India Long Weekends 2028
India produces 10 long weekends in 2028 — every break of three days or more that its public holidays actually create. The longest runs 4 days (May 5–8). All of these breaks come straight from the published holiday calendar.
India long weekends in 2028
Ram Navami
3 daysApr 1 – 3
Saturday to Monday. No leave needed — the first of three long weekends in April.
Mahavir Jayanti
3 daysApr 7 – 9
Friday holiday plus the weekend. No leave needed.
Good Friday
3 daysApr 14 – 16
Friday holiday plus the weekend — the third long weekend in April.
Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima
4 daysMay 5 – 8
A rare four-day break with no leave needed: Id-ul-Zuha on the Friday and Buddha Purnima on the Monday bookend the same weekend. The Eid date is tentative, though — a moon-sighting shift would move it off the Friday and break the run.
Milad-un-Nabi
4 daysAug 3 – 6
Thursday holiday (tentative) — take Friday, August 4 off for a 4-day break.
Independence Day
4 daysAug 12 – 15
Independence Day on Tuesday — take Monday, August 14 off for a 4-day break. Janmashtami falls inside, on Sunday, August 13.
Gandhi Jayanti
3 daysSep 30 – Oct 2
Monday holiday after the weekend. No leave needed — but take September 28–29 off and it links back to Dussehra (Wed Sep 27) for a 6-day break.
Diwali
4 daysOct 14 – 17
Diwali on Tuesday — take Monday, October 16 off for a 4-day break.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
4 daysNov 2 – 5
Thursday holiday — take Friday, November 3 off for a 4-day break.
Christmas
3 daysDec 23 – 25
Monday holiday after the weekend. No leave needed.
Interactive Leave & Bridge Days Planner
Select your country, year, and annual leave budget to calculate the highest-ROI vacation strategies. Bridge mid-week holidays into continuous mega-breaks.
44 Bridge Strategies Found
Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)
Aug 3 – 6•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Aug 4 to bridge Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Janmashtami (Vaishnava)
Aug 12 – 15•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Aug 14 to bridge Janmashtami (Vaishnava) with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Diwali (Deepavali)
Oct 14 – 17•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Oct 16 to bridge Diwali (Deepavali) with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Nov 2 – 5•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Nov 3 to bridge Guru Nanak Jayanti with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Ram Navami
Apr 1 – 9•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Apr 4 – 6 to connect Ram Navami into a 9-day continuous break.
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
Sep 27 – Oct 2•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Sep 28 – 29 to connect Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) into a 6-day continuous break.
Mahavir Jayanti
Apr 7 – 16•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Apr 10 – 13 to connect Mahavir Jayanti into a 10-day continuous break.
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
Apr 29 – May 8•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on May 1 – 4 to connect Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) into a 10-day continuous break.
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
May 5 – 14•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on May 9 – 12 to connect Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) into a 10-day continuous break.
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
Sep 23 – Oct 2•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Sep 25 – 26, Sep 28 – 29 to connect Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) into a 10-day continuous break.
Republic Day
Jan 22 – 26•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Jan 24 – 25 to connect Republic Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Republic Day
Jan 26 – 30•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Jan 27 – 28 to connect Republic Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
Sep 23 – 27•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Sep 25 – 26 to connect Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) into a 5-day continuous break.
Ram Navami
Apr 1 – 16•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Apr 4 – 6, Apr 10 – 13 to connect Ram Navami into a 16-day continuous break.
Republic Day
Jan 22 – 30•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jan 24 – 25, Jan 27 – 28 to connect Republic Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)
Jul 29 – Aug 6•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jul 31 – Aug 2, Aug 4 to connect Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) into a 9-day continuous break.
Janmashtami (Vaishnava)
Aug 12 – 20•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Aug 14, Aug 16 – 18 to connect Janmashtami (Vaishnava) into a 9-day continuous break.
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
Sep 30 – Oct 8•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 3 – 6 to connect Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti into a 9-day continuous break.
Diwali (Deepavali)
Oct 14 – 22•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 16, Oct 18 – 20 to connect Diwali (Deepavali) into a 9-day continuous break.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Oct 28 – Nov 5•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 30 – Nov 1, Nov 3 to connect Guru Nanak Jayanti into a 9-day continuous break.
Christmas Day
Dec 23 – 31•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Dec 26 – 29 to connect Christmas Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
Sep 27 – Oct 8•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Sep 28 – 29, Oct 3 – 6 to connect Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) into a 12-day continuous break.
Ram Navami
Mar 25 – Apr 3•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Mar 27 – 31 to connect Ram Navami into a 10-day continuous break.
Good Friday
Apr 14 – 23•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Apr 17 – 21 to connect Good Friday into a 10-day continuous break.
Christmas Day
Dec 16 – 25•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Dec 18 – 22 to connect Christmas Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)
Jul 29 – Aug 3•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Jul 31 – Aug 2 to connect Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) into a 6-day continuous break.
Independence Day
Aug 15 – 20•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Aug 16 – 18 to connect Independence Day into a 6-day continuous break.
