The Karnataka State Government has officially released the Government Holiday List for the year 2026, providing detailed information about public holidays, general holidays, and restricted holidays applicable to state government offices throughout the year.
This holiday list is extremely important for government employees, students, bank staff, private-sector employees, and the general public who frequently visit government offices for official work. Knowing the exact holiday schedule in advance helps citizens plan their work, travel, festivals, and official visits efficiently.
In this article, we present a complete, month-wise list of Karnataka Government Holidays for 2026, along with important explanations, holiday classifications, and practical guidance for citizens.
Why the Government Holiday List Is Important
Before visiting any government office—such as revenue offices, taluk offices, food and civil supplies offices, municipal offices, or banks—it is essential to confirm whether the office is open or closed on a particular day.
The Karnataka Government Holiday List helps citizens:
- Avoid unnecessary visits on holidays
- Plan applications and document submissions
- Schedule official meetings
- Organize travel and personal events
- Coordinate school, college, and office schedules
This is especially useful because government offices in Karnataka remain closed not only on public holidays but also on second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays.
Types of Holidays in Karnataka (2026)
For the year 2026, the Karnataka Government has classified holidays into the following categories:
1. General (Public) Holidays
These are mandatory holidays observed by all state government offices across Karnataka.
2. Restricted Holidays
Employees may choose a limited number of these holidays based on personal or religious preferences, subject to departmental rules.
3. Weekly Holidays
- All Sundays
- Second Saturday
- Fourth Saturday
These weekly holidays are not included in the official count of general and restricted holidays.
Holiday Statistics for 2026
According to the official notification:
- Total General (Public) Holidays: 20
- Total Restricted Holidays: 21
- Applicable Period: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
- Weekly holidays (Sundays + 2nd & 4th Saturdays) are excluded from the above count.
Month-Wise Karnataka Government Holiday List 2026
Below is the detailed month-by-month holiday calendar for Karnataka in 2026.
January 2026 Holidays
January marks the beginning of the year and includes important national and religious holidays.
- January 1 (Thursday) – New Year’s Day
- January 15 (Thursday) – Makara Sankranti
- January 26 (Monday) – Republic Day
- January 27 (Tuesday) – Madhva Navami
These holidays are observed across all state government offices.
February 2026 Holidays
- February 4 (Wednesday) – Shab-e-Barat
February has fewer holidays, making it a relatively work-heavy month for government offices.
March 2026 Holidays
March is one of the most holiday-rich months due to multiple religious and cultural observances.
- March 2 (Monday) – Holi
- March 17 (Tuesday) – Shab-e-Qadr
- March 19 (Thursday) – Ugadi (Kannada New Year)
- March 20 (Friday) – Jamat-ul-Vida
- March 23 (Monday) – Devara Dasimayya Jayanti
- March 27 (Friday) – Rama Navami
- March 31 (Tuesday) – Mahaveer Jayanti
Citizens are advised to plan official work carefully during this month.
April 2026 Holidays
April includes major religious, cultural, and social reformer commemorations.
- April 3 (Friday) – Good Friday
- April 4 (Saturday) – Holy Saturday
- April 14 (Tuesday) – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti
- April 20 (Monday) – Basava Jayanti & Akshaya Tritiya
- April 21 (Tuesday) – Shankaracharya Jayanti
- April 22 (Wednesday) – Ramanujacharya Jayanti
April has a mix of general and restricted holidays.
May 2026 Holidays
- May 1 (Friday) – International Workers’ Day (May Day)
- May 28 (Thursday) – Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha)
May Day is a major public holiday for both government and private sectors.
June 2026 Holidays
- June 26 (Friday) – Muharram (Last Day)
June generally has fewer holidays, making it suitable for completing official work.
July 2026
No major state-wide public holidays are officially listed for July 2026, apart from weekly holidays.
August 2026 Holidays
August is another important month with national and religious festivals.
- August 15 (Saturday) – Independence Day
- August 21 (Friday) – Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata
- August 26 (Wednesday) – Eid-Milad
- August 27 (Thursday) – Yajur Upakarma
- August 28 (Friday) – Narayana Guru Jayanti & Raksha Bandhan
Since Independence Day falls on a Saturday, employees should check whether it coincides with the second or fourth Saturday.
September 2026 Holidays
- September 4 (Friday) – Krishna Janmashtami
- September 8 (Tuesday) – Kanya Mariamma Jayanti
- September 14 (Monday) – Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata
- September 17 (Thursday) – Vishwakarma Jayanti
- September 25 (Friday) – Anantha Padmanabha Vrata
September includes several religious observances followed widely across Karnataka.
October 2026 Holidays
October is known for major national and festival holidays.
- October 2 (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
- October 20 (Tuesday) – Mahanavami / Ayudha Pooja
- October 21 (Wednesday) – Vijayadashami
This period often sees extended holidays when combined with weekends.
November 2026 Holidays
- November 10 (Tuesday) – Balipadyami / Deepavali
- November 24 (Tuesday) – Guru Nanak Jayanti
- November 26 (Thursday) – Huttari Festival
- November 27 (Friday) – Kanakadasa Jayanti
November includes cultural and religious holidays celebrated across communities.
December 2026 Holidays
The final month of the year includes major Christian festivals.
- December 24 (Thursday) – Christmas Eve
- December 25 (Friday) – Christmas Day
These holidays are widely observed across Karnataka.
Important Notes for the Public
- Second & Fourth Saturdays
Most government offices and banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. - Sunday Closures
All Sundays are regular holidays. - Bank Holidays
Bank holidays may slightly vary based on RBI notifications. - Local Holidays
District-level or local holidays may be declared separately by district administrations.
How Citizens Should Use This Holiday List
- Always verify holidays before visiting government offices
- Submit important applications well in advance
- Avoid last-minute visits near festival seasons
- Keep digital and printed copies of the holiday list
Conclusion
The Karnataka Government Holiday List 2026 provides a clear and structured overview of official holidays throughout the year. By publishing this calendar well in advance, the state government enables citizens and employees to plan their schedules efficiently.
Whether you are a government employee, student, business owner, or common citizen, staying informed about official holidays helps you save time, avoid inconvenience, and manage work more effectively.
We recommend bookmarking or saving this holiday list and sharing it with family, colleagues, and friends for wider public benefit.
