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Punjab Holiday Calendar 2026: Statutory, Public & Commercial Holidays

In Punjab, workplace holidays, industrial leave, and commercial closures are governed under the Punjab Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays and Casual and Sick Leave) Act, 1965, the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, and notifications issued by the Department of Personnel, Government of Punjab under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Industrial centers in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, and commercial establishments across Mohali (SAS Nagar) must comply with Punjab's statutory leave framework.

Statutory Minimum in Punjab (8 Paid Holidays)

Under Section 3 of the Act, every employee in Punjab is entitled to:

  • 3 National Holidays (26 January, 15 August, 2 October)
  • 5 Festival Holidays approved by the Labour Inspectorate.
  • Minimum statutory quota: 8 paid holidays annually.

📅 Official Punjab Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
05-01-2026MondayBirthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh JiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
01-02-2026SundayBirthday of Sri Guru Ravidas JiState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Sunday Overlap
18-02-2026WednesdayMaha ShivratriGazette / NI ActOptional
03-03-2026TuesdayHoliGazette / NI ActYes
21-03-2026SaturdayId-ul-FitrGazette / NI ActYes
23-03-2026MondayShaheedi Diwas of S. Bhagat Singh JiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
27-03-2026FridayRam NavamiGazette / NI ActOptional
31-03-2026TuesdayMahavir JayantiGazette / 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 (Major State Festival)
01-05-2026FridayMay DayState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Industrial Priority)
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Zuha)Gazette / NI ActYes
16-06-2026TuesdayMartyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev JiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharramGazette / NI ActOptional / Floating
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
04-09-2026FridayJanmashtamiGazette / NI ActOptional
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDussehraGazette / NI ActYes
26-10-2026MondayMaharishi Valmiki JayantiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (State Mandate)
08-11-2026SundayDiwaliGazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
09-11-2026MondayVishwakarma DayState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Industrial Priority)
24-11-2026TuesdayBirthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev JiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
14-12-2026MondayMartyrdom Day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur JiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (State Mandate)
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Punjab​

  1. Annual Filing: Submit the proposed list of festival holidays to the local Labour Conciliation Officer before 31st December.
  2. Display Rules: Exhibit the approved schedule on the establishment's notice board by January 1.
  3. Compensation for Holiday Work: Employees working on declared holidays must be paid twice the ordinary daily wages (200%), or normal pay plus a paid compensatory off within 30 days.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. Is Baisakhi a mandatory paid holiday in Punjab?​

Yes. Baisakhi marks the Punjabi harvest festival and the founding day of the Khalsa Panth, representing a core state gazetted holiday observed by all industrial and commercial sectors.

2. Is Vishwakarma Day celebrated as a paid holiday in Punjab factories?​

Yes. Across manufacturing, engineering, and industrial units in Punjab, Vishwakarma Day (observed the day after Diwali) is traditionally observed as a full paid holiday.