🏛️ Official GAD J&K Gazette Schedule
J&K Government Holidays List 2026
Authoritative annual holiday calendar notified by the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Featuring official Gazetted holidays, Restricted (Optional) leaves, Provincial Jammu & Kashmir regional observances, School summer & winter vacation schedules, and Bank holidays under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
📜 Order: GAD-ADM/2026/UTJK
📍 Coverage: All 20 Districts (Jammu & Kashmir Divisions)
⚡ Updated for Calendar Year 2026
27
Gazetted (UT-Wide)
12
Restricted / Optional
8
Provincial Specific
19
N.I. Act Bank Holidays
8
Long Weekend Trips
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📅 Master Calendar of Holidays 2026 — Independent Public Knowledge & Research Initiative
Showing all 38 scheduled holidays
| Date & Day | Holiday / Observance Name | Classification | Applicability | Significance & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ❄️ January 2026 | ||||
| 05 Jan 2026 Monday |
Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Birthday
Prakash Parv of the Tenth Sikh Guru
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All J&K Government Offices & Banks | Commemoration of the 10th Sikh Guru and founder of Khalsa. |
| 16 Jan 2026 Friday * |
Shab-i-Miraj
The Night of Ascension (Lailat al-Miraj)
|
Gazetted UT | All J&K UT Offices & Institutions | Special nocturnal prayers at Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar and mosques across J&K (*Subject to moon sighting). |
| 23 Jan 2026 Friday * |
Friday Following Shab-i-Miraj
Post-Ascension Friday Congregation
|
Provincial Kashmir | Kashmir Division Only | Grand congregational prayers and holy relic display at Hazratbal Shrine. |
| 26 Jan 2026 Monday |
Republic Day
National Festival of India
|
National Gazetted Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Schools, Secretariats & Commercial Banks | State parade at M.A. Stadium Jammu and Bakshi Stadium Srinagar. Long Weekend (Jan 24–26). |
| 🌾 February 2026 | ||||
| 01 Feb 2026 Sunday |
Guru Ravi Das Ji's Birthday
Prakash Utsav
|
Gazetted UT | All J&K Government Offices | Celebrated with Shobha Yatras across Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts. |
| 04 Feb 2026 Wednesday * |
Shab-e-Barat
The Night of Forgiveness (Mid-Sha'ban)
|
Gazetted UT | All UT Offices & Educational Institutions | Night-long prayers, Quran recitations, and visits to ancestral graveyards (*Subject to moon sighting). |
| 15 Feb 2026 Sunday / Mon |
Maha Shivratri (Herath)
Kashmiri Pandit Festival & Lord Shiva's Nuptial Night
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Secretariats & Banks | Prime religious festival for Kashmiri Pandits with Vatuk Pooja, walnuts, and grand celebrations at Peer Kho & Shankaracharya. |
| 🌸 March 2026 | ||||
| 04 Mar 2026 Wednesday |
Holi
Festival of Colours & Spring
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Schools & Banks | Celebrated with festive colours across Jammu division and police/armed forces establishments. |
| 17 Mar 2026 Tuesday * |
Shab-i-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)
|
Gazetted UT | All J&K UT Offices & Educational Institutions | Night commemorating the Quranic revelation (*Subject to moon sighting). |
| 20 Mar 2026 Friday * |
Jumat-ul-Vida
Last Friday of the Holy Month of Ramadan
|
Gazetted UT | All J&K UT Offices & Institutions | Mass congregational Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar and Hazratbal Shrine. |
| 21 Mar 2026 Saturday |
Nauroz
Persian New Year / Spring Equinox
|
Provincial Kashmir | Kashmir Division & Shia Community Institutions | Traditional spring planting day, leech therapy traditions, and festive feasts in Srinagar & Budgam. |
| 21 Mar – 22 Mar 2026 Sat – Sun * |
Eid-ul-Fitr (2 Days)
Feast of Breaking the Fast (Meethi Eid)
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Educational Institutes & Banks | Major 2-day UT festival marking the culmination of Ramadan (*Subject to official Ruet-e-Hilal moon sighting). |
| 26 Mar 2026 Thursday |
Ram Navami
Birth of Lord Rama (Chaitra Navratri Concluding Day)
|
Gazetted UT | All UT Offices & Educational Institutions | Kanya Poojan, processions, and grand celebrations at Raghunath Temple, Jammu. |
| 31 Mar 2026 Tuesday |
Mahavir Jayanti
Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavira
|
Restricted / Optional | Optional Leave for UT Employees | Observed by Jain community with Ahimsa rallies and temple prayers. |
| 🌱 April 2026 | ||||
| 01 Apr 2026 Wednesday |
Annual Bank Account Closing
Commercial Bank Fiscal Closure
|
