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Puducherry Holiday Calendar 2026: Statutory, Public & Commercial Holidays

In the Union Territory of Puducherry, workplace holidays, industrial leave, and commercial closures are regulated under the Puducherry Shops and Establishments Act, 1964, the Puducherry Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1964, and annual notifications issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Puducherry under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Enterprises across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam must observe the UT's distinct Franco-Tamil historic milestones—notably De Jure Transfer Day and Puducherry Liberation Day.

Puducherry Statutory Mandate (8 Paid Holidays)

Under Section 3 of the Puducherry Industrial Establishments Act, 1964: Every employee is entitled to not less than 8 paid holidays per year, including:

  1. Republic Day (26 January)
  2. May Day (1 May)
  3. Independence Day (15 August)
  4. Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
  5. 4 Additional Festival Holidays agreed upon with employees.

📅 Official Puducherry Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
01-01-2026ThursdayNew Year's DayGazette / RegionalYes (Standard Off)
14-01-2026WednesdayPongalState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Regional Priority)
15-01-2026ThursdayThiruvalluvar Day / Mattu PongalState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Regional Priority)
16-01-2026FridayUzhavar ThirunalState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
21-03-2026SaturdayRamzan (Id-ul-Fitr)Gazette / NI ActYes
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)
14-04-2026TuesdayTamil New Year's Day & Dr. Ambedkar JayantiState & National GazetteYes
01-05-2026FridayMay DayState Mandatory HolidayYes (Statutory Mandate)
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Adha)Gazette / NI ActYes
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharramGazette / NI ActOptional / Floating
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
16-08-2026SundayDe Jure Transfer Day (Puducherry Merger Day)State Foundation DayYes (Sunday Overlap)
28-08-2026FridayMilad-un-NabiGazette / NI ActOptional
14-09-2026MondayVinayagar ChathurthiState Gazetted / RegionalYes
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
19-10-2026MondayAyutha PoojaState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Regional Priority)
20-10-2026TuesdayVijaya DasamiState Gazetted / RegionalYes
01-11-2026SundayPuducherry Liberation DayState Mandatory HolidayYes (Sunday Overlap)
08-11-2026SundayDeepavaliGazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Puducherry​

  1. Submission of Proposed Holidays: Employers must submit proposed festival holidays in Form V to the local Labour Officer before 31st December.
  2. Display of Notice (Form III): Exhibit the approved holiday list on the workplace notice board by 1st January.
  3. Double Wages or Comp-Off: Employees required to work on a declared holiday must receive twice the ordinary daily wages (200%), or regular pay plus a paid substitute holiday within 90 days.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. What is De Jure Transfer Day in Puducherry?​

16th August (De Jure Transfer Day) commemorates the historic date in 1962 when the French Parliament ratified the treaty ceding French territories of Pondicherry, Karikal, Mahe, and Yanam to the Republic of India.

2. When is Puducherry Liberation Day celebrated?​

Puducherry Liberation Day is celebrated on 1st November, marking the de facto transfer of power from French administration to the Indian Union in 1954.