What Are Indian Holidays?
Indian holidays are officially recognized days when government offices, banks, educational institutions, and many businesses remain closed to observe national events, religious festivals, and regional celebrations. These holidays represent India’s cultural diversity and include occasions celebrated across different religions and communities.
In India, holidays are mainly classified into National Holidays, Bank Holidays, and Trading Holidays. While some holidays are observed nationwide, others depend on state-specific traditions and financial regulations. Understanding holiday schedules is important for travel, banking, investments, and daily financial planning.
Types of Holidays in India
| Holiday Type | Declared By | Who is Affected |
|---|---|---|
| National Holidays | Central Government | Entire country |
| Bank Holidays | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | Banks and financial institutions |
| Trading Holidays | Stock Exchanges (BSE, NSE, MCX) | Traders and investors |
List of Public and Government Holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana |
| 3 January 2026 | Saturday | Hazrat Ali Jayanti | Uttar Pradesh |
| 26 January 2026 | Monday | Republic Day | Across India |
| 15 February 2026 | Sunday | Maha Shivaratri | Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh |
| 3 March 2026 | Tuesday | Holi | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh |
| 20 March 2026 | Friday | Ugadi | Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Telangana |
| 21 March 2026 | Saturday | Idul Fitr | Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal |
| 27 March 2026 | Friday | Ram Navami | Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh |
| 31 March 2026 | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti | Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh |
| 2 April 2026 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Kerala |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | National except Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir |
| 5 April 2026 | Sunday | Easter Day | Nagaland and Kerala |
| 14 April 2026 | Tuesday | Vaisakhi | Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab |
| 14 April 2026 | Tuesday | Ambedkar Jayanti | Tripura and West Bengal |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | International Workers Day | Maharashtra and Karnataka |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal |
| 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Bakrid / Eid al Adha | National except Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Sikkim |
| 26 June 2026 | Friday | Muharram | National except Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Haryana, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Pondicherry, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Bengal |
| 16 July 2026 | Thursday | Rath Yatra | Odisha |
| 15 August 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day | Across India |
| 4 September 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami | Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh |
| 14 September 2026 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi | Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana |
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | Across India |
| 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | Dussehra / Vijayadashami | Across India |
| 8 November 2026 | Sunday | Diwali | Across India |
| 24 November 2026 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Across India |
Top 10 Festival Holidays in India 2026
India, the second most populated country in the world, has many religions, traditions, and cultural celebrations. Festivals in India are celebrated with great enthusiasm across different states and communities. Most Indian festivals symbolize happiness, devotion, seasonal change, and the victory of good over evil.
The 10 major festivals celebrated across the country include Diwali, Holi, Maha Shivaratri, Ramadan, Raksha Bandhan, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Vaisakhi.
Diwali: Diwali is the Festival of Lights, is normally celebrated in the month of October or November every year. It is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Homes, temples, and streets are decorated with diyas, candles, and colorful rangoli designs.
Holi: Holi is the Festival of Colors, is normally celebrated in the month of March every year. During this festival, people apply colors to each other, enjoy festive sweets, and celebrate with music and gatherings. Holi symbolizes joy, unity, and the arrival of spring season.
Maha Shivaratri: Maha Shivaratri means the night of Lord Shiva and is celebrated with fasting, prayers, and temple visits. Devotees offer milk and Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva while devotional singing and spiritual activities continue throughout the night.
Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr: Ramadan is a holy month observed by Muslims through fasting, prayer, and charity. It concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr, which is celebrated with family gatherings, festive meals, gifts, and acts of kindness.
Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan is a festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a sacred Rakhi thread on their brothers’ wrists, while brothers promise protection and exchange gifts.
Durga Puja: Durga Puja is mainly celebrated in West Bengal and eastern parts of India. The festival honors Goddess Durga and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Large decorative pandals, cultural performances, and community celebrations are important parts of the festival.
Dussehra: Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated to mark Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. The festival represents the triumph of truth and righteousness and is observed with fairs, processions, and effigy burning ceremonies.
Krishna Janmashtami: Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna and is usually observed in August or September. Devotees participate in fasting, devotional singing, temple prayers, and Dahi Handi celebrations.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is especially popular in Maharashtra. The festival includes idol installations, prayers, music, cultural events, and grand immersion processions.
