Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Date, History, Why It Is a National Holiday and How India Marks It

Every year on 2 October, searches for "Gandhi Jayanti" spike for a simple reason: it is a national holiday, and people want to know what is open, what is closed and why the day matters. In 2026 the date falls on a Friday, which means a three-day weekend for many offices and schools, and that has added travel and "dry day" queries to the usual mix.

What Gandhi Jayanti commemorates

Gandhi Jayanti marks the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, in present-day Gujarat. 2026 is his 157th birth anniversary.

Gandhi trained as a lawyer in London and spent more than two decades in South Africa, where he first developed satyagraha, his method of non-violent resistance, while fighting discriminatory laws. He returned to India in 1915 and over the following three decades became the central figure of the independence movement, leading the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt March of 1930 and the Quit India Movement of 1942. He was assassinated on 30 January 1948, a date India marks as Martyrs' Day.

The day is less about ceremony than about the ideas he is associated with: truth, non-violence, self-reliance, communal harmony and swaraj, or self-rule.

Why it is a national holiday

India has only three national holidays observed in every state and union territory: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). Gandhi is formally recognised as the Father of the Nation, and the holiday reflects that status.

Since 2007 the United Nations has also observed 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence, after a resolution introduced by India and co-sponsored by more than 140 countries. That gives the day a global dimension that the other two national holidays do not have.

How the day is observed

• At Raj Ghat in Delhi, Gandhi's memorial, the President, Prime Minister and other leaders pay floral tributes in the morning, usually accompanied by his favourite hymns, including "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" and "Vaishnava Jana To".
• Schools and colleges hold speech, essay and painting competitions, often in the days before since the day itself is a holiday.
• Many state governments and civic bodies run cleanliness drives, a tradition that gained momentum with the Swachh Bharat Mission launched on 2 October 2014.
• Khadi outlets typically run their biggest discounts of the year around the day.

What is closed on 2 October 2026

• Banks: closed across India under the Reserve Bank's holiday list. Online banking, UPI and ATMs work as normal.
• Government offices and courts: closed.
• Schools and most colleges: closed.
• Stock markets: NSE and BSE are closed for trading.
• Alcohol: 2 October is a dry day in most states, so liquor shops, bars and alcohol service in restaurants are shut. Rules vary by state, so check locally if you are travelling.
• Shops, malls and cinemas: open. Several big films, including Drishyam: The Conclusion, release today to take advantage of the holiday crowd.

The long weekend

With 2 October on a Friday, many people have Friday to Sunday off. If you are planning a short trip, expect busy highways on Thursday evening and Sunday night, and book trains early. Our guide to packing light for a short trip and our long-distance train travel tips are both useful here.

Frequently asked questions

When is Gandhi Jayanti in 2026?

Friday 2 October 2026. The date is the same every year because it follows the Gregorian calendar, unlike festivals that move with the lunar calendar.

Is Gandhi Jayanti a bank holiday?

Yes. It is a national holiday and banks are closed throughout India. Digital banking is unaffected.

Why is 2 October the International Day of Non-Violence?

The UN General Assembly adopted the observance in 2007 to honour Gandhi's philosophy and to promote a culture of peace, tolerance and non-violence worldwide.

Is 2 October a dry day everywhere in India?

Most states and union territories declare it a dry day, but alcohol rules are set by each state. Check the local excise notification if it matters to your plans.

When is Gandhi Jayanti in 2027?

Saturday 2 October 2027.