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Lakshadweep Holiday Calendar 2026: Statutory, Public & Commercial Holidays

In the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, public, commercial, and workplace holidays are regulated under notifications issued by the Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep (Secretariat, Kavaratti) under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Factories Act, 1948, and applicable Central Union Territory commercial guidelines.

Enterprises, port operations, government undertakings, hospitality units, and shipping establishments across Kavaratti, Agatti, Andrott, and Minicoy must structure their annual holiday rosters to respect the distinct cultural and religious practices of the islands.

Lakshadweep Statutory Quota

Commercial establishments operating in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep must provide a minimum of 8 paid holidays per year, which strictly include the 3 National Holidays (26 January, 15 August, 2 October) along with approved regional religious and administrative festival days.

📅 Official Lakshadweep Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
01-01-2026ThursdayNew Year's DayGazette / RegionalYes (Corporate Off)
03-01-2026SaturdayHazrat Ali's BirthdayState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
14-01-2026WednesdayPongal / Makar SankrantiGazette / RegionalYes (Regional Priority)
16-01-2026FridayRajab 27 (Miraj-un-Nabi)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Regional Priority)
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
03-03-2026TuesdayHoliGazette / NI ActOptional / Corporate Choice
17-03-2026TuesdayRamzan 27 (Shab-e-Qadr)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Religious Holiday)
20-03-2026FridayJumat-ul-VidaState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Religious Holiday)
21-03-2026SaturdayId-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid)Gazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)
14-04-2026TuesdayVishu / Dr. B.R. Ambedkar JayantiState & National GazetteYes
01-05-2026FridayMay Day / Buddha PurnimaGazette / RegionalYes (Industrial Priority)
27-05-2026WednesdayId-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)Gazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)
26-06-2026FridayMuharram (Ashura)Gazette / NI ActYes
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
26-08-2026WednesdayMilad-un-Nabi (Id-e-Milad)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
04-09-2026FridayJanmashtamiGazette / NI ActOptional
14-09-2026MondayGanesh ChaturthiGazette / NI ActOptional
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDussehra (Vijayadashami)Gazette / NI ActYes
08-11-2026SundayDiwali (Deepavali)Gazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
24-11-2026TuesdayGuru Nanak JayantiGazette / NI ActOptional
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Lakshadweep​

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. Does Lakshadweep follow the Central Government or Kerala gazette calendar?​

The Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep issues an autonomous gazette under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Because of historical and linguistic proximity to Kerala, regional festivals such as Vishu, Milad-un-Nabi, and Ramadan days are predominantly observed alongside central government days.

2. What compensation is required if port or hospitality workers work on Republic Day?​

Employees working on Republic Day or any mandatory holiday must be compensated at double the ordinary daily wage rate (200%), or granted regular pay plus an alternative paid compensatory day off within the statutory validity window.