Diwali (Deepavali)
Oct 17 – 22•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Oct 18 – 20 to connect Diwali (Deepavali) into a 6-day continuous break.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Oct 28 – Nov 2•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Oct 30 – Nov 1 to connect Guru Nanak Jayanti into a 6-day continuous break.
Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)
Aug 3 – 15•Total Vacation: 13 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Aug 4, Aug 7 – 11, Aug 14 to connect Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) into a 13-day continuous break.
Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)
Aug 3 – 13•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Aug 4, Aug 7 – 11 to connect Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) into a 11-day continuous break.
Janmashtami (Vaishnava)
Aug 5 – 15•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Aug 7 – 11, Aug 14 to connect Janmashtami (Vaishnava) into a 11-day continuous break.
Diwali (Deepavali)
Oct 7 – 17•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Oct 9 – 13, Oct 16 to connect Diwali (Deepavali) into a 11-day continuous break.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Nov 2 – 12•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Nov 3, Nov 6 – 10 to connect Guru Nanak Jayanti into a 11-day continuous break.
Id-ul-Fitr
Feb 19 – 27•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Feb 21 – 25 to connect Id-ul-Fitr into a 9-day continuous break.
Id-ul-Fitr
Feb 26 – Mar 5•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Feb 28 – Mar 3 to connect Id-ul-Fitr into a 9-day continuous break.
Holi
Mar 4 – 12•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Mar 6 – 10 to connect Holi into a 9-day continuous break.
Holi
Mar 11 – 19•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Mar 13 – 17 to connect Holi into a 9-day continuous break.
Muharram
May 27 – Jun 4•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on May 29 – Jun 2 to connect Muharram into a 9-day continuous break.
Muharram
Jun 3 – 11•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jun 5 – 9 to connect Muharram into a 9-day continuous break.
Janmashtami (Vaishnava)
Aug 5 – 13•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Aug 7 – 11 to connect Janmashtami (Vaishnava) into a 9-day continuous break.
Republic Day
Jan 15 – 26•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Jan 17 – 21, Jan 24 – 25 to connect Republic Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Republic Day
Jan 26 – Feb 6•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Jan 27 – 28, Jan 31 – Feb 4 to connect Republic Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
Sep 16 – 27•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Sep 18 – 22, Sep 25 – 26 to connect Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) into a 12-day continuous break.
Compliance Notice: Leave planning recommendations are calculated for vacation optimization. Taking annual leave is subject to your employment contract, employer approval, and local labor legislation.
The 10 long weekends of 2028
Ram Navami — Apr 1–3 (3 days); Mahavir Jayanti — Apr 7–9 (3 days); Good Friday — Apr 14–16 (3 days); Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima — May 5–8 (4 days); Milad-un-Nabi — Aug 3–6 (4 days); Independence Day — Aug 12–15 (4 days); Gandhi Jayanti — Sep 30 – Oct 2 (3 days); Diwali — Oct 14–17 (4 days); Guru Nanak Jayanti — Nov 2–5 (4 days); Christmas — Dec 23–25 (3 days)
Full list: Ram Navami (Apr 1–3) Mahavir Jayanti (Apr 7–9) Good Friday (Apr 14–16) Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima (May 5–8) Milad-un-Nabi (Aug 3–6) Independence Day (Aug 12–15) Gandhi Jayanti (Sep 30 – Oct 2) Diwali (Oct 14–17) Guru Nanak Jayanti (Nov 2–5) Christmas (Dec 23–25) — 10 consecutive-day breaks in total.
How India builds its long weekends
Long weekends come from public holidays landing next to weekends (or substitute days extending them). The table above lists only real calendar breaks — a 10-day count means 10 separate runs of consecutive days off.
How to plan around them
The 10 breaks above are the ones the calendar gives you for free. The longest (Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima, 4 days, May 5–8) is the best anchor for a longer trip; the others work well for short getaways. Check the linked year page for make-up workdays that may surround the longer breaks.
Official sources & data
- Department of Personnel and Training — official publisher of the annual holiday Office Memorandum (2028 list due mid-2027)Visit sourceDepartment of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- Holidays and Observances in India in 2028Visit sourcetimeanddate.com
- 2028 Indian Calendar for Indian Festivals and Indian Holidays (New Delhi)Visit sourceDrik Panchang
Frequently asked questions
How many long weekends does India have in 2028?
10 — every break of three consecutive days or more that India's public holidays create in 2028. The longest is Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima with 4 days off.
What is the longest long weekend in India in 2028?
Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima — 4 days (May 5–8).
Which public holidays create long weekends in India 2028?
Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Id-ul-Zuha & Buddha Purnima, Milad-un-Nabi, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Christmas. Each is listed above with its exact dates.
Does India have substitute days for weekend holidays?
No — India has no substitute-day rule, so holidays falling on a weekend are simply lost. The long weekends above come only from holidays that land next to weekends.
Are the 2028 long weekend dates confirmed?
Not yet — India's 2028 calendar is provisional until the official announcement. The dates above follow the published holiday rules and the usual calendar pattern, but Islamic holidays in particular are subject to moon sighting and may shift by a day. Check back after the official notice.