Post Office Holidays in India: National, State-Wise & Regional List in 2026

Planning a post office visit for a Speed Post booking, PPF deposit, or savings account withdrawal, only to find the shutters down, is a frustration most of us know well. Since India Post operates as a Central Government department, its holiday calendar works differently from your bank's or your state government office's, and that difference confuses lakhs of visitors every year. This guide breaks down every date post offices stay closed in 2026: the gazetted holidays observed across all of India, the regional holidays specific to your state's postal circle, and the weekly closure rules, so you never make a wasted trip again.

Post Office Holidays - Quick Info

Managing your mail dispatches and savings accounts requires an accurate understanding of the weekly postal calendar. This reference chart outlines the operational rules, working windows, and digital service parameters enforced nationwide.

Post Office Holiday List 2026

The central government issues a standardized schedule detailing mandatory closures for the year. These are the gazetted holidays on which all post offices across India are required to close, ensuring uniform operational terms nationwide. Please note that restricted holidays vary by location and employee choice.

Gazetted Holidays 2026(All Post Offices Closed Nationwide)

List of Regional & State-wise Post Office Holidays in India (2026)

Planning a visit to your nearest post office? Since public holidays vary across states and union territories, checking your local holiday calendar can help you avoid unnecessary trips. Below is the state-wise Post Office Holiday List for 2026, including national holidays, state-specific festivals, and official holidays observed by India Post offices.

Post Office Holidays in Andhra Pradesh (2026)

Post offices in Andhra Pradesh observe 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus local holidays declared for the state, led by Makar Sankranti, Ugadi, and Vinayaka Chavithi. State government holidays like May Day or Ambedkar Jayanti do not apply, and post offices stay open on those days.

Post Office Holidays in Telangana (2026)

Telangana post offices follow the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays along with regional postal holidays: Sankranti, Ugadi, and Vinayaka Chavithi. Telangana Formation Day, Bonalu, and Bathukamma are state government holidays and post offices remain open on those days.

Post Office Holidays in Karnataka (2026)

Karnataka post offices close on the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Makar Sankranti, Ugadi, and Ganesh Chaturthi. Kannada Rajyotsava, Basava Jayanti, Kanakadasa Jayanti, and Mahalaya Amavasya are state government holidays, so post offices stay open on those days.

Post Office Holidays in Tamil Nadu (2026)

Tamil Nadu post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Pongal, Tamil New Year, Krishna Jayanthi, and Vinayaka Chaturthi. Thiruvalluvar Day, Uzhavar Thirunal, and Thaipoosam are state government holidays, so post offices stay open on those days.

Post Office Holidays in Kerala (2026)

Kerala post offices close on the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus Kerala-specific postal holidays for Vishu and Onam. In 2026 Milad-un-Nabi and First Onam fall on the same day, 25 August.

Post Office Holidays in Maharashtra (2026)

Maharashtra post offices (Mumbai Circle) observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Gudi Padwa, and Ganesh Chaturthi. Shivaji Jayanti (19 February) and Maharashtra Day (1 May) are state government holidays, though 1 May 2026 is already a postal holiday for Buddha Purnima.

Post Office Holidays in Goa (2026)

Goa falls under the Maharashtra Postal Circle, so post offices in Goa follow the same holiday schedule as Maharashtra. Goa-specific state holidays like Goa Liberation Day (19 December) apply to state offices only, and post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Gujarat (2026)

Gujarat post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Uttarayan, Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. Gujarat Day (1 May) coincides with Buddha Purnima in 2026, and Vikram Samvat New Year (9 November) is a state and bank holiday where post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Rajasthan (2026)

Rajasthan post offices follow the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. State-only days like Rajasthan Diwas (30 March), Gangaur, and Teej apply to state offices, and post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Madhya Pradesh (2026)

Madhya Pradesh post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. MP Foundation Day (1 November) is a state observance, and post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Chhattisgarh (2026)

Chhattisgarh post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava (1 November), Hareli, and Teeja are state government holidays, and post offices stay open on those days.

Post Office Holidays in Uttar Pradesh (2026)

UP post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, Janmashtami, and Chhath. The main Chhath evening Arghya (15 November) falls on a Sunday in 2026, so the working-day holiday is Monday 16 November for the morning Arghya.

Post Office Holidays in Uttarakhand (2026)

Uttarakhand post offices follow the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. Harela and other state observances apply to state offices only, and post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Bihar (2026)

Bihar post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Makar Sankranti, Holi, Ram Navami, and Chhath. Bihar Diwas (22 March) falls on a Sunday in 2026, and it is a state holiday in any case, so no postal working day is affected.

