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Gujarat Holiday Calendar 2026: Statutory, Public & Commercial Holidays

In Gujarat, statutory holiday entitlement and commercial workplace operations are regulated under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019, the Gujarat Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, and annual gazette notifications issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Gujarat under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Industrial manufacturing corridors, diamond trading centers in Surat, chemical belts, and financial hubs like GIFT City must align their annual leave rosters with the state's statutory framework.

Gujarat Statutory Requirement

Under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, 2019, employers must provide a minimum of 8 paid holidays per year, including the 3 National Holidays and Gujarat State Foundation Day (1 May).

📅 Official Gujarat Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
14-01-2026WednesdayMakar Sankranti / UttarayanState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
15-01-2026ThursdayVasi UttarayanState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
18-02-2026WednesdayMaha ShivratriGazette / NI ActOptional
03-03-2026TuesdayHoli 2nd Day - DhuletiGazette / NI ActYes (High State Priority)
19-03-2026ThursdayCheti ChandGazette / RegionalOptional / Floating
21-03-2026SaturdayRamzan Eid (Id-ul-Fitr)Gazette / NI ActYes
27-03-2026FridayShree Ram NavamiGazette / NI ActOptional
31-03-2026TuesdayMahavir JayantiGazette / NI ActOptional
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Standard Corporate Off)
14-04-2026TuesdayDr. B.R. Ambedkar JayantiState & National GazetteYes
01-05-2026FridayGujarat State Foundation Day / May DayState Mandatory HolidayYes (Mandatory State Paid Off)
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Adha)Gazette / NI ActYes
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharramGazette / NI ActOptional / Floating
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
28-08-2026FridayEid-e-MiladGazette / NI ActOptional
04-09-2026FridayJanmashtami (Krishna Janmotsav)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Mandate)
14-09-2026MondaySamvatsari (Paryusan Parva)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Regional Priority)
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDusshera (Vijaya Dashmi)Gazette / NI ActYes
08-11-2026SundayDiwaliGazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
10-11-2026TuesdayVikram Samvat New Year Day (Bestu Varas)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Mandate)
11-11-2026WednesdayBhai BijState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
24-11-2026TuesdayGuru Nanak JayantiGazette / NI ActOptional
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Standard Corporate Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Gujarat​

  1. Annual Notice of Holidays: Display the approved holiday schedule on notice boards before 1st January.
  2. Statutory Non-Negotiables: Observe the 3 National Holidays (26 Jan, 15 Aug, 2 Oct) and Gujarat Gaurav Day (1 May).
  3. Working on Holidays: Provide double wages or normal pay plus a paid compensatory off within 30 days to any employee working on a declared festival holiday.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. Is Uttarayan a mandatory paid holiday in Gujarat?​

Yes. Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) is celebrated with immense cultural significance across Gujarat and is a standard gazetted holiday observed by schools, universities, banks, and private commercial enterprises.

2. Is 1st May a mandatory holiday in Gujarat?​

Yes. May 1st marks Gujarat Gaurav Divas (Gujarat State Foundation Day) and International Workers' Day, representing an essential paid holiday for private and public sector establishments.