India Holiday List 2026: Complete Guide with Dates, History, Significance & Travel Tips

Introduction to Indian Holidays 2026
- Types of Holidays in India
- How Holidays Are Decided in India
- Importance of Knowing Holiday Calendars
🗓 National Holidays (Gazetted Holidays) in 2026
- Republic Day (26 January)
- Independence Day (15 August)
- Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
- Full List with Dates & Significance
🏦 Bank Holidays in India 2026 (RBI Calendar)
- Monthly Bank Holiday List
- Second & Fourth Saturday Holidays
- Impact on NEFT/RTGS Transactions
📈 Stock Market Holidays 2026 (NSE & BSE)
- Trading Holidays for Equity, F&O, and Commodity Markets
- Muhurat Trading 2026 (Diwali Special Session)
🌍 State-Wise Holiday List 2026
- North India (Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, J&K, Uttarakhand)
- South India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)
- East India (West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand)
- West India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Rajasthan)
- North-East India (Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland)
- Union Territories (Puducherry, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Andaman)
🎉 Major Festivals & Religious Holidays in 2026
- Hindu Festivals (Diwali, Holi, Makar Sankranti, Navratri, Dussehra)
- Islamic Holidays (Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Muharram)
- Christian Festivals (Christmas, Good Friday, Easter)
- Sikh Festivals (Guru Nanak Jayanti, Baisakhi, Holla Mohalla)
- Buddhist & Jain Festivals (Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti)
- Regional Festivals (Pongal, Onam, Bihu, Ugadi, Vaisakhi)
🏖 Long Weekend Calendar 2026 (Best Travel Plans)
- How to Maximize Leave for Extended Vacations
- Top Destinations for Each Long Weekend
- Budget Travel Tips
🏛 Government & Public Sector Holidays 2026
- Central Government Holidays
- State Government Offices
- Public Sector Banks & PSUs
🎓 School & College Holidays 2026 (Academic Calendar)
- Summer Vacations
- Winter Breaks
- Exam Holidays
💼 Corporate & Office Holiday Policies in 2026

How Companies Decide Holidays
Optional vs. Mandatory Holidays
Work-from-Home Policies During Festivals

🚆 Travel & Tourism Tips for 2026 Holidays

Best Time to Book Flights & Hotels
Avoiding Crowds During Peak Seasons
Offbeat Destinations for Each Holiday

📅 Restricted Holidays 2026 (Optional Holidays)

How to Choose Restricted Holidays
List of Restricted Holidays by State

🔮 Astrological & Auspicious Days in 2026

Hindu Panchang (Tithi, Nakshatra, Muhurat)
Marriage Seasons (Vivah Muhurat)
Grahan (Eclipse) Dates & Their Impact

❓ FAQs on Indian Holidays 2026

How Many Public Holidays in 2026?
Are Banks Open on Second Saturdays?
Can I Get a Holiday for My Religion’s Festival?
How to Plan a 10-Day Vacation Using Holidays?

📌 Conclusion & Final Holiday Planning Tips

1. Introduction to Indian Holidays 2026

India is a diverse country with 28 states, 8 UTs, and multiple religions, leading to a complex holiday calendar. Understanding public holidays, bank holidays, and regional festivals is crucial for:
✅ Travel planning (avoiding peak crowds & high prices)
✅ Business scheduling (avoiding delays in payments & deliveries)
✅ Stock market trading (knowing when markets are closed)
✅ Government & corporate work (planning leaves efficiently)

Types of Holidays in India

Type	Description	Example
Gazetted Holidays	Mandatory holidays for all government offices	Republic Day, Independence Day
Restricted Holidays	Optional holidays (choose 2-3 from a list)	Eid, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti
Bank Holidays	Holidays declared by RBI (includes 2nd & 4th Saturdays)	Holi, Diwali, Christmas
Stock Market Holidays	NSE & BSE closed	Muhurat Trading (Diwali)
State-Specific Holidays	Holidays unique to a state	Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Bihu (Assam)
Religious Holidays	Festivals based on lunar/solar calendars	Eid (Islamic), Diwali (Hindu)

How Are Holidays Decided in India?

Central Government declares national holidays (Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti).
State Governments add regional festivals (Onam, Bihu).
RBI & Stock Exchanges announce bank & trading holidays.
Companies & Schools follow a mix of gazetted + restricted holidays.

