Ramadan 2026: The Daily Evolution of Fasting Timings Across India
The holy month of Ramadan has commenced, ushering in a profound transformation in daily rhythms for millions. Alarms now pierce the pre-dawn silence, kitchens hum with activity while the world slumbers, and evenings are meticulously planned around the precise moment of sunset. For those observing roza (fast), the day is no longer dictated by the clock on the wall but is instead governed by the sehri (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (evening meal) timings specific to their city.
The Commencement and Gradual Shift of Ramadan 2026
The first fast of this sacred year was observed on February 19, 2026, following the sighting of the crescent moon a day earlier. Since that initial day, the timings for sehri and iftar have begun their slow, inexorable daily migration. The changes are subtle—a minute earlier here, two minutes later there—but by the week's end, the cumulative difference becomes distinctly noticeable, stretching the fasting window.
This article provides a detailed examination of how this fasting window evolves from Friday, February 20, to Thursday, February 26, 2026, highlighting schedules for key Indian cities.
Why Ramadan Timings Change Every Single Day
The core reason for these daily adjustments lies in astronomy. Sehri and iftar are intrinsically linked to sunrise and sunset. As the days gradually lengthen during this period, sehri time advances earlier, and iftar time delays later. This change, though minimal each day, is remarkably consistent throughout the month.
Additionally, minor variations of a few minutes can occur based on different community practices and calculations, such as those observed between Sunni and Shia traditions, though the primary driver remains the solar cycle.
City-Wise Sehri and Iftar Timings: February 20-26, 2026
Below is a comprehensive look at the daily schedules for four major Indian cities, illustrating the steady progression of the fasting period.
Lucknow Fasting Schedule
- 20 Feb: Sehri 05:21 AM | Iftar 6:02 PM
- 21 Feb: Sehri 05:20 AM | Iftar 6:03 PM
- 22 Feb: Sehri 05:19 AM | Iftar 6:03 PM
- 23 Feb: Sehri 05:19 AM | Iftar 6:04 PM
- 24 Feb: Sehri 05:18 AM | Iftar 6:05 PM
- 25 Feb: Sehri 05:17 AM | Iftar 6:05 PM
- 26 Feb: Sehri 05:16 AM | Iftar 6:06 PM
Delhi Fasting Schedule
- 20 Feb: Sehri 05:36 AM | Iftar 6:15 PM
- 21 Feb: Sehri 05:35 AM | Iftar 6:16 PM
- 22 Feb: Sehri 05:35 AM | Iftar 6:17 PM
- 23 Feb: Sehri 05:34 AM | Iftar 6:17 PM
- 24 Feb: Sehri 05:33 AM | Iftar 6:18 PM
- 25 Feb: Sehri 05:32 AM | Iftar 6:19 PM
- 26 Feb: Sehri 05:31 AM | Iftar 6:19 PM
The fasting duration in Delhi, as in other cities, experiences a slow but steady elongation with each passing day.
Hyderabad Fasting Schedule
- 20 Feb: Sehri 05:27 AM | Iftar 6:20 PM
- 21 Feb: Sehri 05:27 AM | Iftar 6:21 PM
- 22 Feb: Sehri 05:26 AM | Iftar 6:21 PM
- 23 Feb: Sehri 05:26 AM | Iftar 6:21 PM
- 24 Feb: Sehri 05:25 AM | Iftar 6:22 PM
- 25 Feb: Sehri 05:25 AM | Iftar 6:22 PM
- 26 Feb: Sehri 05:24 AM | Iftar 6:22 PM
The shift here is particularly gradual, yet it remains a consistent and observable trend throughout the week.
Mumbai Fasting Schedule
- 20 Feb: Sehri 05:51 AM | Iftar 06:41 PM
- 21 Feb: Sehri 05:50 AM | Iftar 06:42 PM
- 22 Feb: Sehri 05:50 AM | Iftar 06:42 PM
- 23 Feb: Sehri 05:49 AM | Iftar 06:43 PM
- 24 Feb: Sehri 05:49 AM | Iftar 06:43 PM
- 25 Feb: Sehri 05:48 AM | Iftar 06:43 PM
- 26 Feb: Sehri 05:47 AM | Iftar 06:44 PM
Mumbai's schedule follows the same pattern: sehri creeps earlier, and iftar inches later as the week unfolds, extending the daily fast.
Navigating the Week Ahead: The Cumulative Impact
While each day's adjustment may feel minuscule in isolation, the collective effect by the week's end results in a significantly increased fasting duration. This incremental change is precisely why most individuals rely on daily calendars or digital updates rather than attempting to memorize timings from the month's outset.
In essence, the rhythm of Ramadan demands waking up a little earlier each morning and breaking the fast a little later each evening. This is the celestial cadence of the holy month—a slow, harmonious shift in sync with the sun's journey across the sky.
Source: The city-wise sehri and iftar timings listed in this article have been compiled using publicly available data from Islamic Finder.
