Kerala Government Notifies Public and Negotiable Instruments Act Holidays for 2026

The Government of Kerala, through two distinct notifications issued by its General Administration (Co-ordination) Department, formally declared the schedule of public holidays for the calendar year 2026. Notification G. O. (P) No. 14/2025/GAD, dated October 31, 2025, outlined the days to be observed as public holidays for all public offices operating under the Government of Kerala. Concurrently, Notification G. O. (P) No. 15/2025/GAD, also dated October 31, 2025, specified public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, for the same period. Both notifications came into force upon their publication in the Official Gazette on October 31, 2025, providing a comprehensive holiday schedule for the upcoming year.

The first notification, G. O. (P) No. 14/2025/GAD, enumerated 22 specific public holidays, including Mannam Jayanthi, Republic Day, Id-ul-Fitr, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanthi, Vishu, May Day, Id-ul-Ad'ha, Muharram, Karkadaka Vavu, Independence Day, First Onam/Milad-i-Sherif, Thiruvonam, Third Onam, Fourth Onam/Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi/Ayyankali Jayanthi, Sreekrishna Jayanthi, Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day, Gandhi Jayanthi, Mahanavami, Vijayadasami, and Christmas. In addition to these, all Sundays and the second Saturdays of each English month were designated as closed holidays. Certain holidays, such as Mahasivarathri, Easter, and Deepavali, which fell on Sundays in 2026, were noted to be excluded from the list of additional public holidays. The notification also specified restricted holidays for particular communities, allowing Government, Quasi-Government, and Public Sector Undertaking employees and teachers belonging to the Nadar, Brahmin, and Vishwakarma communities to avail leave on occasions like Ayya Vaikunda Swami Jayanthi, Avani Avittom, and Vishwakarma Day, respectively. Furthermore, a holiday was declared for all State Government offices, including Public Sector Undertakings functioning in New Delhi, on March 4, 2026, on account of Holi.

The second notification, G. O. (P) No. 15/2025/GAD, specifically addressed holidays relevant to financial transactions and institutions. It declared 20 days as public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (a central act governing instruments like cheques, promissory notes, and bills of exchange), in addition to Sundays. This list largely mirrored the general public holidays but notably included April 1, 2026, for the annual closing of accounts of Commercial and Co-operative banks. Holidays such as Mahasivarathri, Easter, and Deepavali, falling on Sundays, were similarly noted as not requiring separate declaration under this notification, with bank branches working on these days observing them as holidays. Both notifications clarified that holidays for festivals like Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Ad'ha, and Milad-i-Sherif are subject to change based on the appearance of the moon.

The primary legislative intent behind these notifications was to establish a clear and predictable framework for public holidays across Kerala for the year 2026, ensuring operational consistency for government functions and financial services. This proactive declaration aims to prevent disruptions and provide ample notice to both the public and various institutions. The earlier legal position, particularly concerning financial instruments, is rooted in the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, read in conjunction with a 1957 notification from the Government of India. The current notifications build upon this framework, specifically tailoring it to the state's calendar and cultural observances. The legislation provided: “the Government of Kerala are hereby pleased to declare that in addition to Sundays, expressly defined as Public Holidays in the said explanation, the following days shall be Public Holidays Under Negotiable Instruments Act in Kerala for the Calendar year 2026.” This declaration addresses the statutory requirement to formally notify days when financial institutions, such as banks, would remain closed, thereby impacting transactions and due dates for negotiable instruments.

By distinguishing between general public holidays for government offices and those specifically under the Negotiable Instruments Act, the notifications address potential statutory gaps and ensure that the unique requirements of the financial sector are met. For instance, the inclusion of "Annual closing of accounts of Commercial and Co-operative banks" as a specific holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act highlights the practical considerations for financial operations. Furthermore, the provision for restricted holidays acknowledges the diverse cultural and religious landscape of Kerala, allowing employees from specific communities to observe their significant festivals without impacting the general holiday schedule. The notifications also clarify that holidays for institutions governed by labour laws, such as those under the Industrial Disputes Act, Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, and Minimum Wages Act, would continue to be regulated by the Kerala Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1958, thus maintaining the existing statutory framework for industrial and commercial establishments. This comprehensive approach ensures that various sectors, from government administration to banking and industrial operations, have a clear understanding of their holiday obligations and entitlements for the upcoming year.

Keywords: Kerala, Public Holidays, 2026, Government Offices, Negotiable Instruments Act, Banks, Restricted Holidays, Notification, State Government Geo Tags: India, Kerala District: Not Applicable