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Kerala Holiday Calendar 2026: Statutory, Public & Commercial Holidays

In Kerala, workplace holidays and statutory leave are regulated under the Kerala Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1958, the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960, and annual notifications issued by the General Administration Department, Government of Kerala under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Kerala enforces the highest minimum statutory holiday quota in India, providing employees extensive coverage during regional celebrations like Onam and Vishu.

Kerala Statutory Mandate (13 Paid Holidays)

Under Section 3 of the Kerala Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1958: Every employee is entitled to not less than 13 paid holidays per calendar year, which must include:

  1. Republic Day (26 January)
  2. May Day (1 May)
  3. Independence Day (15 August)
  4. Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
  5. 9 Additional Festival Holidays determined in consultation with trade unions or works committees.

📅 Official Kerala Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
02-01-2026FridayMannam JayanthiState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
18-02-2026WednesdayMaha ShivratriGazette / NI ActOptional
21-03-2026SaturdayId-ul-Fitr (Ramzan)Gazette / NI ActYes
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
02-04-2026ThursdayMaundy ThursdayState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Corporate Choice
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)
14-04-2026TuesdayDr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti & VishuState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festival)
01-05-2026FridayMay DayState Mandatory HolidayYes (Statutory Mandate under Sec 3)
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Adha)Gazette / NI ActYes
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharramGazette / NI ActOptional / Floating
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
24-08-2026MondayFirst OnamState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festive Block)
25-08-2026TuesdayThiruvonam (Main Onam)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festive Block)
26-08-2026WednesdayThird OnamState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festive Block)
27-08-2026ThursdayFourth Onam / Sree Narayana Guru JayanthiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festive Block)
28-08-2026FridayMilad-un-NabiGazette / NI ActOptional
04-09-2026FridaySree Krishna JayanthiState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
21-09-2026MondaySree Narayana Guru SamadhiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (State Mandate)
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
19-10-2026MondayMahanavamiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High State Priority)
20-10-2026TuesdayVijayadasamiGazette / NI ActYes
08-11-2026SundayDeepavaliGazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Standard State Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Kerala​

  1. Submission of Form I (Notice of Proposed Holidays): Employers must submit the proposed list of 13 holidays to the jurisdictional Assistant Labour Officer before 31st December.
  2. Display in Form II: The approved schedule must be displayed on workplace notice boards by January 1.
  3. Compensation for Working on Holidays: Under Section 5, employees required to work on any declared holiday are entitled to twice the ordinary rate of wages (200%), or normal daily pay plus a paid substitute holiday within 90 days.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. How many statutory paid holidays are mandatory in Kerala?​

Kerala mandates a minimum of 13 paid holidays per calendar year (4 compulsory national/state days plus 9 festival holidays), the highest legal quota in India.

2. Is Onam an extended paid holiday in Kerala?​

Yes. Employers in Kerala typically observe a 3 to 4 day paid holiday block encompassing First Onam, Thiruvonam, Third Onam, and Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi.