The Central Government Holiday List 2026 is the official calendar released by the Government of India. It applies to all central government offices, ministries, and public sector companies (CPSUs).
This list is very important not just for government employees, but also for banks, students, and private companies that need to coordinate their work with government departments.
Who Issues This List?
This list is released by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), which is part of the Government of India. They publish an official notification (PDF) that sets the standard holidays for the entire year.
Types of Holidays
The government divides holidays into two clear categories:
1. Gazetted Holidays (Mandatory) These are the compulsory holidays. All central government offices across India must remain closed on these days.
- Examples: Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Christmas, and major religious festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Dussehra.
2. Restricted Holidays (Optional) These are optional holidays. They are usually regional or specific religious festivals that are not observed by everyone.
- How it works: Employees are given a list of Restricted Holidays (RH) and can choose to take leave on a few of these days based on their personal preferences or religious beliefs.
Why Is This List Important?
- For Employees: It helps them plan their leaves and family vacations.
- For Banks: It determines when financial services will be closed.
- For Students: It helps aspirants preparing for exams like UPSC or SSC know the schedule.
Monthly Overview
While exact dates change every year based on the calendar, here is what to expect:
- January: Includes Republic Day (National Holiday).
- March: Usually includes festivals like Holi.
- April: Often includes religious holidays like Good Friday or Mahavir Jayanti.
- August: Includes Independence Day (National Holiday).
- October: Includes Gandhi Jayanti (National Holiday) and often festivals like Dussehra or Diwali.
- December: Includes Christmas.
Note on State-Specific Rules
While the main Gazetted Holidays are the same everywhere, Central Government offices located in different states may change up to three holidays to match important local festivals in that specific state. Therefore, employees should always check with their local office for the final confirmed dates.