend can create longer breaks — see the indian long weekends in 2026 for pre-built three-day and four-day weekends.
Payroll and deadlines
Public holidays affect payroll processing deadlines and direct deposit schedules. When a holiday falls on a weekday, it reduces the number of business days in that period. See business days in 2026 for net working day counts per month.
School and childcare
Public holidays typically mean school closures, but exact dates vary by state, province or region. Check your local school district or education authority for the full academic calendar.
Travel and events
Book travel early around major holidays like Makar Sankranti / Pongal and Christmas Day when demand — and prices — are typically highest.
Frequently asked questions
- Do holidays that fall on a weekend get observed on a different day?
- When a gazetted holiday falls on a weekend, no substitute day is typically declared, though some states may issue separate notifications.
- Are these national or regional holidays?
- These are nationally gazetted holidays. Individual states and union territories declare additional holidays, and dates for some festivals vary by region.
- Can I download these holidays for my calendar app?
- Yes. Download the ICS file to import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. Or download the CSV file to open in Excel or Google Sheets.
- How many gazetted holidays fall on weekdays in 2026?
- 7 of the 10 gazetted holidays in 2026 fall on weekdays. 3 fall on a weekend.