Why This Guide is Useful?

✔ Plan vacations around long weekends.
✔ Avoid financial delays (bank/NEFT holidays).
✔ Schedule business meetings effectively.
✔ Understand cultural significance of festivals.

2. 🗓 National Holidays (Gazetted Holidays) in 2026

These holidays are mandatory for all government offices, banks, and most private companies.

Holiday	Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Republic Day	26 January 2026	Monday	Celebrates India’s Constitution (1950)
Independence Day	15 August 2026	Saturday	India’s freedom from British rule (1947)
Gandhi Jayanti	2 October 2026	Friday	Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Detailed Breakdown of Each National Holiday

1. Republic Day (26 January 2026, Monday)

History:
- India became a republic on 26 January 1950 (the Constitution came into effect).
- Replaced the Government of India Act (1935).
Celebrations:
- Parade at Rajpath (New Delhi) (now Kartavya Path).
- Flag hoisting, cultural programs, and awards (Padma Awards).
Impact:
- All government offices, banks, and schools are closed.
- Stock markets (NSE, BSE) closed.
- Heavy security in Delhi (avoid travel delays).

2. Independence Day (15 August 2026, Saturday)

History:
- 15 August 1947: India gained independence from British rule.
- First PM Jawaharlal Nehru gave the "Tryst with Destiny" speech.
Celebrations:
- Flag hoisting at Red Fort (Delhi) by the PM.
- Kite flying, patriotic songs, and cultural events.
Impact:
- National holiday (all offices closed).
- Banks & stock markets closed.
- Traffic restrictions in major cities.

3. Gandhi Jayanti (2 October 2026, Friday)

History:
- Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948).
- Father of the Nation, leader of non-violent freedom struggle.
Celebrations:
- Prayer meetings, spinning (charkha), and cleanliness drives.
- Schools & colleges organize essay competitions.
Impact:
- Government offices & banks closed.
- Stock markets remain open (unlike Republic Day).

(Note: 2026 has a rare 3-day weekend for Gandhi Jayanti since it’s on a Friday!)

3. 🏦 Bank Holidays in India 2026 (RBI Calendar)

Banks in India follow RBI’s holiday list, which includes:
✅ National holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day).
✅ Regional festivals (varies by state).
✅ Second & Fourth Saturdays (full-day holidays).
✅ Sunday holidays (all Sundays are closed).

📅 Monthly Bank Holiday List 2026

Month	Holiday	Date (2026)	Day	Applicable States
January	New Year’s Day	1 Jan 2026	Thursday	All India
January	Makar Sankranti	14 Jan 2026	Wednesday	Most states (except Kerala, TN)
January	Republic Day	26 Jan 2026	Monday	All India
March	Holi	10 March 2026	Tuesday	All India (except Kerala, TN)
April	Good Friday	3 April 2026	Friday	All India
April	Ram Navami	17 April 2026	Friday	North & West India
May	Buddha Purnima	6 May 2026	Wednesday	All India
August	Independence Day	15 Aug 2026	Saturday	All India
August	Janmashtami	25 Aug 2026	Tuesday	North & West India
October	Gandhi Jayanti	2 Oct 2026	Friday	All India
October	Dussehra	20 Oct 2026	Tuesday	All India
November	Diwali (Laxmi Puja)	8 Nov 2026	Sunday	All India
November	Guru Nanak Jayanti	27 Nov 2026	Friday	Punjab, Haryana, Delhi
December	Christmas	25 Dec 2026	Friday	All India

💰 Impact of Bank Holidays on Transactions

NEFT/RTGS/IMPS do not work on bank holidays.
UPI & mobile banking may have delays.
ATMs & net banking remain operational.

📌 Second & Fourth Saturday Holidays 2026

Banks are closed on:

Every 2nd Saturday (e.g., 10 Jan, 14 Feb, 14 Mar).
Every 4th Saturday (e.g., 24 Jan, 28 Feb, 28 Mar).

(Full month-wise list provided in the detailed PDF version.)

4. 📈 Stock Market Holidays 2026 (NSE & BSE)

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have 15-20 holidays in 2026.

📅 Trading Holidays for Equity, F&O, and Commodity Markets

Holiday	Date (2026)	Day	Market Segment
Republic Day	26 Jan 2026	Monday	All Segments
Holi	10 March 2026	Tuesday	All Segments
Ram Navami	17 April 2026	Friday	Equity & F&O
Mahavir Jayanti	20 April 2026	Monday	All Segments
Good Friday	3 April 2026	Friday	All Segments
Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti	14 April 2026	Tuesday	Equity Only
Id-Ul-Fitr (Eid)	29 April 2026*	Wednesday	All Segments
Independence Day	15 Aug 2026	Saturday	All Segments
Ganesh Chaturthi	22 Aug 2026	Saturday	Equity Only
Muharram	1 Sept 2026*	Tuesday	All Segments
Gandhi Jayanti	2 Oct 2026	Friday	All Segments
Dussehra	20 Oct 2026	Tuesday	All Segments
Diwali (Laxmi Puja)	8 Nov 2026	Sunday	Muhurat Trading (Evening)
Guru Nanak Jayanti	27 Nov 2026	Friday	All Segments
Christmas	25 Dec 2026	Friday	All Segments

(Note: Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting—dates may vary by 1-2 days.)

🕯 Muhurat Trading 2026 (Diwali Special Session)

Date: 8 November 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM (1 hour)
Significance:
- Considered auspicious for trading.
- High liquidity & volatility (good for intraday traders).

5. 🌍 State-Wise Holiday List 2026

India’s 28 states + 8 UTs have unique regional holidays. Below is a state-wise breakdown.

🔹 North India Holidays 2026

1. Delhi (NCT)

Holiday	Date (2026)	Day
Republic Day	26 Jan	Monday
Holi	10 Mar	Tuesday
Ram Navami	17 Apr	Friday
Mahavir Jayanti	20 Apr	Monday
Buddha Purnima	6 May	Wednesday
Independence Day	15 Aug	Saturday
Janmashtami	25 Aug	Tuesday
Gandhi Jayanti	2 Oct	Friday
Dussehra	20 Oct	Tuesday
Diwali	8 Nov	Sunday
Guru Nanak Jayanti	27 Nov	Friday
Christmas	25 Dec	Friday

2. Uttar Pradesh (UP)

Extra Holidays:
- Chhath Puja (6 Nov 2026, Friday)
- Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) (TBD, Islamic calendar)

3. Punjab & Haryana

Extra Holidays:
- Holla Mohalla (10 March 2026, Tuesday – same as Holi)
- Baisakhi (14 April 2026, Tuesday)

4. Himachal Pradesh

Extra Holidays:
- Himachal Day (15 April 2026, Wednesday)

5. Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) & Ladakh

Extra Holidays:
- Eid-ul-Fitr (29 April 2026*)
- Eid-ul-Adha (TBD)
- Milad-un-Nabi (TBD)

6. Uttarakhand

Extra Holidays:
- Harela (16 July 2026, Thursday)

🔹 South India Holidays 2026

1. Tamil Nadu (TN)

Holiday	Date (2026)	Day
Pongal	14 Jan	Wednesday
Thaipusam	28 Jan	Wednesday
Tamil New Year	14 April	Tuesday
May Day	1 May	Friday

2. Kerala

Extra Holidays:
- Vishu (14 April 2026, Tuesday)
- Onam (15 Sept 2026, Tuesday)
- Easter Monday (6 April 2026, Monday)

3. Karnataka

Extra Holidays:
- Kannada Rajyotsava (1 Nov 2026, Sunday)
- Ugadi (14 April 2026, Tuesday)

4. Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Extra Holidays:
- Ugadi (14 April 2026, Tuesday)
- Bathukamma (TBD, Sept/Oct)

🔹 East India Holidays 2026

1. West Bengal

Extra Holidays:
- Dol Jatra (Holi) (10 March 2026, Tuesday)
- Rath Yatra (TBD, June/July)
- Durga Puja (TBD, Oct)

2. Odisha

Extra Holidays:
- Utkal Divas (1 April 2026, Wednesday)
- Ratha Yatra (TBD)

3. Bihar & Jharkhand

Extra Holidays:
- Chhath Puja (6 Nov 2026, Friday)

🔹 West India Holidays 2026

1. Maharashtra

Extra Holidays:
- Gudi Padwa (14 April 2026, Tuesday)
- Maharashtra Day (1 May 2026, Friday)

2. Gujarat

Extra Holidays:
- Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year) (14 April 2026, Tuesday)

