Department of Posts: 2026 Holiday List Announcement

📢 Department of Posts: 2026 Holiday List Announcement

📍 Issued by: Ministry of Communications, Government of India
📅 Date: 12 August 2025
🔹 Reference No.: Y-21/2/2024-PE-II-DOP
📌 Key Highlights
🗓️ Compulsory Holidays (14 Days)

Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali, Eid, Christmas, etc. (Full list in Annexure-I).
No changes permitted in dates/festivals declared.

➕ 3 Optional Holidays

To be chosen state-wise by Central Govt. Welfare Committees in consultation with Postal Associations.
Options: Holi, Janmashtami, Makar Sankranti, etc. (List in Para 3.1).

🔄 Restricted Holidays (Delhi/NCR)

Employees may choose 2 extra holidays from a local list (Annexure-II).

📢 Special Provisions for Postal Staff

Recognized Postal Associations (e.g., AIGDSU, BPEA) will now be consulted for holiday selection (unlike other depts.).
Reason: Postal offices operate on Saturdays (no weekly off).

⚠️ Important Notes

No substitute holidays if a festival falls on a weekend.
Diwali (8 Nov 2026) is on Sunday; some states may observe it on Naraka Chaturdasi (7 Nov).
For Muslim festivals (Eid, Milad), dates may change based on moon sighting.

📋 Annexures Summary

Annexure-I: Full list of 14 national holidays with dates (e.g., 26 Jan, 15 Aug).
Annexure-II: Restricted holidays for Delhi (e.g., Guru Ravidas Jayanti, Pongal).

📩 Action Required

Circles/Regions: Finalize and publish holiday lists after consulting local associations.
Employees: Check your Circle’s notification for optional holidays.

🔗 Attachments: