Holiday Guide for Maharashtra in 2026

Maharashtra, the economic powerhouse of India, is a cultural melting pot, and has a plethora of festivals or public events. For HRs, being aware of and adhering to the official holidays is essential for workforce planning, payroll compliance, and leave management. 

This guide summaries: 

• Maharashtra’s official public holidays in 2026
• Maharashtra’s official bank holidays in 2026
• Optional holidays involved in the diverse nature of workers 
• Dates that are important to payroll processing

Let’s begin.

What are the Official Public Holidays in Maharashtra in 2026?

Maharashtra has officially notified 24 public holidays for 2026, including national holidays, state festivals, and major religious observances. These are declared under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881) as per Government notification dated December 5th 2025.

Here is the list for 2026:

*Islamic holidays are subject to lunar sightings and may shift by a day.

HR Action Tip:

Ensure these public holidays are reflected in your company’s leave calendar, HRMS, and payroll systems. 

Communicate these in advance with employees to avoid confusion and maintain compliance. 

Pay special attention to the lunar-dependent Islamic holidays and monitor government announcements for any date changes.

What are the Bank Holidays in Maharashtra in 2026?

Banks in Maharashtra observe all the public holidays listed above, plus all 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month as holidays, as mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Note:

All 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month are bank holidays in Maharashtra as per RBI rules.

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

While Maharashtra’s official notification doesn’t explicitly specify any optional holidays, the Central Government’s official list includes the following:

Note:

Employees may select a limited number of restricted holidays as per company policy and local notifications.

Payroll-Sensitive Dates to Watch Out for HR Professionals

These holidays could impact payroll processing, bank operations, or compliance filing.

Critical HR Planning Tips:

• Monitor government announcements for any changes in Islamic holiday dates (Ramzan, Bakrid, Muharram, and Id-e-Milad).
• For the Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali period implement staggered leave approval systems to maintain adequate staffing.
• Create a master holiday calendar accessible to all employees with clear distinctions between public, bank, and optional holidays.
• Ensure backup resources are available for critical functions during major festival periods.
• Coordinate with finance team about the impact of Saturday holidays and lunar-dependent festivals on salary disbursal cycles.
• For private organizations, clarify whether Bhaubeej holiday will be observed or if they will work normally.