3. Goa

Extra Holidays:
- Goa Liberation Day (19 Dec 2026, Saturday)

4. Rajasthan

Extra Holidays:
- Gangaur (TBD, March/April)

🔹 North-East India Holidays 2026

1. Assam

Extra Holidays:
- Bihu (Bohag Bihu) (14 April 2026, Tuesday)

2. Sikkim

Extra Holidays:
- Losar (Tibetan New Year) (TBD, Feb/March)

3. Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland

Extra Holidays:
- Christmas (Major Holiday) (25 Dec 2026, Friday)

🔹 Union Territories (UTs) Holidays 2026

UT	Extra Holidays
Puducherry	Bastille Day (14 July)
Chandigarh	Follows Punjab/Haryana
Lakshadweep	Milad-un-Nabi (Islamic)
Andaman & Nicobar	Island Tourism Festival (TBD)

6. 🎉 Major Festivals & Religious Holidays in 2026

🕉 Hindu Festivals 2026

Festival	Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Makar Sankranti	14 Jan	Wednesday	Harvest festival, kite flying
Holi	10 Mar	Tuesday	Festival of colors
Ram Navami	17 Apr	Friday	Birth of Lord Rama
Hanuman Jayanti	1 May	Friday	Birth of Lord Hanuman
Ratha Yatra	TBD (June/July)	-	Chariot festival (Puri)
Janmashtami	25 Aug	Tuesday	Birth of Lord Krishna
Ganesh Chaturthi	22 Aug	Saturday	Lord Ganesha’s birthday
Navratri (Sharad)	20 Oct - 28 Oct	-	9-day fasting & worship
Dussehra	20 Oct	Tuesday	Victory of good over evil
Diwali (Deepavali)	8 Nov	Sunday	Festival of lights
Chhath Puja	6 Nov	Friday	Sun worship (Bihar/UP)

☪ Islamic Holidays 2026 (Depend on Moon Sighting)

Festival	Expected Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Eid-ul-Fitr	~29 April	Wednesday	End of Ramadan
Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid)	~TBD (July)	-	Sacrifice festival
Muharram	~1 Sept	Tuesday	Islamic New Year
Milad-un-Nabi	~TBD (Oct)	-	Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

✝ Christian Festivals 2026

Festival	Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Good Friday	3 April	Friday	Crucifixion of Jesus
Easter Sunday	5 April	Sunday	Resurrection of Jesus
Christmas	25 Dec	Friday	Birth of Jesus

🕍 Sikh Festivals 2026

Festival	Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Guru Nanak Jayanti	27 Nov	Friday	Birth of Guru Nanak
Baisakhi	14 April	Tuesday	Sikh New Year
Holla Mohalla	10 March	Tuesday	Warrior festival

☸ Buddhist & Jain Festivals 2026

Festival	Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Buddha Purnima	6 May	Wednesday	Birth of Buddha
Mahavir Jayanti	20 April	Monday	Birth of Mahavir

7. 🏖 Long Weekend Calendar 2026 (Best Travel Plans)

A long weekend is when a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, giving 3-4 days off.

📅 Best Long Weekends in 2026

Holiday	Date (2026)	Day	Long Weekend	Vacation Days Needed	Total Leave
Republic Day	26 Jan	Monday	Sat-Sun-Mon	0	3 Days
Holi	10 Mar	Tuesday	Take leave on Mon (9 Mar)	1	4 Days
Good Friday	3 Apr	Friday	Fri-Sat-Sun	0	3 Days
Ram Navami	17 Apr	Friday	Fri-Sat-Sun	0	3 Days
Buddha Purnima	6 May	Wednesday	Take leave on Thu (7 May)	1	5 Days (Wed-Sun)
Independence Day	15 Aug	Saturday	Take leave on Fri (14 Aug)	1	3 Days
Janmashtami	25 Aug	Tuesday	Take leave on Mon (24 Aug)	1	4 Days
Gandhi Jayanti	2 Oct	Friday	Fri-Sat-Sun	0	3 Days
Dussehra	20 Oct	Tuesday	Take leave on Mon (19 Oct)	1	4 Days
Diwali	8 Nov	Sunday	Take leave on Mon (9 Nov)	1	4 Days
Guru Nanak Jayanti	27 Nov	Friday	Fri-Sat-Sun	0	3 Days
Christmas	25 Dec	Friday	Fri-Sat-Sun	0	3 Days

