The West Bengal state government has unveiled its holiday calendar for 2026, revealing a generous schedule of over 150 non-working days for its employees. The highlight is an unprecedented 12-day continuous break centered around the Durga Puja and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja festivals, ensuring nearly half of October will be a vacation period for staff.
The Mega 12-Day Durga Puja Break
According to the official list released by the state Finance Department, the festive period in October will be exceptionally long. The extended holiday stretch begins on October 15, 16, and 17 for Chaturthi, Panchami, and Sasthi. This is immediately followed by Maha Saptami on Sunday, October 18.
The celebrations continue with holidays for Ashtami, Nabami, and Dashami on October 19, 20, and 21. The state government has further declared October 22, 23, and 24 as additional Puja holidays. The festive season concludes with Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, October 25, and an additional holiday for the same on October 26.
Breaking Down the 150+ Holiday Count
The total number of non-working days crosses the 150 mark due to a combination of factors. Employees are entitled to 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays off in 2026.
In addition to weekends, staff will receive 27 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and 26 holidays as per state government orders. This brings the total statutory and state-declared holidays to 53 days. Santhali employees will also receive an extra day off on June 30 for Hul Dibas.
However, the year 2026 will see employees miss out on six festival holidays that coincide with Sundays, including Shivaratri and Kali Puja. Despite this, the cumulative count comfortably surpasses 150 days.
Other Major Festival Breaks in 2026
Beyond the grand Durga Puja break, the calendar is dotted with other significant holidays. The month of November will also offer more than 10 days of leave, accounting for festivals like Kali Puja and Chhath Puja. This ensures a well-distributed holiday schedule throughout the year, providing employees with ample time for rest and celebration.
This extensive holiday list underscores the West Bengal government's policy of accommodating major cultural and religious festivals, granting its workforce one of the most generous leave structures in the country.
