When do the fixed-date national holidays fall in 2026?
India has three national holidays locked to the calendar. Their IST event times are set and do not shift.
Republic Day, Monday, 26 January 2026 - Flag hoisting: 08:00 IST - Parade: 09:00 IST (Kartavya Path, New Delhi) - All scheduled events follow IST; no daylight saving adjustment applies.
Independence Day, Saturday, 15 August 2026 - Flag hoisting: 07:30 IST (Red Fort) - Prime Minister's address follows the flag hoisting. - The earlier start is standard: it avoids peak summer heat.
Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday, Friday, 2 October 2026 - No fixed national ceremony time, but prayer meetings at Raj Ghat typically start 08:00-09:00 IST.
Fixed-date holidays and their IST timings
These holidays fall on the same calendar date every year. Event timings are consistent nationwide because India uses one time zone.
| Holiday | Date 2026 | Day | Typical observance time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January | Monday | 08:00 flag hoisting |
| Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Birthday | 14 April | Tuesday | 09:00-11:00 ceremonies |
| Independence Day | 15 August | Saturday | 07:30 flag hoisting |
| Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday | 2 October | Friday | 08:00-09:00 prayer meetings |
| Christmas | 25 December | Friday | Midnight Mass 00:00; church services 07:00-09:00 |
Moveable holidays: how IST-based calculations set Diwali, Eid and Holi
Moveable holidays follow lunar calendars. Exact observance timings depend on IST-based calculations: the panchanga for Hindu festivals and moon-sighting reports for Islamic holidays.
Diwali (Deepavali), Sunday, 8 November 2026 - Lakshmi Puja muhurta uses IST sunset and planetary positions. The ideal window varies by city. Check city-specific puja timings for precise local windows.
Holi, Wednesday, 4 March 2026 - Holika Dahan (bonfire) occurs on the evening of 3 March, timed to IST sunset. Rangwali Holi follows on 4 March, with colours played from morning (08:00-12:00 IST).
Eid al-Fitr, Saturday, 21 March 2026 - Namaz timings depend on moon sighting on the evening of 20 March. If the moon is sighted after IST sunset, Eid is confirmed for 21 March. Eid prayers are held 06:30-08:30 IST.
Ramadan Iftar timings - Iftar is based on IST sunset times, which vary by city. In New Delhi, sunset on 20 March is 18:32 IST. Always check local sunset times for accurate Iftar scheduling.
Other key moveable holidays in 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day | Timing note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | 6 March 2027 | Saturday | Night-long jaagran; main puja 00:00-04:00 IST |
| Ram Navami | 26 March 2026 | Thursday | Abhishekam at temples 08:00-12:00 IST |
| Mahavira's Birthday | 31 March 2026 | Tuesday | Processions 07:00-10:00 IST |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | Church services 07:00-09:00 and 15:00 IST |
| Buddha Purnima | 1 May 2026 | Friday | Full moon day; meditation events at sunrise (05:23 IST in New Delhi) |
| Eid al-Adha | 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Qurbani performed after Eid namaz (06:30-08:30 IST) |
| Janmashtami (Vaishnava) | 4 September 2026 | Friday | Midnight puja (00:00 IST) for Krishna's birth |
| Dussehra | 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | Ravana dahan at IST sunset |
| Guru Nanak's Birthday | 24 November 2026 | Tuesday | Akhand Path; processions start 07:00 IST |
Which states add extra public holidays in 2026?
India has 28 states and 8 union territories, each with additional holidays. Key examples for 2026:
- Maharashtra: Gudi Padwa (19 March), Maharashtra Day (1 May)
- Tamil Nadu: Pongal (14 January), Tamil New Year (14 April)
- West Bengal: Durga Puja (Puja holidays typically 18-22 October 2026)
- Karnataka: Ugadi (19 March), Karnataka Rajyotsava (1 November)
- Punjab: Baisakhi (14 April)
State governments publish final lists each year. Most state offices observe second and fourth Saturdays as holidays.
How holidays affect business hours and trading
All three national holidays are mandatory closures for banks, government offices, and most private firms. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE remain closed.
For moveable holidays: - Banks follow the Reserve Bank of India's holiday list, which includes Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, and Eid al-Fitr as state-specific closures. - Many businesses operate half-day (09:30-14:00 IST) on festivals like Holi and Dussehra.
Standard office hours are 09:30-18:00 IST, Monday to Friday. Banks typically run 10:00-16:00 for public transactions, with second and fourth Saturdays as holidays.