Government employees in West Bengal are in for a treat next year.
With more than 150 non-working days in 2026, the holiday calendar is one of the longest in recent years.
Extended festival breaks, long weekends, and special holidays mean staff will have plenty of time to relax and celebrate.
Durga Puja Break: A 12-Day Holiday
The Finance Department has released the official holiday list, confirming a massive 12-day break for Durga Puja and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
Employees will get almost the entire second half of October off.
Durga Puja 2026 Holiday Schedule:
October 15–17: Chaturthi, Panchami, Sasthi
October 18: Saptami (Sunday)
October 19–21: Ashtami, Nabami, Dashami
October 22–24: Additional Puja holidays
October 25: Lakshmi Puja (Sunday)
October 26: Additional holiday for Lakshmi Puja
This long stretch ensures a festive and relaxing October for government staff.
Extended Festival Breaks in November
The holiday season doesn’t end with Durga Puja.
November brings Kali Puja and Chhath, giving employees over 10 days of leave.
Back-to-back long weekends make this period perfect for family time and celebrations.
However, not every festival adds extra days off.
Six major festivals fall on a Sunday in 2026, including Shivaratri, Saptami, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, and Birsa Munda Jayanti.
Even so, the total holiday count remains impressive.
Total Holidays: 157+ Non-Working Days
The 2026 calendar includes:
27 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act
26 state-declared holidays
52 Saturdays + 52 Sundays
This totals 157+ non-working days, giving employees more than four months off when combined with weekends.
Santhali employees will also get Hul Dibas (June 30) as an extra holiday.
A Calendar Focused on Work-Life Balance
With nearly a third of the year made up of holidays and weekends, West Bengal’s 2026 calendar emphasizes cultural inclusivity and work-life balance.
The long Durga Puja break remains the highlight, reflecting the state’s rich festive traditions.