N.I. Act Bank Only | All Commercial & Cooperative Banks (Public dealing closed) | Commercial banks close books for annual audit. UT Government offices remain open. |
| 03 Apr 2026 Friday |
Good Friday
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
|
Restricted / Optional | Optional Leave for Christian Staff & Convent Schools | Church services at Holy Family Catholic Church, Srinagar & St. Mary's Cathedral, Jammu. |
| 13 Apr 2026 Monday |
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi)
Harvest Festival & Khalsa Sirjana Diwas
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Secretariats & Banks | Harvest celebration with festive fairs at Canal Road Jammu, Ranbir Canal, and Nagin Lake. Long Weekend (Apr 11–13). |
| 14 Apr 2026 Tuesday |
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti
Architect of the Constitution of India
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Universities & Banks | Tributes paid across all district headquarters and administrative complexes. |
| 20 Apr 2026 Monday |
Mela Bahu Fort (Chaitra)
Bave Wali Mata Annual Fair
|
Provincial Jammu | Jammu District / Division | Historic devotional gathering at Bahu Fort temple dedicated to Goddess Mahakali. |
| ☀️ May 2026 | ||||
| 01 May 2026 Friday |
Buddha Purnima
Birth, Enlightenment & Parinirvana of Lord Buddha
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices & Banks | Special celebrations across Buddhist monasteries and UT centers. Long Weekend (May 1–3). |
| 27 May – 28 May 2026 Wed – Thu * |
Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid — 2 Days)
Feast of the Sacrifice
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Educational Institutes & Banks | Sacrificial prayers, community feasts, and prayers at Eidgah Srinagar & Eidgah Jammu (*Subject to moon sighting). |
| 🌿 June 2026 | ||||
| 25 Jun 2026 Thursday * |
Ashura (10th Muharram)
Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS)
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Secretariats & Banks | Mourning processions in Zadibal, Srinagar, Budgam, and Jammu old city (*Subject to moon sighting). |
| 26 Jun 2026 Friday * |
Urs Shah-i-Hamdan Sahib
Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (RA) Commemoration
|
Provincial Kashmir | Kashmir Division Only | Devotional gatherings at Khanqah-e-Moula, Srinagar and Khanqah shrines across the Valley. |
| 29 Jun 2026 Monday |
Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday
Prakash Utsav of 6th Sikh Guru
|
Restricted / Optional | Optional Leave for UT Employees | Celebrated at Chhatti Padshahi Gurdwara, Rainawari Srinagar. |
| 🏔️ July 2026 | ||||
| 13 Jul 2026 Monday |
Martyrs' Commemoration Observance
Regional Observance (Restricted)
|
Restricted | Optional Administrative Observance | Local administrative observance in specific areas. |
| 🇮🇳 August 2026 | ||||
| 15 Aug 2026 Saturday |
Independence Day
80th Independence Day of India
|
National Gazetted Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Educational Institutes & Banks | State flag hoisting at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar and Jammu Civil Secretariat with cultural shows. |
| 25 Aug 2026 Tuesday * |
Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi
Mawlid (Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad PBUH)
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices & Educational Institutions | Grand religious congregations and exhibition of holy relic (Moi-e-Muqqadas) at Hazratbal Shrine (*Subject to moon sighting). |
| 27 Aug 2026 Thursday |
Raksha Bandhan
Rakhi / Shravan Purnima
|
Gazetted UT | All UT Offices & Schools | Symbol of sibling bond; holy 'Chhari Mubarak' reaches Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine. |
| 28 Aug 2026 Friday * |
Friday Following Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi
Post-Milad Congregational Friday
|
Provincial Kashmir | Kashmir Division Only | Special prayers and holy relic display at Hazratbal Shrine. Long Weekend (Aug 28–30) in Kashmir. |
| 30 Aug 2026 Sunday |
Kailash Yatra (Bhaderwah)
Ancient Naga Pilgrimage
|
Provincial Jammu | Doda / Kishtwar Districts (Local Holiday) | Sacred mountain pilgrimage to Kailash Kund (14,700 ft) dedicated to Vasuki Nag Ji. |
| 🍂 September 2026 | ||||
| 04 Sep 2026 Friday |
Janmashtami (Krishna Janmashtami)
Nativity of Lord Krishna (Gokulashtami)
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Secretariats & Banks | Fasting, midnight aarti, and grand Shobha Yatras in Jammu old city and ISKCON temples. Long Weekend (Sep 4–6). |
| 23 Sep 2026 Wednesday |
Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji
Tribute to the Last Ruling Maharaja of J&K
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Government Offices, Schools, Colleges & Banks | Commemorating Maharaja Hari Singh Ji (1895–1961), progressive reformer who signed the Instrument of Accession. |
| 🍁 October 2026 | ||||
| 02 Oct 2026 Friday |
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
International Day of Non-Violence
|
National Gazetted Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Secretariats, Educational Institutes & Banks | Swachhta tributes and floral ceremonies at Gandhi Nagar Jammu and Civil Secretariats. Long Weekend (Oct 2–4). |
| 08 Oct 2026 Thursday * |
Urs Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani
Nund Rishi Commemoration
|
Provincial Kashmir | Kashmir Division / Budgam District | Sufi pilgrimage and floral chadar offering at Charar-e-Sharief shrine. |
| 20 Oct 2026 Tuesday |
Dussehra (Maha Navami / Vijaya Dashami)
Victory of Good over Evil
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Educational Institutes & Banks | Effigy burning of Ravana at Parade Ground Jammu and Sanat Nagar Srinagar. |
| 26 Oct 2026 Monday |
Accession Day
Commemoration of Instrument of Accession (1947)
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Universities, Schools & Banks | UT-wide holiday honoring J&K's historic accession to the Republic of India. Long Weekend (Oct 24–26). |
| 28 Oct 2026 Wednesday |
Karva Chauth
Fasting for Spousal Longevity
|
Restricted (Women) | Special Casual Leave for Women Employees in J&K | Special GAD authorized optional leave for female government employees. |
| 🪔 November 2026 | ||||
| 08 Nov – 09 Nov 2026 Sun – Mon |
Diwali (Deepavali & Govardhan Puja)
Festival of Lights
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All Government Offices, Secretariats, Schools & Banks | Illumination of temples, homes, and shrines across all districts. Long Weekend (Nov 7–9). |
| 24 Nov 2026 Tuesday |
Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Birthday
Gurpurab (Prakash Parv)
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Secretariats & Commercial Banks | Nagar Kirtans, Akhand Path, and community langar at Nanak Nagar Jammu and Gurdwara Mattan. |
| 26 Nov 2026 Thursday |
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's Martyrdom Day
Shaheedi Diwas
|
Restricted / Optional | Optional Leave for UT Employees | Commemoration of the supreme sacrifice for religious freedom. |
| 🎄 December 2026 | ||||
| 17 Dec 2026 Thursday * |
Urs Hazrat Sultan-ul-Arifeen
Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Sahib (RA)
|
Provincial Kashmir | Kashmir Division / Srinagar District | Devotional assembly at Makhdoom Sahib Shrine on Koh-e-Maran hill, Srinagar. |
| 25 Dec 2026 Friday |
Christmas Day
Nativity of Jesus Christ
|
Gazetted UT Bank Holiday | All UT Offices, Secretariats, Educational Institutes & Banks | Midnight masses at St. Mary's Church Gulmarg and Gandhi Nagar Jammu. Long Weekend (Dec 25–27). |
* Note on Lunar Dates: Festivals marked with an asterisk (*) are subject to moon sighting and separate formal notification by the General Administration Department (GAD), Civil Secretariat, J&K.
🏖️ Long Weekends in J&K 2026 (Travel & Leave Planner)
Take advantage of public holidays adjoining weekends to plan trips to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Gulmarg snow slopes, Pahalgam valleys, Patnitop pine forests, or Bhaderwah eco-trails.
Jan 24 – Jan 26, 2026
3-Day Weekend
Republic Day Long Break
Saturday to Monday break. Perfect for winter snow sports in Gulmarg or visiting Jammu city's historic temples during pleasant winter days.
Apr 11 – Apr 14, 2026
4-Day Mega Weekend
Baisakhi & Ambedkar Jayanti
Saturday (Apr 11) to Tuesday (Apr 14). Ideal 4-day window for Kashmir Spring Tulip Festival in Srinagar or Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.
May 01 – May 03, 2026
3-Day Weekend
Buddha Purnima Break
Friday to Sunday. Great time to explore blooming gardens of Srinagar, Sonamarg glacier routes, or Bhaderwah pine valleys.
Aug 15 – Aug 17, 2026
3-Day Weekend
Independence Day Break
Saturday to Monday (by taking 1 casual leave). Perfect weather for Patnitop, Sanasar paragliding, and Doodhpathri meadows.
Sep 04 – Sep 06, 2026
3-Day Weekend
Janmashtami Break
Friday to Sunday. Enjoy pleasant early autumn in Yusmarg, Pahalgam, and Jammu Raghunath Bazaar festivals.
Oct 02 – Oct 04, 2026
3-Day Weekend
Gandhi Jayanti Long Weekend
Friday to Sunday. Experience breathtaking golden Chinar leaves during autumn in Kashmir and festive Navratri in Katra.
Oct 24 – Oct 26, 2026
3-Day Weekend
UT Accession Day Break
Saturday to Monday. Excellent weather across Jammu division for Mansar Lake, Surinsar, and Shiv Khori pilgrimage circuits.
Dec 25 – Dec 27, 2026
3-Day Weekend
Christmas & Winter Solstice
Friday to Sunday. Experience pristine snowfall, ski courses in Gulmarg, and Christmas celebrations in colonial mountain churches.
🏫 J&K School Vacation Calendar 2026 (Summer & Winter Zones)
Official vacation frameworks issued by the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) and Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) for all government and recognized private schools across the Union Territory.
☀️ Jammu Division (Summer Zone Plains)
Covers plain areas of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur districts facing intense summer heat.
- Summer Vacations: June 01 – July 15, 2026 (45 Days)
- Pooja / Diwali Break: 5 Days during Navratri/Diwali
- Short Winter Break: Jan 01 – Jan 10, 2026 (10 Days)
- New Academic Session: Starts in April 2026 (Uniform Calendar)
❄️ Kashmir Division & Jammu Winter Zone
Covers all 10 Kashmir districts and hilly winter zones of Jammu (Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri hills, Gool, Chenab Valley).
- Primary & Middle (Winter): Dec 01, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 (90 Days)
- High / Higher Secondary: Dec 11, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 (80 Days)
- Short Summer Break: July 01 – July 10, 2026 (10 Days)
- School Reopening: March 01, 2026 (Subject to weather)
📜 GAD Administrative Rules & Holiday Guidelines
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881: Holidays declared under Section 25 of the N.I. Act apply strictly to all Public Sector Banks, Private Commercial Banks, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) branches, and Treasury offices across Jammu & Kashmir.
- Restricted Holidays (RH) Entitlement: Regular employees of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir are eligible to avail a maximum of two (2) Restricted Holidays in a calendar year with prior sanction from their respective Drawing & Disbursing Officers (DDO) or Head of Department (HoD).
- Local Holiday Sanctioning Powers: Deputy Commissioners / District Magistrates of the 20 districts are empowered under standing GAD orders to declare up to two local district-specific holidays per year on occasions of traditional melas, local historical anniversaries, or prominent pilgrimages.
- Holidays on Weekends: When a notified Gazetted Holiday coincides with a Sunday or a Second/Fourth Saturday, no compensatory off is granted unless specifically sanctioned by an executive order of the Lieutenant Governor's administration.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — J&K Holidays 2026
Common queries regarding GAD holiday notifications, regional leaves, bank closures, and school calendars in Jammu & Kashmir.
Who issues the official J&K Government Holiday Calendar?
The General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Jammu and Kashmir, officially notifies the annual schedule of Gazetted and Restricted holidays under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and executive orders issued from the Civil Secretariat.
What is the difference between Gazetted and Restricted (Optional) holidays in J&K?
Gazetted holidays are mandatory public holidays observed across all UT government departments, civil secretariats, educational institutions, and public sector undertakings. Restricted holidays (RH) are optional leaves; employees can choose up to two Restricted Holidays in a calendar year based on personal faith or regional observance.
Are provincial holidays applicable across all of Jammu & Kashmir?
No. Provincial holidays are observed only in the specific administrative division (Jammu Division or Kashmir Division). For instance, Nauroz and Urs Shah-i-Hamdan Sahib are observed in Kashmir Division, whereas Mela Bahu Fort is observed in Jammu Division.
How are Islamic festival dates finalized in J&K?
Festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Shab-i-Qadr, Muharram, and Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi depend upon lunar moon sighting. GAD J&K issues specific confirmatory orders prior to the festival based on declarations by the Grand Mufti and official Ruet-e-Hilal bodies.
What are the school summer and winter vacation schedules in J&K for 2026?
In the Jammu Summer Zone (plain areas), schools observe summer break from late May/early June to mid-July (approx. 45 days) and a short winter break in January. In Kashmir Division and Jammu Winter Zone (hilly districts), schools observe winter vacation of 70 to 80 days from early December to late February, plus a short 10-day summer break in July.
Is Maharaja Hari Singh Ji's Birthday an official public holiday in J&K?
Yes, September 23 (Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji) is a Gazetted Public Holiday across the entire Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Is Accession Day celebrated as a public holiday in Jammu & Kashmir?
Yes, October 26 is commemorated as UT Accession Day and is observed as a full Gazetted Public Holiday across all government offices, banks, and educational institutions in Jammu & Kashmir.
Can District Magistrates declare local holidays in J&K?
Yes. Deputy Commissioners (District Magistrates) are authorized under GAD rules to declare up to two local holidays within their respective district borders on account of local historic fairs, melas, or religious pilgrimages (e.g., Kailash Yatra in Doda or Jhiri Mela in Jammu).
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