Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday announced the official holiday calendar for 2026, listing a total of 29 public holidays and 9 optional holidays. The calendar includes major festivals, national observances, and regional celebrations.
The government has categorised holidays into General Holidays, Optional Holidays, and Festivals falling on weekends, ensuring that employees are aware of days off well in advance.
General Holidays:
Makar Sankranti – January 14 (Wednesday)
Subash Chandra Bose Jayanti / Vir Surendrasai Jayanti / Basanta Panchami – January 23 (Friday)
Republic Day – January 26 (Monday)
Dola Purnima – March 3 (Tuesday)
Holi – March 4 (Wednesday)
Id-ul-Fitre – March 21 (Saturday, 3rd Saturday)
Shree Rama Navami – March 27 (Friday)
Utkal Divas – April 1 (Wednesday)
Good Friday – April 3 (Friday)
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti / Maha Visuva Sankranti – April 14 (Tuesday)
Buddha Purnima / Pandit Raghunath Murmu’s Birthday – May 1 (Friday)
Sabitri Amabasya – May 16 (Saturday, 3rd Saturday)
Id-ul-Zuha – May 27 (Wednesday)
Raja Sankranti – June 15 (Monday)
Muharram – June 26 (Friday)
Rath Yatra – July 16 (Thursday)
Independence Day – August 15 (Saturday, 3rd Saturday)
Birthday of Prophet Muhammad – August 26 (Wednesday)
Jhulana Purnima – August 27 (Thursday)
Janmastami – September 4 (Friday)
Ganesh Puja – September 14 (Monday)
Nuakhai – September 15 (Tuesday)
Day following Nuakhai – September 16 (Wednesday)
Gandhi Jayanti – October 2 (Friday)
Mahasaptami – October 17 (Saturday, 3rd Saturday)
Mahanavami – October 19 (Monday)
Vijaya Dasami – October 20 (Tuesday)
Rahas Purnima – November 24 (Tuesday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Friday)
Optional Holidays
Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday – January 6 (Tuesday)
Sab-e-Quadar – March 17 (Tuesday)
Easter Saturday – April 4 (Saturday, 1st Saturday)
Birthday of Raja Ram Mohan Roy – May 22 (Friday)
Bahuda Yatra – July 24 (Friday)
Foundation Day of Brahmo Samaj – August 20 (Thursday)
Anla Navami – November 18 (Wednesday)
Prathamastami – December 1 (Tuesday)
Christmas Eve – December 24 (Thursday)
Festivals Falling on Weekends (No Separate Holiday)
Maha Shivratri – February 15 (Sunday)
Pahili Raja – June 14 (Sunday)
Mahalaya – October 10 (Saturday, 2nd Saturday)
Mahastami – October 18 (Sunday)
Kumar Purnima – October 25 (Sunday)
Diwali – November 8 (Sunday)
The calendar aims to help government employees plan their year ahead, accommodating both national and regional celebrations.
