Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 (Government & Bank Holiday List)

Looking for the complete Karnataka public holidays 2026 list? This guide provides the 2026 Karnataka government holiday calendar, important bank holidays, major festivals, restricted holidays, weekend holidays and important dates. It is useful for employees, businesses, students, bank customers and anyone planning work, travel or official visits in Karnataka.

The Karnataka Government issued its 2026 general holiday notification on 17 November 2025. The notification lists 20 general holidays and also specifies that Sundays, second Saturdays and fourth Saturdays are holidays. Some festivals that fall on Sundays or an already declared Saturday are not separately added to the general-holiday count.

For the wider India-wide calendar, you can also visit the List of Public Holidays in India 2026, which acts as the main hub for state-wise holiday calendars.

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Quick Answer

Karnataka public holidays 2026 include Makara Sankranti, Republic Day, Ugadi, Khutub-E-Ramzan, Mahaveera Jayanthi, Good Friday, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi, Basava Jayanthi, May Day, Bakrid, Last Day of Moharam, Independence Day, Eid-Milad, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gandhi Jayanthi, Mahanavami, Vijayadasami, Deepavali, Kanakadasa Jayanthi and Christmas. Karnataka also observes Sundays and second and fourth Saturdays as holidays.

Summary

Karnataka public holidays 2026 consist of state government general holidays, holidays applicable to banks under the relevant public-holiday framework, and restricted holidays available to eligible government employees. The official Karnataka notification lists 20 general holidays for 2026, while certain festivals falling on Sundays or an already declared Saturday are not separately included in that 20-day list.

For practical planning, it is important to distinguish between a Karnataka Government holiday, a bank holiday, a restricted holiday and a weekly holiday. A private company, school or other organisation may maintain its own annual holiday calendar subject to applicable laws and rules.

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What are Karnataka public holidays in 2026?

Karnataka public holidays in 2026 are dates officially recognised as holidays under the Karnataka Government's applicable holiday notification and, where relevant, under the public-holiday framework for banks. The 2026 Karnataka notification includes national holidays, religious festivals, cultural occasions and important Karnataka-specific observances.

The official notification states that government offices throughout Karnataka will remain closed on the general holidays, subject to arrangements for urgent work. It also separately provides a restricted-holiday list for state government employees.

How does the Karnataka holiday calendar 2026 work?

The Karnataka holiday calendar 2026 works through multiple categories. General holidays are officially declared for government offices, while restricted holidays give eligible state government employees optional leave subject to the applicable rules. Banks follow the relevant public-holiday framework and also observe regular weekly holidays.

This means that a festival appearing in a restricted-holiday list should not automatically be treated as a compulsory holiday for every employee, business or bank branch.

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Karnataka Government Holidays 2026

The Karnataka Government's notification dated 17 November 2025 lists the following 20 general holidays for 2026. The same notification states that Sundays, second Saturdays and fourth Saturdays are holidays. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The official notification also notes that Maha Shivaratri on 15 February, Maharshi Valmiki Jayanthi on 25 October, Kannada Rajyothsava on 1 November, Naraka Chaturdashi on 8 November and Mahalaya Amavasye on 10 October fall on Sundays or the second Saturday and therefore are not separately included in the general-holiday count. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

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Karnataka Bank Holidays 2026

Karnataka bank holidays 2026 include the public holidays applicable to banking operations in the state as well as regular second-Saturday, fourth-Saturday and Sunday holidays. The Karnataka notification also contains a public-holiday list under the explanation to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for holidays throughout Karnataka.

For bank customers, the practical point is simple: a bank branch can be closed even when online banking services remain available. Before visiting a branch for an important transaction, check the bank's latest branch holiday calendar.

The Reserve Bank of India provides banking information and a dedicated Bank Holidays section on its official website. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Are banks closed on every Karnataka government holiday?

Not necessarily. Bank holidays are determined under the applicable banking holiday framework, so readers should not assume that every date in a general government-office calendar automatically applies to every bank branch. Always verify the applicable bank calendar before planning an in-person transaction.

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Karnataka Restricted Holidays 2026

Karnataka restricted holidays 2026 are optional holidays available to eligible Karnataka State Government employees. The 2026 notification provides a separate restricted-holiday annexure and states that state government employees may utilise up to two restricted holidays during the year with prior permission from the competent authority. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

The restricted-holiday list is separate from the general-holiday list. Some dates that appear as restricted holidays in other government calendars may not have the same status under Karnataka's own state-government notification. Therefore, use the Karnataka-specific list when planning state government employee leave. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

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What is the difference between Karnataka government and bank holidays?

Karnataka government holidays primarily determine when government offices covered by the state notification are closed. Bank holidays follow the applicable banking holiday framework and include regular second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays. The two calendars overlap significantly but should not be treated as identical.

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Important Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 at a Glance

If you only need the major dates for planning, the following are among the most important Karnataka public holidays 2026.

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Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 Month-Wise

January 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 15 January – Uttarayana Punyakala, Makara Sankranti Festival.
• 26 January – Republic Day.
• 27 January – Sri Madvanavami, listed as a restricted holiday.

New Year falls on 1 January and appears in the Karnataka State Government restricted-holiday list rather than the 20 general holidays.

February 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 4 February – Shab-e-Barath – Restricted Holiday.
• 15 February – Maha Shivaratri – falls on Sunday and is therefore not separately included in the general-holiday count.

March 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 2 March – Holi Festival – Restricted Holiday.
• 17 March – Shab-e-Qadar – Restricted Holiday.
• 19 March – Ugadi Festival – General Holiday.
• 20 March – Jumat-Ul-Wida – Restricted Holiday.
• 21 March – Khutub-E-Ramzan – General Holiday.
• 23 March – Devara Daseemaiah Jayanthi – Restricted Holiday.
• 27 March – Sri Ramanavami – Restricted Holiday.
• 31 March – Mahaveera Jayanthi – General Holiday.

April 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 3 April – Good Friday – General Holiday.
• 4 April – Holy Saturday – Restricted Holiday.
• 14 April – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi – General Holiday.
• 20 April – Basava Jayanthi and Akshaya Tritiya – General Holiday.
• 21 April – Sri Shankarayacharya Jayanthi – Restricted Holiday.
• 22 April – Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanthi – Restricted Holiday.

May 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 1 May – May Day – General Holiday.
• 28 May – Bakrid – General Holiday.

June 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 26 June – Last Day of Moharam – General Holiday.

July 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

The Karnataka State Government's 2026 general-holiday notification does not list a general public holiday in July. Rath Yatra is not included in the Karnataka State Government restricted-holiday annexure, although it appears in some Central Government holiday calendars.

August 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 15 August – Independence Day – General Holiday.
• 21 August – Varamahalakshmi Vrata – Restricted Holiday.
• 26 August – Eid-Milad – General Holiday.
• 27 August – Yajur Upakarma – Restricted Holiday.
• 28 August – Brahma Shri Narayana Guru Jayanthi and Raksha Bandhan – Restricted Holiday.

September 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 4 September – Sri Krishna Janmashtami – Restricted Holiday.
• 8 September – Kanya Mariyamma Jayanthi – Restricted Holiday.
• 14 September – Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata – General Holiday.
• 17 September – Vishwakarma Jayanthi – Restricted Holiday.
• 25 September – Ananta Padmanabha Vrata – Restricted Holiday.

October 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 2 October – Gandhi Jayanthi – General Holiday.
• 10 October – Mahalaya Amavasye – falls on the second Saturday.
• 20 October – Mahanavami and Ayudhapooja – General Holiday.
• 21 October – Vijayadasami – General Holiday.
• 25 October – Maharshi Valmiki Jayanthi – falls on Sunday and is not separately included in the general-holiday count.

November 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 1 November – Kannada Rajyothsava – falls on Sunday.
• 8 November – Naraka Chaturdashi – falls on Sunday.
• 10 November – Balipadyami and Deepavali – General Holiday.
• 24 November – Guru Nanak Jayanthi – Restricted Holiday.
• 26 November – Huttari Festival – Restricted Holiday.
• 27 November – Kanakadasa Jayanthi – General Holiday.

December 2026 Holidays in Karnataka

• 24 December – Christmas Eve – Restricted Holiday.
• 25 December – Christmas – General Holiday.

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Karnataka Government Holidays That Fall on Weekends

Several Karnataka holidays in 2026 fall on Sundays or Saturdays. The official notification specifically excludes some such dates from the general-holiday count because they already coincide with regular weekly holidays.

This does not necessarily mean that the festivals are unimportant. It means they are not added as separate additional working-day closures in the general-holiday notification. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

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Does Karnataka have a holiday on Kannada Rajyotsava?

Kannada Rajyotsava falls on 1 November 2026, which is a Sunday. The Karnataka Government notification specifically notes that Kannada Rajyothsava is not separately included in the general-holiday list because it falls on Sunday. This should be considered when interpreting the annual holiday count.

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Is Ganesh Chaturthi a Karnataka public holiday in 2026?

Yes. Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, associated with Ganesh Chaturthi, falls on Monday, 14 September 2026 and is included as a general holiday in Karnataka. The restricted-holiday notification notes that Swarna Gowri Vrata also falls on the same date but is not separately added because Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata is already a general holiday. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

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Is Dasara a holiday in Karnataka in 2026?

Yes. Mahanavami and Ayudhapooja fall on 20 October 2026, while Vijayadasami falls on 21 October 2026. Both dates are included as general holidays in the Karnataka Government's 2026 notification, making this an important holiday period for offices and businesses across the state.

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Karnataka Holiday Planning Checklist for 2026

Use the following checklist before planning an office visit, bank transaction, business activity, travel or leave around a Karnataka holiday.

• Check the exact date and day of the holiday.
• Confirm whether it is a general holiday or restricted holiday.
• Check whether the date falls on a Sunday or Saturday.
• For banks, verify the applicable bank branch holiday calendar.
• For private employment, check your company's annual holiday list.
• For schools, check the institution's academic calendar.
• Check for later government notifications or revisions.
• For Muslim religious holidays, verify any revised observance date announced by the government.
• Keep online banking or digital services as an alternative where appropriate.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Karnataka Holiday List 2026

Mistake 1: Counting every festival as an additional holiday

Some festivals fall on Sundays or second/fourth Saturdays. The Karnataka notification specifically excludes certain such dates from the general-holiday count.

Mistake 2: Treating restricted holidays as compulsory holidays

Restricted holidays are optional and subject to applicable employee rules. They should not be treated as automatic office closures.

Mistake 3: Assuming banks follow exactly the same list as government offices

Bank holidays operate under a separate banking framework. Always check the applicable bank calendar before visiting a branch.

Mistake 4: Assuming a private company must close on every government holiday

Private employers may maintain their own holiday calendars subject to applicable employment and labour requirements. Employees should follow their company's approved annual holiday list.

Mistake 5: Using an old holiday calendar

Festival dates and government holiday arrangements can be modified or clarified. Always use the latest applicable notification for important planning.

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Can Karnataka Government Holidays Change During 2026?

Yes, certain holiday arrangements can be clarified or changed through subsequent official notifications. The Karnataka Government's 2026 notification itself includes a special provision concerning Muslim festival dates: if a notified festival does not fall on the notified date, eligible Muslim government employees may be granted a holiday on the actual observance date under the stated conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

For this reason, this article should be used as a practical calendar and planning reference, while important government-office visits should be confirmed against the latest official notification.

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Special Holidays and Local Holidays in Karnataka

Karnataka can also have local holidays for specific districts or occasions. The 2026 notification provides local holidays for Kodagu District, including Kail Muhuruth and Huthri-related arrangements. These local holidays should not automatically be treated as statewide holidays.

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Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 for Employees

Employees should use their employer's approved holiday calendar together with the Karnataka Government holiday list. Government employees may be governed by the state notification, while private-sector employees may receive a different set of holidays according to their employer's policy and applicable law.

Restricted holidays can be particularly useful for employees who want to observe a festival or cultural occasion that is not included in the general holiday list.

