India 2026 Public Holidays

New Year's Day

1 January. In many countries the day off moves to the following Monday when it falls on a weekend.

The first day of the Gregorian calendar year, and the most widely observed public holiday in the world — a day off in almost every country that uses the Gregorian calendar, regardless of religion. Several countries extend the break to 2 January, and some in East Asia keep both the Gregorian and a separate lunar new year.

Republic Day

The anniversary of the founding of the republic — varies by country.

Marks the adoption of a republican constitution or the end of a monarchy. Observed in India, Italy, Turkey, Portugal and a number of other states.

Maha Shivaratri

The fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of Phalguna, in February or March.

The great night of Shiva, kept with fasting and all-night vigil. A public holiday in India, Nepal and Mauritius.

Holi

The full moon of Phalguna, in February or March.

The spring festival of colours, marking the victory of good over evil and the end of winter. A public holiday in India, Nepal, Suriname and Guyana.

Good Friday

The Friday before Easter Sunday.

Commemorates the crucifixion, and is the most widely observed Christian public holiday after Christmas. Together with Easter Monday it produces a four-day weekend in much of Europe, the Commonwealth and Latin America. In several countries it also carries trading or entertainment restrictions beyond the day off itself.

Independence Day

The anniversary of the country's independence — a different date in every country.

The national day of a country that gained independence from another state, and typically its most important secular holiday. Over a hundred countries observe one, on dates ranging across the whole calendar.

Milad un Nabi

12 Rabi' al-Awwal — 17 Rabi' al-Awwal in the Shia tradition.

Mawlid, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. A public holiday across most of the Muslim world, though Saudi Arabia and Qatar do not observe it.

Raksha Bandhan

The full moon of Shravana, in August.

Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, marked by tying a protective thread. An observance rather than a day off in most of India.

Janmashtami

The eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, in August or September.

Marks the birth of Krishna, observed with night vigils and fasting.

Ganesh Chaturthi

The fourth day of Bhadrapada, in August or September.

Celebrates the birth of Ganesha. Largest in Maharashtra, where the ten-day festival ends with the immersion of clay images.

Dussehra

The tenth day of Navaratri, in September or October.

Celebrates Rama's victory over Ravana, closing the nine nights of Navaratri. A public holiday across India and in Nepal, where it is the longest festival of the year.

Diwali/Deepavali

The new moon of Kartik on the Hindu lunisolar calendar, in October or November.

The festival of lights, the largest Hindu festival of the year and also observed by Sikhs and Jains. A public holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

Christmas Eve

24 December.

The evening of 24 December is the main celebration in the Nordics, Germany, Poland and much of Central Europe, where gifts are exchanged that night rather than on Christmas morning. Often a half day or a de facto day off rather than a statutory holiday.