State government employees in West Bengal will have more than 150 non-working days in 2026, with an extended 12-day holiday during Durga Puja and several long festival breaks throughout the year.

According to the holiday list published by the state Finance Department, Durga Puja and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja together account for a 12-day stretch of holidays next year. Government employees have been granted leave on October 15, 16 and 17 for Chaturthi, Panchami and Sasthi. October 18, a Sunday, coincides with Maha Saptami. October 19, 20 and 21 will be holidays for Ashtami, Nabami and Dashami.

October 22, 23 and 24 have been declared as additional Puja holidays. Lakshmi Puja falls on October 25, also a Sunday, while October 26 has been marked as an additional holiday for Lakshmi Puja. In effect, government employees will have nearly half of October off.

In November too, employees will get more than 10 days of leave due to Kali Puja and Chhath.

However, in 2026, government staff will lose six festival holidays that fall on a Sunday. These include 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).

All employees get Saturdays and Sundays off.

In 2026, employees will receive 27 holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and 26 holidays under state government orders — a total of 53 days. With 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays in the year, the total number of non-working days crosses 150.

Santhali employees will also get a holiday on Hul Dibas on June 30.