🌴 Best Travel Destinations for Each Long Weekend

Long Weekend	Best Destinations	Why?
Republic Day (Jan)	Goa, Andaman, Kerala	Warm weather, beach parties
Holi (March)	Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur	Best Holi celebrations
Good Friday (April)	Himachal, Uttarakhand	Pleasant weather, trekking
Independence Day (Aug)	Ladakh, Spiti Valley	Cool climate, adventure
Diwali (Nov)	Varanasi, Ayodhya, Udaipur	Grand Diwali celebrations
Christmas (Dec)	Goa, Shimla, Manali	Christmas & New Year parties

💰 Budget Travel Tips for 2026

✔ Book flights 2-3 months in advance (cheapest fares).
✔ Avoid peak season (e.g., Goa in Dec is expensive).
✔ Use IRCTC for train bookings (Tatkal opens at 10 AM).
✔ Stay in homestays (cheaper than hotels).
✔ Travel on weekdays (less crowded).

8. 🏛 Government & Public Sector Holidays 2026

Central Government Holidays 2026

Follows Gazetted Holidays + 2 Restricted Holidays.
Total: ~18-20 holidays (varies by department).

State Government Holidays 2026

Each state adds 5-10 extra holidays (e.g., Pongal in TN, Bihu in Assam).

Public Sector Banks & PSUs

Follow RBI holiday list + state-specific holidays.
Example: SBI in Kerala will be closed for Onam but not in Delhi.

9. 🎓 School & College Holidays 2026 (Academic Calendar)

📅 Summer Vacations 2026

Most states: Mid-May to June-end (6 weeks).
South India: April-May (due to extreme heat).

❄ Winter Breaks 2026

North India: Dec 20 - Jan 5 (2 weeks).
South India: No major winter break (only Christmas).

📚 Exam Holidays 2026

CBSE Board Exams: Feb-March 2026.
State Board Exams: March-April 2026.

10. 💼 Corporate & Office Holiday Policies in 2026

How Companies Decide Holidays

Mandatory: Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti.
Optional: Diwali, Christmas, Eid (employees can choose).

Optional vs. Mandatory Holidays

Type	Example	Policy
Mandatory	Republic Day	All employees get off
Optional (Restricted)	Eid, Christmas	Choose 2-3 from a list

Work-from-Home Policies During Festivals

Many companies allow WFH during Diwali, Christmas, Eid.
IT companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) often give flexible holidays.

11. 🚆 Travel & Tourism Tips for 2026 Holidays

✈ Best Time to Book Flights & Hotels

Holiday	Book Flight By	Book Hotel By
Diwali (Nov)	August 2026	September 2026
Christmas (Dec)	October 2026	November 2026
Summer Vacation (May-June)	February 2026	March 2026

🚫 Avoiding Crowds During Peak Seasons

Diwali: Avoid Varanasi, Jaipur (too crowded).
Christmas: Avoid Goa, Shimla (overpriced).
Summer: Avoid Rajasthan, Gujarat (extreme heat).

🏝 Offbeat Destinations for Each Holiday

Holiday	Crowded Place	Offbeat Alternative
Diwali	Varanasi	Hampi (Karnataka)
Christmas	Goa	Gokarna (Karnataka)
Summer	Shimla	Tirthan Valley (HP)
Holi	Mathura	Barsana (UP)

12. 📅 Restricted Holidays 2026 (Optional Holidays)

Employees can choose 2-3 holidays from a list of restricted holidays.

List of Restricted Holidays 2026 (Central Government)

Holiday	Date (2026)	Day
Pongal	14 Jan	Wednesday
Lohri	13 Jan	Tuesday
Eid-ul-Fitr	~29 Apr	Wednesday
Eid-ul-Adha	~TBD	-
Onam	15 Sept	Tuesday
Ratha Yatra	TBD	-
Guru Ravidas Jayanti	5 Feb	Thursday
Christmas Eve	24 Dec	Thursday

(Full list varies by state.)

13. 🔮 Astrological & Auspicious Days in 2026

📿 Hindu Panchang 2026 (Important Tithis & Muhurats)

Event	Date (2026)	Day	Significance
Makar Sankranti	14 Jan	Wednesday	Sun enters Capricorn
Vasant Panchami	30 Jan	Friday	Saraswati Puja
Maha Shivaratri	26 Feb	Thursday	Night of Shiva
Holi	10 Mar	Tuesday	Full moon (Purnima)
Ram Navami	17 Apr	Friday	Rama’s birth
Akshaya Tritiya	21 Apr	Tuesday	Auspicious for buying gold
Guru Purnima	12 July	Sunday	Worship of gurus
Raksha Bandhan	24 Aug	Monday	Brother-sister bond
Janmashtami	25 Aug	Tuesday	Krishna’s birth
Ganesh Chaturthi	22 Aug	Saturday	Ganesha’s birth
Navratri	20 Oct - 28 Oct	-	9-day fasting
Diwali (Amavasya)	8 Nov	Sunday	New moon, Lakshmi Puja
Chhath Puja	6 Nov	Friday	Sun worship

💍 Marriage Seasons (Vivah Muhurat 2026)

Best Months: April-May, Nov-Dec (avoid monsoon).
Avoid: June-Sept (rainy season), Dec-Jan (cold in North).

🌑 Grahan (Eclipse) Dates 2026

Eclipse	Date (2026)	Day	Visible in India?
Solar Eclipse	17 Feb	Tuesday	No
Lunar Eclipse	3 Mar	Tuesday	Yes (Partial)
Solar Eclipse	12 Aug	Tuesday	No
Lunar Eclipse	27 Aug	Thursday	Yes (Partial)

(Note: Eclipses are considered inauspicious in Hinduism—avoid major events.)

14. ❓ FAQs on Indian Holidays 2026

❓ How Many Public Holidays Are There in 2026?

✅ National Holidays: 3 (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti).
✅ Bank Holidays: ~15-20 (varies by state).
✅ State Holidays: 5-10 extra (e.g., Pongal, Bihu).

❓ Are Banks Open on Second Saturdays in 2026?

❌ No, banks are closed on 2nd & 4th Saturdays.

❓ Can I Get a Holiday for My Religion’s Festival?

✅ Yes, most companies allow 2-3 restricted holidays (e.g., Eid, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti).

❓ How to Plan a 10-Day Vacation Using Holidays?

Example:

Take leave from 19 Oct - 23 Oct 2026 (5 days).
Dussehra (20 Oct, Tue) + Weekend (24-25 Oct) = 10-day trip!

❓ Is 2026 a Leap Year?

✅ No, 2026 is not a leap year (365 days).

❓ Which Month Has the Most Holidays in 2026?

📅 October 2026 has:

Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct, Fri)
Dussehra (20 Oct, Tue)
Diwali (8 Nov, Sun – but close to Oct)

15. 📌 Conclusion & Final Holiday Planning Tips

🔑 Key Takeaways for 2026 Holidays

✅ Republic Day (26 Jan) & Independence Day (15 Aug) are mandatory holidays.
✅ Banks are closed on 2nd & 4th Saturdays + all Sundays.
✅ Stock markets (NSE/BSE) have ~15 holidays (check before trading).
✅ Long weekends in 2026: Holi (Mar), Good Friday (Apr), Diwali (Nov), Christmas (Dec).
✅ Best time to travel: Jan-Feb (cool), Oct-Dec (festive season).

🎯 Final Tips for Planning

Mark holidays on your calendar (Google/Outlook).
Book trains/flights early (IRCTC opens 120 days prior).
Use restricted holidays wisely (pick festivals you celebrate).
Avoid last-minute travel (prices spike during Diwali, Christmas).
Check state-specific holidays if traveling within India.

🚀 Start Planning Now!

For travelers: Book Diwali & Christmas trips by Sept 2026.
For businesses: Schedule payments before bank holidays.
For students: Plan study leaves around exam holidays.

📢 Call to Action

👉 Download the PDF version for a printable holiday calendar.
👉 Share this guide with friends & family for better vacation planning.
👉 Bookmark this page for quick reference throughout 2026!

🎉 Happy Holidays 2026! May this year bring joy, prosperity, and unforgettable memories. 🇮🇳✨

🔗 Additional Resources

Official Government Holiday List: govt. of India
RBI Bank Holidays: RBI Website
NSE/BSE Holidays: NSE India
IRCTC Train Bookings: IRCTC