The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has unveiled its official calendar for the year 2026, bringing cheer to its employees. The schedule reveals that state government staff are set to enjoy a remarkable number of days off, effectively meaning they will be at work for less than 60% of the year.
A Bumper Year of Breaks for Bengal Staff
According to the notification issued by the state's Finance Department, employees working under the West Bengal administration will be entitled to a total of 157 days off in 2026. This staggering figure is a combination of various types of leave. The breakdown includes 27 holidays mandated under the Negotiable Instruments Act, to which the state government has added another 26 declared holidays. When the 52 Saturdays and Sundays are factored in, the cumulative count reaches 157 days. This translates to government employees being on leave for approximately 43% of the entire calendar year.
Festive Bonanza: Durga Puja and Beyond
The holiday calendar is packed with festive celebrations, with the longest continuous break scheduled for October. State government employees will enjoy an extended 12-day holiday period for Durga Puja. The break begins on October 15, which is Chaturthi, and runs through Sashthi on October 17. With October 18 being a Sunday, it provides a seamless link to the holidays for Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami on October 19, 20, and 21 respectively. This extended period is set to be the highlight of the year's holiday schedule.
November is another month rich with holidays, offering employees more than 10 days off. Key celebrations during this period include Kali Puja and the Chhath festival. In a move acknowledging the state's diverse communities, the government has also declared June 30 as a holiday for Hul Dibas, specifically for employees belonging to the Santhal community.
Central Government Holiday List for 2026
Separately, the central government has also released its holiday list for 2026. For central government employees, there are 14 compulsory holidays that must be observed across all offices. These include Republic Day, Independence Day, Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday, Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Zuha, Muharram, and Good Friday, among others.
In addition to the compulsory list, the centre has provided a roster of 12 restricted holidays. Employees can choose any three holidays from this list, which includes festivals like Holi, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Maha Shivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Makar Sankranti, Onam, Pongal, and Vishu among others. This system allows for flexibility and acknowledges India's wide array of regional and religious celebrations.
The announcement solidifies West Bengal's reputation for having one of the most generous holiday calendars for its public servants, a policy often highlighted by the ruling administration. The detailed schedule allows employees to plan their vacations and family time well in advance, particularly around the major festival seasons.
