West Bengal government employees are set for one of the longest holiday calendars in recent years, with over 150 non-working days in 2026. An extended Durga Puja break, long festival weekends, and multiple additional holidays mean employees will enjoy nearly half of October off next year.
A Massive 12-Day Break for Durga Puja
The state Finance Department has released the official holiday list for 2026, confirming that Durga Puja and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja will together create a 12-day uninterrupted holiday stretch.
Holiday breakdown for Durga Puja 2026:
- 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
In effect, employees will enjoy almost the entire second half of October off.
Long Breaks in November Too
The festive season continues in November. Because of Kali Puja and Chhath, government staff will get over 10 days of leave, creating back-to-back long weekends and extended festival breaks.
Some Festival Holidays Lost to Sundays
However, not all holidays become extra days off. In 2026, six major festivals fall on a Sunday, eliminating additional leave for those dates:
- Shivaratri – Feb 15
- Durga Puja Saptami – Oct 18
- Lakshmi Puja – Oct 25
- Kali Puja – Nov 8
- Chhath Puja – Nov 15
- Birsa Munda Jayanti – Nov 15
Despite this, the overall holiday count remains one of the highest.
Total Holiday Count Crosses 150 Days
For 2026, the breakdown of non-working days is:
- 27 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act
- 26 state-declared holidays
- 52 Saturdays + 52 Sundays
This brings the total to 157+ non-working days, offering employees more than four months of time off when combined.
Additionally, Santhali employees will receive a holiday on Hul Dibas (June 30).
A Generous Calendar for Work-Life Balance
With nearly one-third of the year made up of holidays and weekends, West Bengal’s 2026 holiday calendar stands out for its cultural inclusivity and emphasis on work-life balance. The long Puja break remains the highlight, aligning with the state’s tradition of celebrating the festive season in grand style.