Post Office Holidays in Jharkhand (2026)

Jharkhand post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Vasant Panchami, Holi, and Chhath. Sarhul, Karma Puja, and Jharkhand Foundation Day (15 November, a Sunday in 2026) are state observances where post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in West Bengal (2026)

West Bengal post offices (Kolkata Circle) observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Saraswati Puja, Dolyatra, and additional Durga Puja days. In 2026 Saraswati Puja falls on the same day as Netaji Jayanti (23 January), Maha Ashtami falls on a Sunday (18 October), and Kali Puja coincides with Diwali (8 November).

Post Office Holidays in Sikkim (2026)

Sikkim is served by the West Bengal Postal Circle, so post offices in Sikkim follow the Kolkata Circle schedule above. Sikkim state holidays like Losar, Saga Dawa, and Pang Lhabsol apply to state offices only, and post offices stay open on those days.

Post Office Holidays in Odisha (2026)

Odisha post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Dola Purnima, Rath Yatra, and an additional Dussehra day. Utkal Divas (1 April), Pana Sankranti (14 April), Raja Sankranti (15 June), and Nuakhai are state government holidays where post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Assam (2026)

Assam post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Magh Bihu, Bohag Bihu, and a Durga Puja additional day. Srimanta Sankardeva Tithi and Janmotsav (12 and 21 September) are state observances where post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Punjab and Chandigarh (2026)

Punjab Circle post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Vaisakhi, and Janmashtami. Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Lohri, and Guru Ravidas Jayanti are state/restricted holidays where post offices generally stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Haryana (2026)

Haryana post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. Haryana Day (1 November, a Sunday in 2026) is a state observance where post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Himachal Pradesh (2026)

Himachal Pradesh post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays: Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. Himachal Day (15 April) and Statehood Day (25 January, a Sunday in 2026) are state observances where post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (2026)

J&K Circle post offices observe the 14 compulsory Central Government gazetted holidays plus regional postal holidays such as Holi and Vaisakhi. Maha Shivratri (Herath), a major Kashmiri observance, falls on Sunday 15 February in 2026, so no working day is lost for it.

Post Office Holidays in Delhi (2026)

Delhi Circle post offices follow the standard Central Government holiday schedule: 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus Holi, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami. This is the reference list against which all other circles add their local variations.

Post Office Holidays in Manipur (2026)

Manipur is served by the North East Postal Circle (HQ Shillong). Post offices observe the 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus regional days such as Yaoshang (Holi of Manipur) and Cheiraoba; verify final picks with the Shillong CGEWCC 2026 notification.

Post Office Holidays in Meghalaya (2026)

Meghalaya post offices (North East Circle, HQ Shillong) observe the 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus circle-declared local days. Shad Suk Mynsiem, Behdienkhlam, and Nongkrem Dance are state government holidays where post offices generally stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Mizoram (2026)

Mizoram post offices (North East Circle) observe the 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus circle-declared local days such as Chapchar Kut. Christmas-linked state holidays on 24 and 26 December apply to state offices; post offices are confirmed closed only on 25 December.

Post Office Holidays in Nagaland (2026)

Nagaland post offices (North East Circle) observe the 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus circle-declared local days. State holidays like Nagaland Statehood Day (1 December) and Hornbill Festival days apply to state offices; post offices stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Tripura (2026)

Tripura post offices (North East Circle) observe the 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus regional days linked to Bengali festivals such as Dolyatra and Durga Puja. Kharchi Puja and Garia Puja are state government holidays where post offices generally stay open.

Post Office Holidays in Arunachal Pradesh (2026)

Arunachal Pradesh post offices (North East Circle) observe the 14 compulsory gazetted holidays plus circle-declared local days. State festivals like Losar, Nyokum, and Solung are state government holidays where post offices generally stay open.

Is Post Office Open on Saturday?

Yes, post offices are open on ALL Saturdays, including the 2nd and 4th Saturday. The 2nd and 4th Saturday holiday rule applies to banks regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. India Post operates under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, and follows the central government holiday calendar rather than the RBI banking holiday calendar. This administrative distinction means that while commercial banks lock their doors on alternating weekends, your local mail branch remains active to serve the public.

Saturday working hours are typically shorter, running from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for most public financial counters and booking services. Although mail processing and sorting dispatches might continue internally until later in the evening, public-facing transaction windows close early. The only time a Saturday is a post office holiday is when a gazetted national or state public holiday falls on that specific Saturday.

Gazetted Holidays vs Restricted Holidays: What is the Difference?

Understanding the postal department's administrative framework helps consumers avoid unexpected counter closures. The annual calendar is split into two distinct operational tiers.

