India has only three full national holidays: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). The rest are gazetted or restricted holidays that each state adopts according to its religious and cultural makeup, so calendars differ widely between states.
In 2026, India has 17 official public holidays. The month with the most holidays is March, with 4. 2 months have no public holiday at all.
There are 7 potential long weekends this year, from holidays landing on a Monday or Friday. Meanwhile, 3 holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
The longest stretch without a public holiday runs from Muharram (June 26) to Independence Day (August 15): 50 days.
The first holiday of the year is Republic Day (January 26) and the last is Christmas Day (December 25).
Long weekends in 2026
Holidays landing on a Monday or Friday
Republic Day
January 26 · Monday
Good Friday
April 3 · Friday
Buddha Purnima
May 1 · Friday
Muharram
June 26 · Friday
Janmashtami
September 4 · Friday
Gandhi Jayanti
October 2 · Friday
Christmas Day
December 25 · Friday
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does India have in 2026?+
India has 17 official public holidays in 2026, with March being the busiest month (4).
What is the first public holiday of 2026 in India?+
The first public holiday of 2026 is Republic Day, on January 26.
How many long weekends are there in India in 2026?+
7 holidays land on a Monday or Friday, which can create long weekends.
Which 2026 holidays fall on a weekend in India?+
3 holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday: Eid al-Fitr (March 21), Independence Day (August 15), Diwali (November 8).
Which holidays apply across all of India?+
Only three: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). All other holidays vary by state.