Working Hours 2026 - India
Complete guide to working hours, public holidays, and annual leave in India for 2026
Working Hours and Leave in India 2026
Standard Work Week
- 8 hours per day
- 5 days per week
- 40 hours per week
The Factories Act 1948 (s.51) limits working time to 9 hours per day and 48 hours per week for factory workers. Working hours for other sectors are governed by industry-specific legislation and may vary by state.
Annual Leave Entitlement
12 - 15 days
12-15 days earned leave (varies by state). Plus casual leave and sick leave.
Monthly Averages
- 21.3 working days/month
- 170.7 working hours/month
Monthly Working Hours Goals 2026
Expected working hours per month based on 8-hour workday, excluding weekends and public holidays.
| Month | Working Days | Monthly Goal |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 21 | 168.00 |
| February 2026 | 20 | 160.00 |
| March 2026 | 22 | 176.00 |
| April 2026 | 20 | 160.00 |
| May 2026 | 21 | 168.00 |
| June 2026 | 22 | 176.00 |
| July 2026 | 23 | 184.00 |
| August 2026 | 21 | 168.00 |
| September 2026 | 22 | 176.00 |
| October 2026 | 21 | 168.00 |
| November 2026 | 21 | 168.00 |
| December 2026 | 22 | 176.00 |
| Total | 256 | 2,048.00 |
Public Holidays in India 2026
India has 6 public holidays in 2026, with 5 falling on weekdays. See full public holidays list
Understanding Holiday Types
Different countries use different terminology for non-working days. Here is what each term means for workforce planning.
Public Holidays
Official days off recognized by a country’s government. Most employees are entitled to paid leave, and businesses may close or operate with reduced staff.
Federal Holidays
Holidays established by a national government, primarily affecting government offices and federally-regulated employers. Private companies may choose whether to observe them.
Bank Holidays
Days when banks and financial institutions are closed. In the UK, this term is synonymous with public holidays. Important for payroll processing and payment schedules.
Observances
Notable dates that are not official days off. Examples include Earth Day or Mother’s Day. These do not affect work schedules unless an employer chooses to recognize them.
| Date | Day | Holiday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | |
| Fri, Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday | |
| Tue, Apr 14 | Tuesday | Ambedkar Jayanti | |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | Weekend |
| Fri, Oct 2 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
Turn working days into tracked hours
Free time tracking for teams. Log hours against projects, approve timesheets, and export reports for invoicing.