West Bengal Revises Bakrid Holiday Notification, Declares May 28 as Official Public Holiday

Kolkata, May 2026 : The West Bengal government on Saturday issued a revised notification declaring May 28, 2026, as the official public holiday for Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid), modifying its earlier order that had announced a two-day holiday on May 26 and May 27.

The fresh notification, issued by the state Finance Department, stated that the earlier holiday schedule has been amended after confirmation that Bakrid will now be observed on May 28.

“In terms of Notification No. 4188-F(P2) dated 27 November, 2025, 26 May, 2026 (Tuesday) and 27 May, 2026 (Wednesday) were declared as public holidays on account of the Day before Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) and Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) respectively. Now, information has been received that Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) will be observed on 28 May, 2026 (Thursday). Accordingly, in partial modification of the aforesaid notification, the Governor is pleased to declare 28 May, 2026 as a public holiday under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881,” the notification said.

Following this revision, the earlier declared holidays on May 26 and May 27 have been cancelled. The government further clarified that both days will now be treated as regular working days for all offices, institutions, and establishments covered under the earlier order.

“Consequent upon the above, the holidays notified earlier for 26 May, 2026 and 27 May, 2026 are hereby cancelled. Accordingly, these dates will be working days,” the notification added.

The change in schedule has once again brought attention to West Bengal’s evolving holiday policy. Since the Trinamool Congress came to power in 2011 after ending the 34-year-long Left Front rule, the state’s list of public holidays has undergone several revisions, with multiple new holidays being added over the years.

While the expansion of holidays was widely noted in earlier years, the latest curtailment of Bakrid holidays has sparked fresh discussions in administrative and political circles about whether similar changes could be introduced for other festivals or official holidays in the future.

In a separate development earlier this month, the state government reportedly revised the schedule of summer vacations in state-run schools, extending the duration of the break, further highlighting ongoing adjustments in administrative calendars.

Meanwhile, in view of the upcoming Bakrid festival, the West Bengal government has directed police authorities across the state to remain on alert and ensure peaceful celebrations. Security arrangements are expected to be strengthened in sensitive areas, with instructions issued to maintain communal harmony and prevent any untoward incidents during the festival period.

Officials said coordination between district administrations and law enforcement agencies has been intensified to ensure smooth conduct of religious observances across urban and rural regions.

With the revised notification now in place, government offices and institutions will function normally on May 26 and May 27, while May 28 will be observed as the sole public holiday for Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) across the state.