January Holidays 2026 starts off the year with a vibrant blend of national celebrations, regional festivals, and important government holidays across India. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway, observing traditional rituals, or syncing your calendar with bank holidays and public closures, this month is packed with significant dates. From New Year’s Day and Makar Sankranti to Republic Day and Vasant Panchami, January offers a mix of spiritual, seasonal, and civic observances that reflect India’s cultural diversity.
If you’re wondering, What holiday is in January? or looking for a complete January 2026 calendar with holidays, this blog has you covered. We’ve compiled an easy-to-navigate list of January government holidays, bank holidays, restricted holidays, and regional public holidays observed across different Indian states — including those specific to cultural calendars like Pongal, Magh Bihu, and Lohri.
List of January Government Holidays 2026
Here’s a list of official government holidays in January 2026 observed across India. These dates are recognized either at the national level (gazetted holidays) or by individual state governments, depending on cultural and regional significance.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day (varies by state) |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti/Pongal (Multiple states) |
| January 15 | Thursday | Magh Bihu/Thiruvalluvar Day (State-specific) |
| January 23 | Friday | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (WB, OR, TR) |
| January 23 | Friday | Vasant Panchami (HR, OR, PB, TR, WB) |
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day (National Holiday) |
| January 30 | Friday | Martyrs’ Day (Observed in select states) |
Note: WB is West Bengal, OR is Odisha, TR is Tripura, HR is Haryana, PB is Punjab.
Bank Holidays in January 2026
Here’s a detailed list of bank holidays in January 2026, including national-level closures and state-specific observances. These holidays are based on the Reserve Bank of India’s calendar and may vary across states.
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | AR, ML, MN, MZ, NL, PY, RJ, SK, TG, TN |
| January 1 | Thursday | Gaan-Ngai | Manipur (MN) |
| January 2 | Friday | New Year Holiday | Mizoram (MZ) |
| January 2 | Friday | Mannam Jayanti | Kerala (KL) |
| January 3 | Saturday | Hazrat Ali Jayanti | Uttar Pradesh (UP) |
| January 11 | Sunday | Missionary Day | Mizoram (MZ) |
| January 12 | Monday | Swami Vivekananda Jayanti | West Bengal (WB) |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti | AR, GJ, KA, OR, SK, TG |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Pongal | AP, PY, TG, TN |
| January 15 | Thursday | Magh Bihu | Assam (AS) |
| January 15 | Thursday | Thiruvalluvar Day | Puducherry (PY), Tamil Nadu (TN) |
| January 16 | Friday | Kanuma Panduga | Andhra Pradesh (AP) |
| January 16 | Friday | Uzhavar Thirunal | Tamil Nadu (TN) |
| January 19 | Monday | Sonam Losar | Sikkim (SK) |
| January 23 | Friday | Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | OR, TR, WB |
| January 23 | Friday | Vasant Panchami | HR, OR, PB, TR, WB |
| January 25 | Sunday | State Day | Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka |
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day (National) | All States—Bank Holiday across India |
Note: AR is Arunachal Pradesh, ML is Meghalaya, MN is Manipur, MZ is Mizoram, NL is Nagaland, PY is Puducherry, RJ is Rajasthan, SK is Sikkim, TG is Telangana, TN is Tamil Nadu, GJ is Gujarat, KA is Karnataka, OR is Odisha, AP is Andhra Pradesh, TR is Tripura, WB is West Bengal, HR is Haryana, and PB is Punjab.
Bank holidays can affect everything from NEFT/RTGS transactions to in-branch services. If you’re planning bank-related activities this January, be sure to mark these dates based on your location.
Also Read: February Holidays
List of Gazetted Holidays in January 2026
Gazetted holidays are mandatory nationwide holidays as per the central government’s official holiday calendar. All central and most state government offices, schools, and banks remain closed on these days.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day |
For the month of January 2026, Republic Day is the only official gazetted holiday observed across India. It marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution and is celebrated with parades, flag-hoisting, and patriotic ceremonies throughout the country.
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List of Restricted Holidays in January 2026
Restricted holidays (also known as optional holidays) are not mandatory government holidays. Employees may choose to take these based on personal, cultural, or religious preferences.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| January 3 | Saturday | Hazrat Ali’s Birthday |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Pongal |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti |
| January 23 | Friday | Vasant Panchami |
| January 30 | Friday | Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas) |
These holidays are commonly listed in the central government’s restricted holiday list, but observance may vary by institution, region, or personal faith. Employees typically select two or three restricted holidays of their choice during the year from the official list.
