The Government of Karnataka has issued Notification-I and Notification-II releasing the official list of General Holidays and Restricted Holidays for the year 2026, applicable to all State Government offices and notified under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
All Second Saturdays, Fourth Saturdays and Sundays are declared holidays in addition to the dates listed below.
📅 General Holidays for 2026 (Notification-I & II)
| Sl. No | Date | Day | Public Holiday |
| 1 | 15.01.2026 | Thursday | Uttarayana Punyakala, Makara Sankranti Festival |
| 2 | 26.01.2026 | Monday | Republic Day |
| 3 | 19.03.2026 | Thursday | Ugadi Festival |
| 4 | 21.03.2026 | Saturday | Khutub-E-Ramzan |
| 5 | 31.03.2026 | Tuesday | Mahaveera Jayanthi |
| 6 | 03.04.2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 7 | 14.04.2026 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi |
| 8 | 20.04.2026 | Monday | Basava Jayanthi, Akshaya Tritiya |
| 9 | 01.05.2026 | Friday | May Day |
| 10 | 28.05.2026 | Thursday | Bakrid |
| 11 | 26.06.2026 | Friday | Last Day of Moharam |
| 12 | 15.08.2026 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| 13 | 26.08.2026 | Wednesday | Eid-Milad |
| 14 | 14.09.2026 | Monday | Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata |
| 15 | 02.10.2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanthi |
| 16 | 20.10.2026 | Tuesday | Mahanavami, Ayudhapooja |
| 17 | 21.10.2026 | Wednesday | Vijayadasami |
| 18 | 10.11.2026 | Tuesday | Balipadyami, Deepavali |
| 19 | 27.11.2026 | Friday | Kanakadasa Jayanthi |
| 20 | 25.12.2026 | Friday | Christmas |
Important Notes (General Holidays)
The following festivals falling on Sundays or Second Saturday are not included:
- Maha Shivaratri (15.02.2026)
- Maharshi Valmiki Jayanthi (25.10.2026)
- Kannada Rajyothsava (01.11.2026)
- Naraka Chaturdashi (08.11.2026)
- Mahalaya Amavasye (10.10.2026 – Second Saturday)
Government offices will remain closed statewide on General Holidays. However, Heads of Departments must ensure continuity of essential work.
If Muslim festival dates vary, employees may be granted holidays on the actual day of observance.
Kodagu District Local Holidays:
- Kail Muhuruth – 03.09.2026 (Thursday)
- Tula Sankramana – 18.10.2026 (Sunday)
- Huthri Festival – 26.11.2026 (Thursday)
A separate list of Education Department holidays will be issued separately.
State Government employees may utilize up to two Restricted Holidays in 2026.
📋 Restricted Holidays for 2026 (Annexure to Notification-I)
| Sl. No | Date | Day | Restricted Holiday |
| 1 | 01.01.2026 | Thursday | New Year |
| 2 | 27.01.2026 | Tuesday | Sri Madvanavami |
| 3 | 04.02.2026 | Wednesday | Shab-e-Barath |
| 4 | 02.03.2026 | Monday | Holi Festival |
| 5 | 17.03.2026 | Tuesday | Shab-e-Qadar |
| 6 | 20.03.2026 | Friday | Jumat-Ul-Wida |
| 7 | 23.03.2026 | Monday | Devara Daseemaiah Jayanthi |
| 8 | 27.03.2026 | Friday | Sri Ramanavami |
| 9 | 04.04.2026 | Saturday | Holy Saturday |
| 10 | 21.04.2026 | Tuesday | Sri Shankarayacharya Jayanthi |
| 11 | 22.04.2026 | Wednesday | Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanthi |
| 12 | 21.08.2026 | Friday | Varamahalakshmi Vrata |
| 13 | 27.08.2026 | Thursday | Yajur Upakarma |
| 14 | 28.08.2026 | Friday | Brahma Shri Narayana Guru Jayanthi, Raksha Bandhan |
| 15 | 04.09.2026 | Friday | Sri Krishna Janmashtami |
| 16 | 08.09.2026 | Tuesday | Kanya Mariyamma Jayanthi |
| 17 | 17.09.2026 | Thursday | Vishwakarma Jayanthi |
| 18 | 25.09.2026 | Friday | Ananta Padmanabha Vrata |
| 19 | 24.11.2026 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanthi |
| 20 | 26.11.2026 | Thursday | Huttari Festival |
| 21 | 24.12.2026 | Thursday | Christmas Eve |
Notes (Restricted Holidays)
- Tula Sankramana (18.10.2026) falls on Sunday; hence excluded.
- Souramana Ugadi (14.04.2026), Buddha Poornima (01.05.2026) and Onam/Rig-Upakarma (26.08.2026) fall on General Holidays.
- Swarna Gowri Vrata (14.09.2026) falls on a General Holiday (Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata).