India (IN)
India is the world's most populous nation and a fast-rising global power — a vibrant federal republic of extraordinary cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity.
Capital: New Delhi
Region: Asia
Language: Hindi
Currency: INR (₹)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 24)
Emergency: 112
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Public Holidays 2026
19 holidays in India. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Mon 26
Republic Day Public Holiday
Gantantra Diwas
Celebrates adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950. Grand military parade on Rajpath (Kartavya Path), New Delhi. National holiday across all states and union territories.
March 2026
Fri 13
Holi — Eve (Holika Dahan) Public Holiday
Holika Dahan
Evening bonfire ritual on the eve of Holi. Celebrated with bonfires across north and central India. Not a public holiday in all states but widely observed.
Sat 14
Holi — Festival of Colours Public Holiday
Holi / Dhulendi
The spring festival of colours. People drench each other in coloured powder and water. Major celebration in north India (Mathura, Vrindavan, Delhi, Rajasthan). South India celebrates more quietly. Markets and offices closed. Avoid white clothing unless you want to participate.
Sat 21
Eid ul-Fitr Public Holiday
Id-ul-Fitr
Marks the end of Ramadan. Date subject to moon sighting — approximately 20–21 March 2026. Gazetted holiday. Major celebration in Muslim-majority areas (Hyderabad Old City, Lucknow, Old Delhi, Kashmir). Feasts, new clothes, and charity (Zakat ul-Fitr).
April 2026
Fri 3
Good Friday Public Holiday
Good Friday
Gazetted public holiday across India. Particularly observed in Goa, Kerala, and the Northeast states which have significant Christian populations. Churches hold special services.
Mon 6
Ram Navami Public Holiday
Ram Navami
Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama (9th day of Chaitra month). Major festival in north India — Ayodhya and Varanasi see massive celebrations. Processions, recitations of Ramayana, and fasting by devotees.
Fri 10
Mahavir Jayanti Public Holiday
Mahavir Jayanti
Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Particularly important in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jain communities nationwide. Processions and prayers at Jain temples.
Tue 14
Ambedkar Jayanti Public Holiday
Ambedkar Jayanti
Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution and champion of Dalit rights. National holiday. Major events at Chaityabhoomi (Mumbai) and across Maharashtra.
May 2026
Mon 4
Buddha Purnima Public Holiday
Buddha Purnima / Vesak
Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. Major events at Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh), and Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.
Wed 27
Eid ul-Adha Public Holiday
Bakrid / Eid ul-Adha
Festival of Sacrifice marking Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Date subject to moon sighting — approximately 27–28 May 2026. Gazetted holiday. Livestock sacrifice, feasts, and charity. Major celebrations in all Muslim communities.
August 2026
Sat 15
Independence Day Public Holiday
Swatantrata Diwas
India's independence from British rule on 15 August 1947. National holiday. Prime Minister addresses the nation from Red Fort, Delhi. Flag hoisting ceremonies across all government buildings, schools, and offices. Falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Wed 26
Janmashtami Public Holiday
Janmashtami / Gokulashtami
Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Midnight celebrations at temples. Dahi Handi (human pyramid to break clay pot of yogurt) popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Major events in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Dwarka.
Wed 19
Ganesh Chaturthi Public Holiday
Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi
Birth of Lord Ganesha. Maharastra's biggest festival — Mumbai and Pune celebrate with massive processions and idol immersions over 10 days. Also major in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Goa.
October 2026
Fri 2
Gandhi Jayanti Public Holiday
Gandhi Jayanti
Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869). National holiday and International Day of Non-Violence. Falls on a Friday in 2026. Alcohol banned in many states. Prayer meetings at Raj Ghat (Gandhi's memorial), New Delhi.
Mon 19
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) Public Holiday
Dussehra / Vijaya Dashami
Celebrates victory of good over evil — Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana. Enormous effigy burnings of Ravana (up to 100 feet tall) in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan and across north India. Mysuru Dasara is spectacular in Karnataka (10-day celebration with grand procession).
Tue 20
Diwali — Dhanteras Public Holiday
Dhanteras
First day of the Diwali festival. Auspicious day to buy gold, silver, or new appliances. Markets extremely busy. Lakshmi Puja in the evening.
Wed 21
Diwali — Festival of Lights Public Holiday
Deepavali / Diwali
India's biggest festival — the festival of lights. Lakshmi Puja (goddess of wealth) on the main night. Fireworks (significant pollution issue, especially in Delhi). Gifts, sweets, new clothes. Multi-day celebration. Not widely observed in Tamil Nadu (celebrated separately as Karthigai Deepam in November).
November 2026
Wed 4
Guru Nanak Jayanti Public Holiday
Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism. Massive celebrations at the Golden Temple, Amritsar. Processions (Nagar Kirtan) across Punjab, Delhi, and wherever Sikh communities are present. Langars (free community kitchens) serve all.
December 2026
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Christmas / Bada Din
Gazetted public holiday across India. Major celebrations in Goa (Catholic majority), Kerala, Mumbai, Delhi, and Northeast states. Known as "Bada Din" (Big Day) in Hindi. Falls on a Friday in 2026. Shopping malls and markets extensively decorated.
Note: Some holidays in India apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.