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Jammu & Kashmir Holiday Calendar 2026: Statutory, Public & Commercial Holidays

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, public, commercial, and workplace holidays are regulated under the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishments Act, 1966, the Factories Act, 1948, and annual notifications issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Jammu and Kashmir under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Enterprises in Srinagar, Jammu, Baramulla, and Anantnag must structure their annual holiday rosters to respect the distinct cultural and religious practices across both regions.

J&K Statutory Quota

Under the Jammu & Kashmir Shops and Establishments Act, employers must provide a minimum of 8 paid holidays per year, including the 3 National Holidays and regional festive closures.

📅 Official Jammu & Kashmir Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
16-02-2026MondayShab-i-MirajState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Regional Priority)
18-02-2026WednesdayMaha Shivratri (Herath)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Regional Priority)
03-03-2026TuesdayHoliGazette / NI ActYes (Jammu Regional Priority)
16-03-2026MondayShab-i-QadrState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Religious Holiday)
20-03-2026FridayJumat-ul-VidaState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Religious Holiday)
21-03-2026SaturdayId-ul-Fitr (Day 1)Gazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)
22-03-2026SundayId-ul-Fitr (Day 2)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Sunday Overlap)
27-03-2026FridayRam NavamiGazette / NI ActOptional
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)
14-04-2026TuesdayBaisakhi & Dr. B.R. Ambedkar JayantiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High State Priority)
01-05-2026FridayMay Day / Labour DayGazette / RegionalYes (Industrial Priority)
02-05-2026SaturdayBuddha PurnimaGazette / NI ActOptional
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Zuha - Day 1)Gazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)
28-05-2026ThursdayBakrid (Id-ul-Zuha - Day 2)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharram (Ashura)Gazette / NI ActYes
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
28-08-2026FridayMilad-un-NabiGazette / NI ActYes
04-09-2026FridayJanmashtamiGazette / NI ActOptional
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDussehra (Mahanavami / Vijayadashami)Gazette / NI ActYes
26-10-2026MondayAccession DayState Gazetted / RegionalYes (J&K UT Mandate)
08-11-2026SundayDiwaliGazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
24-11-2026TuesdayGuru Nanak JayantiGazette / NI ActOptional
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Jammu & Kashmir​

  1. Annual Display of Holidays: Post the approved holiday list on employee notice boards and digital platforms before 1st January.
  2. Weekly Day of Rest: Provide one full day of weekly rest to all workers under the J&K Shops and Establishments Act.
  3. Double Wages or Comp-Off: Employees required to work on an approved holiday must be compensated at double wages (200%), or normal pay plus a paid compensatory off within 30 days.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. Is Accession Day (October 26th) a public holiday in Jammu & Kashmir?​

Yes. Accession Day (commemorating the signing of the Instrument of Accession in 1947) is an official gazetted public holiday across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

2. Are two days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha observed in J&K?​

Yes. Due to widespread observance, the Jammu & Kashmir Government typically gazettes two consecutive days of public holidays for both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid).