Digiparvat – A wave of excitement has swept across social media this week regarding a potential public holiday on February 18, 2026. With whispers of an “extra long weekend” and travel planners buzzing, millions of Indians are eager to know: Did your state get lucky?
After cross-verifying official state portals and central government circulars, Digiparvat brings you the ground truth. While February 18 is indeed a public holiday in several other countries, the status within India is highly state-specific.
Here is your comprehensive, state-by-state breakdown to help you plan your leaves without relying on fake forwards.
The Reality Check: Is Feb 18 a National Holiday?
No. As per the calendar published by the National Portal of India and the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, February 18, 2026, is not listed as a Gazetted Holiday for Central Government offices .
The confusion likely arose from two sources:
- Hong Kong & Taiwan Offices: February 18 is the second day of Lunar New Year, declared a public holiday in Hong Kong and by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office .
- Indian Consulate, Guangzhou: The Consulate General of India in China has declared February 18, 2026, as a holiday for its own staff in observance of Chinese New Year. This does not apply to domestic India .
However, before you log off from work, check this list. You might still get the day off depending on where you live.
Who Is Actually Getting a Holiday on Feb 18?
Only one Indian state has officially listed February 18, 2026, in its holiday calendar:
| State/Region | Status for Feb 18, 2026 | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | ❌ No Holiday | Konkan Divisional Commissioner |
| Telangana | ❌ No Holiday | Telangana State Portal |
| Central Govt | ❌ No Holiday | India.gov.in |
| Delhi/Karnataka/TN | ⚠️ Not Listed | N/A |
Wait. So who is getting the holiday?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti – Thursday, February 19, 2026 .
If you were hoping for a break on the 18th, here is the nuance: Maharashtra observes a public holiday on February 19. Unless your organization has specifically declared a bonus day on the 18th, Wednesday, Feb 18 is a regular working day in Maharashtra.
Telangana observes Mahashivratri on February 15, but no holiday on the 18th .
🇰🇼 But Wait… Someone Is Getting a 4-Day Weekend!
While India works on February 18, Kuwait just declared a massive extension of their National Day holidays.
Kuwait has officially announced Wednesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 26 as public holidays for National Day and Liberation Day. When combined with their Friday-Saturday weekend, Kuwaiti public sector employees will enjoy a 4-day break .
For Indian travelers working in the Gulf or planning a trip, this is a massive opportunity for family reunions.
So, Is There ANY Long Weekend in February 2026?
Yes! But it revolves around Mahashivratri and the Holi bridge.
According to the India Today 2026 Travel Planner, here is what February/March actually looks like :
- Mahashivratri: Sunday, February 15 (No additional leave needed for weekend travel).
- Holi: Tuesday, March 3.
- The “Bridge”: February 28 (Saturday) to March 3 (Tuesday). Take one day off (Monday, March 2) , and you get a 5-day vacation.
Verdict: The real long weekend in Q1 2026 is not Feb 18, but the Holi corridor.
How to Verify Future Holiday Announcements
At Digiparvat, we recommend readers avoid WhatsApp University for holiday news.
Always verify via:
- State Government Portals (Like divcomkonkan.gov.in or telangana.gov.in) .
- India.gov.in – Holiday Calendar .
- Official Gazette Notifications.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is February 18, 2026, a Central Government holiday?
No. There is no Gazetted Holiday listed by the Ministry of Personnel for this date .
Q2. Is February 18 a bank holiday in India?
Generally, no. Banks follow the gazetted holiday list. However, regional banks may close for local festivals, but Feb 18 is not a major festival in any 2026 state calendar reviewed.
Q3. Why is the Indian Consulate in Guangzhou closed on Feb 18?
They are closed in observance of Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) . This is a holiday for the host country, not an Indian national holiday .
Q4. Is there any chance the government declares a sudden holiday on Feb 18?
Highly unlikely. Public holidays for 2026 were finalized and published in late 2025. Spontaneous declarations are rare unless related to mourning or urgent election announcements.
Q5. Which is the next REAL long weekend in India?
March 26–31, 2026. Ram Navami (Thursday) + Friday leave + Weekend + Mahavir Jayanti (Monday) = 6-day break .
Q6. How can Digiparvat get more articles on my Google Discover feed?
Ensure you have the Google App installed, turn on your Web & App Activity, and regularly visit Digiparvat for trusted news. Interact with articles you find helpful .
Conclusion: Don’t Fall for the Hype, Plan Smart
The rumor of a February 18, 2026, public holiday serves as a classic example of how international calendars can create confusion in the domestic sphere.
The hard truth: India is working on Feb 18.
The good news: Maharashtra gets Feb 19 off. The rest of India has Holi, Eid, and a massive March/April corridor waiting for them.
At Digiparvat, our mission is to cut through the noise. While you may not be getting an extra day off this week, the year 2026 is packed with 7+ strategic long weekends if you plan your CL (Casual Leave) wallet wisely.
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