• Gazetted holidays: Mandatory closures declared by the central government; all post offices across India are closed. There are no counter services, physical mail deliveries, or retail financial transactions on these days. Examples include Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.
• Restricted holidays: Optional observances where employees can choose to avail of leave from a broader list. Individual post office branches remain open or closed depending on local staff availability and regional preferences. Examples include regional festivals or specific community religious observances.
• Rule of thumb: For gazetted holidays, assume the post office is closed. For restricted holidays, check your local circle notification or call your local branch to confirm operational status before visiting.

Post Office Holidays vs Bank Holidays: Key Differences

Many citizens assume that public utilities follow an identical operational manual. However, the postal network and commercial banking institutions operate under independent regulatory frameworks.

Commercial banks operate under the Negotiable Instruments Act, regulated by the RBI, which mandates complete branch closures on alternating weekends. The Department of Posts follows the union government framework, prioritizing public accessibility by keeping physical counters functional on all Saturdays.

Post Office Working Hours in India 2026

Operating schedules can vary depending on the size, location, and administrative category of the specific branch you intend to visit. Public-facing financial transaction windows conclude early to allow for internal books reconciliation.

• Head Post Offices (HPOs): Standard hours run from Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with public counter transactions closing at 4:00 PM. Saturday hours run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
• Sub Post Offices: Located in urban and semi-urban localities, these operate Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with half-day Saturday services concluding by 1:00 PM.
• Branch Post Offices (Rural): These branches operate on significantly reduced timelines to serve smaller rural communities, typically remaining open for just 4 to 5 hours daily, such as 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
• Saturday hours are generally half-day: Public counter services for financial deposits, passport verification, and parcel bookings conclude by 1:00 PM across most branches nationwide.
• Night Post Offices: Situated in select tier-1 metropolitan hubs, these specialized locations extend public counter service until 8:30 PM to handle urgent commercial mail dispatches.

What Services Are Available on Post Office Holidays?

A temporary branch closure does not mean the entire administrative ecosystem halts. While physical counters are locked, the digital tracking infrastructure and automated payment portals continuously manage consumer requirements.

Services Available on Holidays

• India Post ATMs: Standalone India Post ATMs remain operational on holidays, allowing customers to withdraw cash, check account balances, and complete eligible ATM transactions using their Post Office Savings Bank debit cards.
• Online Tracking: The India Post online tracking portal operates throughout holidays, enabling users to track Speed Post consignments, registered letters, parcels, and international shipments using their unique tracking numbers.
• Mobile Banking App: The India Post mobile banking app remains accessible on holidays, allowing customers to check account balances, transfer funds, view transaction history, and manage eligible banking services remotely.
• IPPB Application: The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) app continues operating during holidays, enabling users to perform IMPS and NEFT transfers, pay bills, and access digital banking services without visiting a branch.

Services NOT Available on Holidays

• Counter Bookings: Post office counters remain closed on holidays, so customers cannot book Speed Post articles, register parcels, purchase stamps, or send domestic and international money orders.
• Mail Delivery: Regular door-to-door delivery services are suspended on holidays, meaning postmen generally do not deliver letters, parcels, passports, or other postal articles to residential or business addresses.
• Savings Bank Windows: Savings Bank service counters remain closed, preventing customers from opening accounts, depositing or withdrawing cash, updating passbooks, or completing other branch-based banking transactions.
• Aadhaar Services: Aadhaar enrolment and update centers operating inside post offices remain closed on holidays, so new registrations, biometric updates, and demographic corrections cannot be processed.
• Passport Verification: Post Office Passport Seva Kendras do not conduct passport application appointments, document verification, or police verification-related services on Sundays and notified public holidays.

Pay Your Bills Without Visiting the Post Office

Waiting in long queues at post office counters to clear recurring monthly expenses can disrupt your entire day, especially when holidays shrink the working-day window. Digital payment platforms remove this dependency completely. With NoBroker Bill Payment, you can pay electricity, water, gas, insurance premiums, and other government dues online via BBPS, with no post office visit needed. The platform works 24x7, including all national and state holidays. And if you are visiting the post office for savings or financing needs, compare rates first: a NoBroker Home Loan gets you doorstep assistance and approvals from 15+ partner banks without a single branch queue.

Disclaimer: Holiday dates listed above are based on the Central Government gazetted holiday calendar and state postal circle notifications for 2026. Dates for festivals like Id-ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Muharram, and Milad-un-Nabi may change based on moon sighting, and regional holidays may vary by postal circle. Please confirm with your local post office or indiapost.gov.in before planning a visit.

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