Bihar Govt Approves 35 Holidays for Employees in 2026; Effective Days Reduced Due to Sundays

Patna: The Bihar cabinet has given the green light to the holiday calendar for 2026, granting state government employees a total of 35 days off. However, with six of these falling on Sundays, workers will effectively enjoy only 29 additional rest days. This decision covers all government offices and revenue magistrate courts, aiming to balance work and cultural observances in the state.

Under executive orders, 11 holidays have been declared, but two coincide with Sundays, limiting their impact. Additionally, under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, 24 holidays are set for financial and official transactions, with four on Sundays. The cabinet’s approval ensures these days apply uniformly across departments, reflecting the government’s effort to standardize leave while respecting festivals and national events.

Among the highlights, Holi gets two days off on March 3 and 4, both mid-week. Durga Puja spans four days from October 17 (Saptami, a Saturday) to October 20 (Vijayadashami), including a Sunday on October 18. Other key dates include Basant Panchami on January 23 (Friday), Mahashivratri on February 15 (Sunday), Bihar Diwas on March 22 (Sunday), Ram Navami on March 27 (Friday), and Krishna Janmashtami on September 4 (Friday).

May 1 stands out as a double holiday, marking both Buddha Purnima and May Day (Labour Day), falling on a Friday. Diwali is scheduled for November 8, with the major Chhath festival getting two days on November 15 and 16. Christmas closes the year on December 25. Separately, April 1 is designated for annual bank account closures under the NI Act.

Beyond these, the government has identified 22 restricted or optional holidays, allowing employees to choose up to three based on personal or religious preferences. These include events like Sant Ravidas Jayanti (February 1, Sunday), Shab-e-Barat (February 4, Wednesday), Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti (April 23, Thursday), Kabir Jayanti (June 29, Monday), Chehlum (August 4, Tuesday), and Chitragupt Puja/Bhai Dooj (November 10, Tuesday).

The full executive holiday list (Anusuchi-1) features festivals like Vasant Panchami, Mahashivratri, and Durga Puja Saptami. The NI Act holidays (Anusuchi-2) cover national days such as Republic Day (January 26, Monday), Independence Day (August 15, Saturday), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2, Friday), alongside religious observances like Eid-ul-Fitr (March 21, Saturday), Mahavir Jayanti (March 31, Tuesday), and Muharram (June 26, Friday).

Optional holidays (Anusuchi-3) offer flexibility for diverse communities, including Makar Sankranti (January 14, Wednesday), Guru Ravidas Jayanti (February 1, Sunday, listed optionally here too), Eid-ul-Zuha (May 29, Friday), and Anant Chaturdashi (September 25, Friday). A single bank-specific holiday (Anusuchi-4) is noted for April 1 (Wednesday) for annual account closing.

This calendar aligns with Bihar’s cultural fabric, blending Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and national commemorations. For employees, it means planning around the six Sunday overlaps to maximize time off. The government’s move comes amid ongoing discussions on productivity in public services, but officials emphasize it maintains operational continuity. Full details are available in the official gazette, helping workers and families prepare for the year ahead.

Anusuchi-1: Executive Holidays

Anusuchi-2: Holidays under NI Act, 1881

Anusuchi-3: Restricted/Optional Holidays

Anusuchi-4: Bank-Specific Holiday

These tables reflect the official holiday schedule for 2026 as approved by the Bihar government, providing clarity for employees and institutions across the state.