2 min readKolkataUpdated: Dec 15, 2025 01:13 PM IST
In 2026, state government employees will be granted 27 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, and 26 holidays under state government orders, adding up the tally to 53. When combined with Saturdays and Sundays, the total tally of non-working days crosses 150. (Express Photo)
January 2026 brings a holiday bonanza for West Bengal government employees, with the possibility of up to 10 days off including weekends, if a single day of leave is taken strategically.
According to the state government calendar, Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11 are regular weekend holidays. January 12 is Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, while Wednesday, January 14 is Makar Sankranti. If an employee takes casual leave on Tuesday, January 13, it results in a five-day continuous break.
Another long stretch comes towards the end of the month. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday and Saraswati Puja fall on January 23. This is followed by Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, while Monday, January 26 is a holiday on account of Republic Day. This creates a four-day break without taking any leave.
In addition, government employees will also get a holiday on January 1, along with all Saturdays and Sundays during the month.
The year will include extended festival breaks, most notably during Durga Puja.
As per the holiday list issued by the state Finance department, Durga Puja and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja together will account for a 12-day stretch of holidays. Leave has been granted on October 15, 16 and 17 for Chaturthi, Panchami and Sasthi. October 18, a Sunday, coincides with Maha Saptami, followed by holidays on October 19, 20 and 21 for Ashtami, Nabami and Dashami.
October 22, 23 and 24 have been declared additional Puja holidays. Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday, October 25, with October 26 marked as an additional holiday, effectively giving government employees nearly half of October off.
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In November, employees will again get over 10 days of leave due to Kali Puja and Chhath Puja. However, six festival holidays in 2026 fall on Sundays, including Shivaratri (February 15), Durga Puja Saptami (October 18), Lakshmi Puja (October 25), Kali Puja (November 8), Chhath Puja and Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary (November 15).
In 2026, state government employees will receive 27 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and 26 holidays under state government orders, totalling 53 official holidays. Combined with 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays, the total number of non-working days crosses 150.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
