August 2026 brings several important national and religious holidays across India, offering students, employees and families an opportunity to celebrate festivals and observe public holidays. The month includes Independence Day, Milad-un-Nabi and Raksha Bandhan, along with several state-specific festivals that will result in bank closures in different parts of the country.
While schools, banks and government offices are expected to remain closed on major public holidays, the exact schedule may vary depending on state government notifications and institutional calendars.
Major holidays in August 2026
The three key holidays during the month are:
| Date | Day | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| August 26, 2026 | Wednesday | Milad-un-Nabi |
| August 28, 2026 | Friday | Raksha Bandhan |
National holiday in August 2026
India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, 2026. As a national holiday, government offices, banks, schools and most educational institutions across the country are expected to remain closed. The day is marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes and patriotic events.
Milad-un-Nabi and Raksha Bandhan
Milad-un-Nabi will be observed on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, commemorating the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. The festival is observed through prayers and religious gatherings, with public holidays notified in many states.
Raksha Bandhan falls on Friday, August 28, 2026. The festival celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters and is observed across many parts of India. Schools, banks and government offices may remain closed in several states, depending on local notifications.
State-wise bank holidays in August 2026
Apart from national holidays, banks will remain closed in selected states on the following dates:
- August 4 (Tuesday): Ker Puja – Tripura
- August 8 (Saturday): Tendong Lho Rum Faat – Sikkim
- August 13 (Thursday): Patriot's Day – Manipur
- August 15 (Saturday): Independence Day – Nationwide
- August 19 (Wednesday): Birthday of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur – Tripura
- August 25 (Tuesday): Milad-un-Nabi / First Onam / Milad-i-Sherif – Kerala and Andhra Pradesh
- August 26 (Wednesday): Id-E-Milad / Baravafat / Milad-un-Nabi / Thiruvonam – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala
- August 28 (Friday): Raksha Bandhan, Pang-Lhabsol, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi, Ayyankali Jayanthi and related observances – Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh
Holiday schedules may differ
Although these are the major public holidays for August 2026, schools, colleges, banks and government offices may also observe additional regional holidays depending on state government notifications.
Students are advised to check their school calendars, while employees and customers should refer to notifications issued by their respective organisations and banks before planning travel or official work during the month.