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Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 for Banks and Financial Work

If you need to deposit documents, visit a bank branch, submit a cheque, collect a physical instrument or complete another branch-based banking activity, check the bank's working-day calendar first.

Digital banking services such as internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and certain ATM services can remain available outside branch working hours, but availability and processing times can vary by service.

The RBI maintains official banking information, including a Bank Holidays section, which is useful for verifying banking-related information. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

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Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 and Long Weekend Planning

The 2026 calendar offers several useful opportunities for planning leave around weekends. For example, Republic Day falls on Monday, 26 January, while Good Friday falls on Friday, 3 April. May Day falls on Friday, 1 May, and Gandhi Jayanthi falls on Friday, 2 October.

However, a long weekend depends on whether the Saturday or Sunday is already a working or non-working day for your organisation. Employees should therefore combine the government holiday list with their employer's leave policy before making travel bookings.

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Download Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 Calendar

A downloadable Karnataka public holidays 2026 calendar can make annual planning easier. You can save the general-holiday table from this page as a PDF or print it for office, personal or family planning.

When creating your downloadable version, it is useful to separate the calendar into three sections: General Holidays, Restricted Holidays and Bank/Weekly Holidays. This prevents readers from confusing optional holidays with compulsory closures.

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Official Sources for Karnataka Holiday Information

For high-value planning, always cross-check holiday information against government and banking authorities. The Karnataka holiday notification is the most important source for Karnataka State Government general and restricted holidays.

• Government of Karnataka – Official state government portal and source for government information and notifications.
• Karnataka Government Notifications and Orders – Government portal providing access to Karnataka and Central notifications. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Reserve Bank of India – Official banking authority and useful source for bank-related information and holiday references. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• National Portal of India – Government information portal useful for national and state-related public information.

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Related State-Wise Public Holiday Calendars

If you are comparing Karnataka holidays with other major Indian states, the following state-specific guides are part of the same public-holiday content cluster.

• List of Public Holidays in India 2026 – Main hub covering national, state-wise, bank, government and restricted holidays.
• Maharashtra Public Holidays 2026 – Maharashtra government, bank and optional holiday calendar.
• Gujarat Public Holidays 2026 – Gujarat government and bank holiday information.
• Rajasthan Public Holidays 2026 – Rajasthan government and bank holiday list.
• Delhi Public Holidays 2026 – Delhi gazetted, restricted and bank holiday information.
• Haryana Public Holidays 2026 – Haryana government and bank holiday calendar.
• Punjab Public Holidays 2026 – Punjab government, bank and festival holidays.
• Uttar Pradesh Public Holidays 2026 – UP government and bank holiday information.
• Madhya Pradesh Public Holidays 2026 – MP government and bank holiday calendar.
• Telangana Public Holidays 2026 – Telangana government and bank holiday list.
• Andhra Pradesh Public Holidays 2026 – Andhra Pradesh government and bank holiday calendar.

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Complete Public Holidays in India 2026

For a complete national overview, visit the List of Public Holidays in India 2026. The hub page provides the broader public holiday calendar and connects readers to state-specific holiday guides.

This Karnataka page should remain focused on Karnataka so that the hub can target broad India-wide searches while this article targets Karnataka-specific searches.

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Conclusion

Karnataka public holidays 2026 include important national, religious and state-specific occasions such as Makara Sankranti, Republic Day, Ugadi, Mahaveera Jayanthi, Good Friday, Ambedkar Jayanthi, Basava Jayanthi, May Day, Bakrid, Independence Day, Eid-Milad, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gandhi Jayanthi, Mahanavami, Vijayadasami, Deepavali, Kanakadasa Jayanthi and Christmas.

The Karnataka Government's 2026 notification lists 20 general holidays and separately provides restricted holidays for eligible state government employees. Several important festivals fall on Sundays or Saturdays and are therefore not counted as additional general-holiday closures.

For bank transactions, always verify the applicable bank holiday calendar because banking holidays should not automatically be assumed to be identical to every government-office holiday.

For the complete national calendar and other state-specific holiday guides, visit the List of Public Holidays in India 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)