Also Read: March Holidays
Regional Holidays in January 2026
Regional holidays are celebrated within specific states or communities and reflect local traditions, seasonal festivals, or prominent historical events. These holidays are not nationwide but are officially recognized in the respective states.
| Date | Day | Holiday | State(s) |
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | AR, ML, MN, MZ, NL, PY, RJ, SK, TG, TN |
| January 1 | Thursday | Gaan-Ngai | Manipur (MN) |
| January 2 | Friday | Mannam Jayanti | Kerala (KL) |
| January 3 | Saturday | Hazrat Ali Jayanti | Uttar Pradesh (UP) |
| January 11 | Sunday | Missionary Day | Mizoram (MZ) |
| January 12 | Monday | Swami Vivekananda Jayanti | West Bengal (WB) |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Makara Sankranti | AR, GJ, KA, OR, SK, TG |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Pongal | AP, PY, TG, TN |
| January 15 | Thursday | Magh Bihu | Assam (AS) |
| January 15 | Thursday | Thiruvalluvar Day | PY, TN |
| January 16 | Friday | Kanuma Panduga | Andhra Pradesh (AP) |
| January 16 | Friday | Uzhavar Thirunal | Tamil Nadu (TN) |
| January 19 | Monday | Sonam Losar | Sikkim (SK) |
| January 23 | Friday | Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | OR, TR, WB |
| January 23 | Friday | Vasant Panchami | HR, OR, PB, TR, WB |
| January 25 | Sunday | State Day | Himachal Pradesh (HP) |
Note: AR stands for Arunachal Pradesh, ML for Meghalaya, MN for Manipur, MZ for Mizoram, NL for Nagaland, PY for Puducherry, RJ for Rajasthan, SK for Sikkim, TG for Telangana, TN for Tamil Nadu, GJ for Gujarat, KA for Karnataka, OR for Odisha, AP for Andhra Pradesh, TR for Tripura, WB for West Bengal, HR for Haryana, and PB for Punjab.
Highlights of January Holidays
Here’s a round-up of the most important and widely observed January holidays in India, along with their cultural or historical relevance:
⇒ New Year’s Day (January 1): Celebrated across many Indian states as a fresh beginning to the Gregorian calendar year, often marked with family gatherings, resolutions, and public festivities.
⇒ Hazrat Ali’s Birthday (January 3): A significant date in the Islamic calendar, observed with prayer and reflection, especially in Uttar Pradesh and other Muslim-majority areas.
⇒ Makar Sankranti & Pongal (January 14): Celebrated in different forms across India, Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn, while Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu.
⇒ Magh Bihu (January 15): Assam’s traditional harvest festival, filled with folk music, feasts, and bonfires.
⇒ Thiruvalluvar Day (January 15): A Tamil Nadu observance honouring the classical poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, whose writings form a cornerstone of Tamil literature.
⇒ Uzhavar Thirunal (January 16): Also in Tamil Nadu, this day celebrates farmers and agricultural traditions.
⇒ Swami Vivekananda Jayanti / National Youth Day (January 12): Observed across India, especially in West Bengal, to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders.
⇒ Lohri (January 13): A joyous Punjabi festival celebrating the winter harvest, featuring bonfires, folk dance, and sweets.
⇒ Republic Day (January 26): A national holiday across India that commemorates the day the Constitution came into effect in 1950, celebrated with parades, flag-hoisting, and patriotic displays.
⇒ Vasant Panchami (January 23): Celebrated primarily in North and East India, this festival marks the arrival of spring and honours Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and learning.
⇒ Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (January 23): Observed in states like West Bengal and Odisha to honour the birth anniversary of Netaji, a key figure in India’s independence movement.
⇒ Martyrs’ Day (January 30): Observed in memory of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, often marked by silent tributes and peace prayers.
Planning tip: With a mix of bank holidays, state-level observances, and religious festivals, January is ideal for both reflection and rejuvenation. Whether you’re thinking about short travel breaks, attending local festivals, or simply realigning your financial goals for the year, being aware of these holidays can help you plan better.
Conclusion
January 2026 sets the tone for the year with a meaningful mix of national events, seasonal festivals, and regional holidays that reflect the depth and diversity of India’s cultural landscape. Whether it’s the patriotic pride of Republic Day, the spiritual celebrations of Makar Sankranti and Pongal, or the reflective tributes on Martyrs’ Day, the month offers something for everyone — from religious observances to civic commemorations.
With several bank holidays and state-specific breaks, it’s a good time to plan your schedule, personal travels, or even align your financial planning. If you’re managing year-beginning expenses or preparing for festive purchases, being aware of these January holidays helps in making informed decisions — whether it’s avoiding branch closures or syncing your to-dos around long weekends.
As you step into 2026, may this holiday calendar guide you in making the most of your time, traditions, and thoughtful moments.
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