Gujarat Holiday Guide 2026

Gujarat is a state celebrated for its entrepreneurial spirit, rich tribal and Jain heritage, vibrant coastal culture, and world-famous festivals. From Uttarayan’s kite-filled January skies to Navratri’s nine nights of garba and the luminous Diwali cluster in November, the holiday calendar in Gujarat is both dense and diverse. Holidays are crucial for workforce planning, payroll compliance, and personal leave management. 

 The holidays are categorized under: 

• National Holidays 
• Religious Festivals 
• State-specific Observances 

In this guide, you will find the complete list of holidays in Gujarat for 2026. The list will help you stay compliant and ahead of the rest. 

What are the Official Public Holidays in Gujarat in 2026?

Public holidays in the state of Gujarat are announced by the state government and must be followed by all government offices, banks, educational institutions, and most private organizations. 

According to official notification GS/22/2025/JSR/2025/509/GH, Gujarat has declared 23 public holidays for 2026. Notably, three major festivals fall on Sundays this year: Maha Shivratri (15 February), Shri Parshuram Jayanti (19 April), and Diwali (8 November), which means government employees will not receive compensatory days off for these occasions. 

Below is the official list of Public Holidays observed in Gujarat in 2026:

 *Falls on Sunday; no compensatory holiday declared.   **Islamic holidays are subject to the appearance of the moon and actual dates may vary. Muslim employees may be granted an optional holiday on the actual day of observance if it differs from the notified date. 

 HR Action Tip:

Ensure these public holidays are reflected in your company’s leave calendar, HRMS, and payroll systems. Note the three Sunday holidays (Maha Shivratri, Parshuram Jayanti, Diwali) so employee leave requests around these dates are handled correctly. Communicate the full list in advance with employees to avoid confusion and maintain compliance.

Month-Wise Holiday Summary for Gujarat 2026

A quick-reference view of how holidays are distributed across the year, helping HR teams plan quarterly leave cycles and flag high-density months for workforce scheduling.

 Note:

November is the densest holiday month with 4 holidays, including the Diwali cluster. March follows closely with 5 holidays, making Q1 year-end planning especially critical.

What are the Bank Holidays in Gujarat in 2026?

All bank holidays include all 2nd and 4th Saturday bank closures in addition to government holidays. These bank holidays are important for payroll teams to arrange payroll deadlines, schedules, and business continuity. Bank holidays in Gujarat are declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act and apply to all scheduled banks across the state. 

Special Note: 

1 April 2026 (Wednesday) is a bank-only holiday for annual closing of accounts. All customer-related services, including fund transfers and salary credits, will be suspended on this day. Plan payroll disbursals for 31 March or 2 April accordingly. 

 Here is the list of Bank Holidays in Gujarat for 2026:

 **Islamic holidays are subject to the appearance of the moon and actual dates may vary. 

 HR Action Tip:

Align salary disbursals, fund transfers, vendor payments, and reimbursement cycles well in advance to avoid disruptions during bank closures. Pay special attention to the April 1 bank closure, which falls at the same time as fiscal year-end processing. Coordinate with your finance team to pre-process all pending payroll transactions by March 31. 

What are the Optional (Restricted) Holidays in Gujarat in 2026?

Here is the 2026 Optional Holiday List for Gujarat as per government notification GS/22/2025/JSR/2025/509/GH. Government employees may select up to two optional holidays per year from this list based on personal religious observance or preference. 

 Note:

Employees may select a limited number of restricted holidays as per company policy. Prior written approval must be sought from the officer competent to grant casual leave, with due regard to the exigencies of government work.

Payroll-Sensitive Dates to Watch Out for HR Professionals

Some holidays may significantly impact payroll processing and other financial activities, especially when they fall near month-end, fiscal deadlines, or in clusters. HR and payroll teams in Gujarat should plan ahead for the following critical dates in 2026:

 **Islamic holidays are subject to moon sighting; confirm actual dates before finalizing payroll schedules.