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National & Festival Holidays in India 2026: A Complete State-wise Perspective

Created By : Anoop Kumar | Manager- Labour Law

 

Holidays in India reflect the country’s rich social and cultural diversity, spanning national milestones, religious observances, and regional traditions, and go beyond time away from work to celebrate shared identity and cultural life. In a nation shaped by multiple histories and belief systems, national holidays help build a collective sense of pride across the country, while regional and festival holidays allow communities to celebrate their unique traditions and customs. Together, they reflect the inclusive and pluralistic character of the nation.

 

Every year, the Central Government and the respective State Governments issue official notifications announcing the list of National and Festival Holidays for the forthcoming year. These notifications are significant for businesses, organizations, and employees alike, as they support workforce planning while allowing time for celebration and meaningful cultural camaraderie. 

 

The National and Festival Holidays Notification for the year 2026 follows a familiar framework, comprising holidays observed uniformly across the country along with state-specific and regional festivals. Set out below is a state-wise holiday calendar, along with an overview of the provisions applicable to employees required to work on notified holidays, as prescribed under the respective State Government notifications.

 

S.No

State / UT

Published On

No. National Holidays

No. of Festival Holidays Allowed

Provision if worked on NH/FH(Double the Wages/ Comp off)

1

Andaman & Nicobar

12-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

To be provided with either Compensatory holiday or double the ordinary rate of wages in lieu of such holiday if he is required to work on such comp off
within thirty days from the date of such holiday

2

Andhra Pradesh

04-Dec-25

4

Please select any 4 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

If an employee works on any holiday shall at his option be entitled to(i) Twice the wages (ii) Wages for such holiday and to avail himself a substituted holiday with wages on one of the three days immediately before or after the day on which he so works
within ninety days from the day on which he so worked on which he so works.

3

Assam

17-Nov-25

4

Please select any 3 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

No specific provision exists in the Act

4

Bihar

19-Aug-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the rate of ordinary wages calculated by the hour

5

Chandighar

30-Dec-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the rate of ordinary wages calculated by the hour

6

Chhattisgarh

06-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

If employees are required to work on any holiday shall be Paid for the work done on each national and festival holiday with wages; wages for holiday; wages for work done and additional wages for one day.
employees who will actually work either on the preceding day; or as the case may be; on the succeeding day of such holiday shall be entitled to avail of such holiday.

7

Delhi

04-Dec-25

3

Please select any 4 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

No specific provision exists in the Act

8

Goa

30-Sep-25

5

Please select any 2 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Double the amount of the daily wages and also be granted leave on any other day in lieu of the holiday

9

Gujarat

27-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Double the amount of the ordinary rate of wages and also leave on any other day in lieu of the compulsory holiday

10

Haryana

16-Dec-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the rate of ordinary wages calculated by the hour

11

Himachal Pradesh

23-Oct-25

3

Please select any 3 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the rate of ordinary wages calculated by the hour

12

Jammu & Kashmir

12-Dec-25

3

Please select any 4 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

twice the wages ; or substituted holiday
within six months from the holiday on which he so works.

13

Jharkhand

17-Dec-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the rate of ordinary wages calculated by the hour

14

Karnataka

17-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Double the Wages or 1 day wages plus one day off

15

Kerala

31-Oct-25

4

Please select any 9 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the wages and to avail himself of a substituted holiday on any other day

16

Ladakh

14-Nov-25

4

Please select any 4 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the wages ; or substituted holiday
Within six months from the holiday on which he so works.

17

Madya Pradesh

29-Dec-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

If an employees is required to work on any holiday shall be Paid for the work done on each national and festival holiday with wages; wages for holiday; wages for work done and additional wages for one day.
employees who will actually work either on the preceding day; or as the case may be; on the succeeding day of such holiday shall be entitled to avail of such holiday.

18

Maharashtra

05-Dec-25

4

Please select any 4 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Double the Wages and Comp off

19

Manipur

03-Dec-25

3

Please select any 3 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Not Specified

20

Meghalaya

21-Oct-25

4

Please select any 3 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Not Specified

21

Mizoram

29-Sep-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Comp off with wages If such any establishment is required to work on such Comp Off; he shall be paid additional wages equal to the ordinary rate of wages in lieu of such holiday.
within 30 Days

22

Odisha

11-Nov-25

4

Please select any 4 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

(a) twice the wages; or (b) wages for such day and to avail himself of a substituted holiday with wages on any other day within six months from the holiday; on which heso works.
Within 6 months

23

Puducherry

13-Nov-25

4

Please select any 3 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

(i)twice the wages; or (ii) wages for such day and to avail himself of a substituted holiday with wages on any other day.

24

Punjab

26-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the ordinary rate of wages payable to him

25

Sikkim

10-Oct-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

Twice the wages or substituted holiday with wages within six months of the holiday on which he/she works

26

Tamil Nadu

11-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

(a) twice the wages; or (b) wages for such day and to avail himself of a substituted holiday with wages

27

Telangana

19-Dec-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

If an employee works on any holiday shall at his option be entitled to i; Twice the wages ii; Wages for such holiday and to avail himself a substituted holiday with wages on one of the three days immediately before or after the day on which he so works

28

Uttar Pradesh

17-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

twice the wages for a day; or at the option of the employee; wages for that day; and also a substituted holiday with wages falling within the next calendar month

29

Uttarakhand

18-Nov-25

3

Please select any 5 Festival holiday from the shared Notification

twice the wages for a day; or at the option of the employee; wages for that day; and also a substituted holiday with wages falling within the next calendar month

30

West Bengal

27-Nov-25

5

Not Specified (Notification)

Twice the ordinary rate of wages payable to him

 

The holiday schedule helps employers plan operations efficiently while ensuring compliance and promoting a more inclusive and balanced workplace. It also allows businesses and employees to plan the year ahead with clarity, while staying aligned with applicable labour law requirements.

 

Whether you are an employer aligning HR policies, a compliance professional tracking statutory requirements, or an employee planning your year ahead, this consolidated overview aims to serve as a practical and informative reference for the year 2026.

 

For more information on penalties applicable to non-compliance with holiday provisions, please feel free to write to us at info@akmglobal.in.

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