Holiday List in Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2026

Holidays in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands feel so different because here, distance is never an abstract thing. When offices shut, ships don't tour as frequently, supply schedules thin out, and daily routines shrink. A holiday isn't just time off; it reshapes logistics. That reality keeps the official calendar practical rather than expansive.

The administration relies on a narrow set of clearly notified holidays. National observances anchor the entire year. A handful of religious festivals appear; they consistently affect public functioning across islands. What the calendar doesn't attempt is cultural completeness. Many communities observe festivals socially, even when the date does not come with an official closure.

Port Blair sets the administrative tone while more disconnected islands often have a longer slowdown around the same holiday, not because of policy, but because movement becomes harder. The calendar signals when the system pauses. How long that pause lasts varies by geography.

The list below represents common notified and institutionally followed holidays in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

List of National, Public, and Religious Holidays in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for 2026

Dates for religious festivals follow lunar calendars and reflect commonly observed 2026 calculations.

How Holidays Function in the Islands

Government offices and public institutions observe this list more or less. Closures are more widespread and unilateral on national holidays. Major religious festivals cause logistics and transport to become tricky to resume once the holidays are over on those days of observance.

Private employers, as usual, observe national holidays and a limited number of religious festivals. Tourism-linked businesses often stay operational, adjusting staffing rather than shutting completely, as it forms the breadwinning industry for the entire Union Territory. Banks follow RBI notifications, which largely overlap with this list too.

Also Read: Holiday List in Nagaland 2026

FAQs

1. Does the Union Territory observe fewer holidays than mainland states?

Yes. The official list prioritises administrative reliability over festival volume.

2. Are religious festivals celebrated even if they are not holidays?

Often, yes. Social observance is broader than the official calendar.

3. Do all islands observe holidays the same way?

Administratively, yes. In practice, remoteness affects how quickly work resumes.

4. Are private companies required to follow this list?

No. Private employers set their own holiday policies.

5. Are banks closed on all these days?

Banks follow RBI-designated holidays, which may differ slightly year to year.