Central Government Holiday List 2026: Official DoPT Gazetted & RH Calendar
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has released the complete Central Government Holiday List for the calendar year 2026. All administrative offices will observe 17 Gazetted Holidays, while employees are entitled to choose two Restricted Holidays (RH) from the officially sanctioned list.
Order Issued — Effective 01.01.2026
Authority: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (JCA Section)
Reference: F.No.12/2/2023-JCA
In most PAO offices, administrative sections require employees to declare their two Restricted Holiday choices by January. Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) routinely reject casual leave applications combined with an RH later in the year if the restricted holiday was not pre-approved and marked in the master attendance register.
How are Gazetted Holidays distributed outside Delhi?
Offices located outside New Delhi observe 14 compulsory closed holidays. The Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee (CGEWCC) in respective state capitals finalizes the remaining three optional holidays from a specified DoPT list to complete the mandatory 17-day quota.
| Office Location Category | Number of Holidays | Applicable Rule Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi / New Delhi Offices | 17 Gazetted | Fixed completely by DoPT Annexure-I |
| Offices Outside Delhi | 14 Fixed + 3 Optional | 3 Optional decided by local CGEWCC |
| Industrial & Commercial Units | Max 16 Holidays | Determined by operational requirements |
| Restricted Holidays (RH) | 2 Per Employee | Chosen by employee from DoPT RH List |
Operational Departments and Statutory Exclusions
The standard 17-day holiday framework does not apply universally across all ministries. Operational establishments follow a modified statutory calendar to ensure uninterrupted public services and commercial functionality.
Follows Standard 17-Day Calendar:
Central Secretariat & Bhavans
Attached and Subordinate Offices
Non-operational administrative staff
Strictly Excluded (Follows Custom List):
Indian Railways & Telegraphs
Department of Posts
Defence Establishments
Industrial & Commercial undertakings
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What are the rules for commercial and industrial establishments?
Organizations classified as industrial or commercial under the Central Government observe a maximum of 16 holidays annually. They must strictly observe Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (October 2) as closed days, with the remaining 13 determined by local operational feasibility.
How To Apply For Restricted Holidays (RH) In 2026
- Access the official DoPT Annexure-II to verify the recognized regional festivals and events.
- Select exactly two RH dates applicable to your community or personal preference.
- Submit a formal application through the HRMS or e-Office portal well in advance of the desired dates.
- Confirm the leave is formally recorded in the departmental attendance register to prevent unauthorized absence markers.
What happens if CGEWCC fails to finalize the optional holidays?
If the local coordination committee cannot reach a unanimous decision regarding the 3 optional holidays for state capital offices, the matter is escalated to the Head of the Department or the senior-most Central Government officer stationed in the city for a final, binding administrative order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Restricted Holidays can a Central Govt employee take in 2026?
Every Central Government employee is entitled to avail exactly two Restricted Holidays (RH) of their choice from the official DoPT Annexure-II list during the calendar year 2026.
Which three national holidays are compulsory for all establishments?
Republic Day, Independence Day, and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday are mandatory closed holidays for all Central Government administrative, commercial, and industrial establishments.
Do post offices and railways follow the DoPT holiday calendar?
No. Operational departments like Indian Railways, Department of Posts, and Defence establishments formulate their own localized holiday lists based on operational requirements, observing a maximum of 16 holidays.
Who decides the 3 optional holidays for Central Govt offices outside Delhi?
The Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee (CGEWCC) of the respective state capital decides the 3 optional holidays from the DoPT’s specified list of 12 optional holidays.
Where can I download the DoPT Holiday List 2026 PDF?
The official DoPT Holiday List 2026 PDF can be downloaded from the Department of Personnel and Training website or from the direct link provided in this article.
हिंदी सारांश
डीओपीटी (DoPT) ने वर्ष 2026 के लिए केंद्र सरकार की आधिकारिक अवकाश सूची जारी कर दी है। इसके तहत प्रशासनिक कार्यालयों में 17 राजपत्रित अवकाश (Gazetted Holidays) होंगे। दिल्ली के बाहर स्थित कार्यालयों के लिए 14 अनिवार्य और 3 वैकल्पिक छुट्टियां निर्धारित की गई हैं। सभी कर्मचारियों को साल में दो प्रतिबंधित अवकाश (Restricted Holidays – RH) लेने का अधिकार है। रेलवे, डाक और रक्षा जैसे वाणिज्यिक प्रतिष्ठान 16 दिन की अपनी अलग अवकाश सूची का पालन करेंगे, जिसमें 3 राष्ट्रीय पर्व अनिवार्य रूप से शामिल होंगे।
