India

Mumbai Declares Monday, 9 November, a Local Holiday for State and Semi‑Government Offices

By Trisha Bhattacharya

The Maharashtra government has announced that Monday, 9 November, will be a local holiday for state government and semi‑government offices in Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts to observe Diwali. The order, issued by the General Administration Department on 6 November, applies to employees working in the specified offices and is not a statewide closure. It does not declare a holiday for private companies, shops or other workplaces; those employees should check with their employers. The holiday falls between Diwali Amavasya, listed on 8 November, and Diwali (Bali Pratipada), listed on 10 November, giving eligible government employees a day off on the intervening Monday. The circular, digitally signed by Principal Secretary Atul Patne, references Government Decision No. PCH‑ and S. Number 21/III/B, dated 5 November 1958. The notification has been sent to the Governor’s Secretariat, the Chief Minister’s Office, the offices of the Deputy Chief Ministers, state ministers and departments, as well as Mumbai’s civic and district administration. The public can view the circular on the Maharashtra government website, maharashtra.gov.in, using the reference code. The 2026 holiday calendar lists Diwali Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan) on 8 November, a Sunday, and Diwali (Bali Pratipada) on 10 November, a Tuesday. The 9 November local holiday therefore falls between these two festival dates. Mumbai also observes local holidays for other major festivals such as Gopalkala (Dahi Handi) and Anant Chaturdashi, which are traditionally observed as local holidays for government and semi‑government offices in the two districts. The additional 9 November order extends the local holiday arrangements for the year to include Diwali.