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Ladakh Holiday Calendar 2026: Losar, Hemis Tsechu, Buddha Purnima, Public & Commercial Holidays

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

Enterprises across Leh and Kargil must structure their annual holiday rosters around Buddhist, Islamic, and national cultural celebrations—including Losar (Ladakhi New Year), Hemis Tsechu, Buddha Purnima, and Shab-e-Qadr.

Ladakh Statutory Quota

Under the applicable framework, commercial establishments must provide a minimum of 8 paid holidays per year, including the 3 National Holidays and regional festive closures.

📅 Official Ladakh Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
01-01-2026ThursdayNew Year's DayGazette / RegionalOptional / Regional
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
19-02-2026ThursdayLosar (Ladakhi / Tibetan New Year)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Cultural Mandate)
16-03-2026MondayShab-i-QadrState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Religious Holiday)
20-03-2026FridayJumat-ul-VidaState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
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)
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
14-04-2026TuesdayDr. B.R. Ambedkar JayantiState & National GazetteYes
01-05-2026FridayMay Day / Labour DayGazette / RegionalYes (Industrial Priority)
02-05-2026SaturdayBuddha Purnima (Buddha Jayanti)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Cultural Mandate)
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
28-06-2026SundayHemis Tsechu (Birth of Guru Padmasambhava)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Sunday Overlap)
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
28-08-2026FridayMilad-un-NabiGazette / NI ActOptional
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDussehraGazette / NI ActOptional
26-10-2026MondayAccession DayState Gazetted / RegionalYes (UT Mandate)
31-10-2026SaturdayUnion Territory of Ladakh Formation DayState Foundation DayYes (Major 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 Ladakh​

  1. Annual Notice of Holidays: Display the approved holiday calendar on workplace notice boards by 1st January.
  2. Weekly Day of Rest: Provide one full day of weekly rest to all employees.
  3. Double Wages or Comp-Off: Employees required to work on an approved holiday must receive double wages (200%), or normal pay plus a paid compensatory off within 30 days.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. What is Hemis Tsechu in Ladakh?​

Hemis Tsechu is a world-famous two-day monastic festival held at the historic Hemis Monastery in Ladakh celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), featuring sacred Cham masked dances and traditional music.

2. When is Ladakh Formation Day observed?​

31st October marks Ladakh UT Formation Day, commemorating the formal establishment of Ladakh as an autonomous Union Territory of India under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.