Uttar Pradesh Holiday Authority Guide 2026: Rules, Acts & Travel Insights
Planning your professional and personal schedules in Uttar Pradesh for 2026 requires understanding the statutory frameworks governing public leaves. Notified by the General Administration Department (GAD) under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the calendar serves secretariats, courts, commercial banks, public sector units, and over 1.5 lakh Basic Shiksha Parishad schools.
✈️ Holiday Travel: Best Getaways Across Uttar Pradesh
Leverage 2026 long weekends for domestic spiritual and cultural tourism across UP:
Spiritual Circuit (Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura)
Visit Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, and Krishna Janmabhoomi Mathura-Vrindavan during the pleasant winter months (October to March).
Heritage & Wildlife (Agra, Dudhwa, Bundelkhand)
Explore the Mughal architecture of Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve safari, and the historic forts of Jhansi and Kalinjar.
Gazetted Holidays
Mandatory closures for all UP state government secretariats, high courts, district collectorates, and municipal corporations.
Bank Holidays (N.I. Act)
Applicable to all commercial, rural, and private banks across UP. Digital banking (UPI, Netbanking) remains operational 24/7.
Basic Shiksha Parishad
Primary and upper primary schools follow standardized 27-day summer and 15-day winter vacation schedules.
Section 1: Mandatory Bank Holiday Guidelines
Banking operations in Uttar Pradesh follow strict RBI mandates. All branches of State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda (BOB), and private lenders observe closures on all Sundays and 2nd/4th Saturdays.
During festive bank closures (Holi, Diwali, Eid), ATMs are replenished 24 hours prior. UPI transfers, IMPS, and NEFT continue without disruption.
🎯 Pro Planner "Rule of Bridge Leave"
"How to turn a 1-day gazetted holiday into a 4-5 day vacation in UP?"
Step 1: Identify a gazetted holiday on a Tuesday (e.g., Holi Mar 3) or Thursday.
Step 2: Apply for 1 Bridge Leave on the preceding Monday (Mar 2) or succeeding Friday.
Step 3: Club this with adjacent Saturday and Sunday.
Result: 4 consecutive days off with only 1 casual leave deducted!
Note for HR Managers & Corporate Establishments
Under the Uttar Pradesh Dookan Aur Vanijya Adhishthan Adhiniyam (Shops and Commercial Establishments Act), corporate employers must provide paid leaves on the 3 National Holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) plus state festival allowances chosen by company policy.
Major Districts & Cities Following This Schedule:
This holiday calendar is officially applicable across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh, including: