The state government's Revenue and Disaster Management Department has published the official list of holidays for 2026, featuring 29 official holidays and several voluntary holidays for its employees.
The official holidays begin with Makar Sankranti (January 14) and cover major festivals like Utkal Day (April 1), Rath Yatra (July 16), and Vijayadashami (October 20). The list also includes nine voluntary holidays, such as Guru Gobind Singh's birthday (January 6) and Prathamastami (December 1).
However, government employees face a loss of six potential holidays as five major dates—Mahashivaratri, Pahili Raja, Mahasthami, Kumar Purnima, and Diwali—fall on Sundays. Additionally, Mahalaya coincides with a second Saturday, reducing the number of effective days off.