Vaisakhi: Vaisakhi is an important harvest festival celebrated mainly in Punjab and northern India. It also marks the Sikh New Year and is celebrated with traditional dances, fairs, music, and community meals.
Why Holiday Dates Matter for Your Financial Decisions
Holiday awareness is a YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) topic. Missing a bank holiday can directly affect your finances. Here is what you need to plan around:
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EMI & Loan Repayments: NEFT, RTGS, and auto-debit mandates may not process on RBI bank holidays. Schedule repayments at least one business day in advance to avoid late payment charges or CIBIL score impacts.
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Salary Credits & Vendor Payments: Businesses should process payroll and supplier payments early to prevent delays caused by holiday closures.
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Investment Transactions: Mutual fund purchases, SIP deductions, and redemption requests may get processed on the next working day if submitted during holidays.
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Cheque Clearance Delays: Physical cheque settlements may remain pending until banks reopen after holidays.
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Travel & Emergency Cash Planning: ATM cash availability and branch services may vary during long holiday weekends, making advance planning important.
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Stock Market Closures: Trading opportunities can be affected when exchanges remain closed during official market holidays.
How the RBI Bank Holiday List Works
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes an official bank holiday calendar every year for banks and financial institutions across India. The list helps banks maintain uniform operational schedules while allowing flexibility for regional holidays.
Important points about RBI bank holidays include:
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National Holidays Apply Across India: Holidays such as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti are observed nationwide.
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Regional Holidays Differ by State: Banks may remain closed in specific states during local festivals and cultural events.
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Negotiable Instruments Act Holidays: Certain holidays are declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, affecting cheque clearing and banking transactions.
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Digital Banking Usually Remains Active: Services like UPI, mobile banking, and internet banking generally continue functioning even when physical branches are closed.
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Advance Holiday Notifications: RBI releases annual holiday schedules in advance to help individuals and businesses plan transactions efficiently.
Stock Market Trading Holidays: BSE, NSE & MCX
Indian stock exchanges including BSE, NSE, and MCX follow a yearly trading holiday calendar announced in advance for investors and traders.
Key things to know about trading holidays:
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Equity Markets Remain Closed: Share trading on BSE and NSE stops during official trading holidays.
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Commodity Market Timings May Differ: MCX may operate partially during evening sessions on selected holidays.
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Settlement Cycles Can Be Delayed: Fund transfers, settlement processes, and share deliveries may move to the next business day.
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Muhurat Trading Sessions: Special short trading sessions are sometimes conducted during Diwali.
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Holiday Calendars Are Publicly Available: Exchanges publish annual schedules to help investors plan trading activities.
State-Wise Holiday Variations
India’s diverse culture allows states to declare holidays based on regional traditions, festivals, and historical events. As a result, holiday schedules can vary significantly across different parts of the country.
Important aspects of state-wise holiday variations include:
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Regional Festivals Influence Closures: Holidays like Pongal, Onam, Bihu, and Durga Puja may only apply in specific states.
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Bank Holidays May Differ Across States: A bank branch in one state may remain open while another branch in a different state stays closed.
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Business Operations Can Be Affected: Companies operating across multiple states must track local holiday calendars carefully.
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Schools & Government Offices Follow State Rules: Educational institutions and public offices often observe state-specific holidays.
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Travel Planning Becomes Important: Transportation availability and public services may change during regional holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the three main types of holidays in India?
The three main types are National Holidays, Bank Holidays, and Trading Holidays.
2. Who decides bank holidays in India?
Bank holidays are announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) along with state-specific notifications.
3. Are stock markets closed on all public holidays?
No. Stock exchanges close only on officially declared trading holidays.
4. Do all states in India follow the same holiday calendar?
No. Each state can declare regional holidays based on local festivals and traditions.
5. Can online banking services work during holidays?
Yes. UPI, internet banking, and mobile banking services generally remain available during holidays.
Disclaimer
This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Holiday schedules, banking operations, and stock market trading calendars may change based on official notifications issued by the Government of India, RBI, BSE, NSE, MCX, or respective state authorities. Readers should always verify the latest official holiday list before making financial, banking, investment, or travel decisions.