Maharashtra declares local holiday on November 9 for Mumbai government offices, giving five-day Diwali break

The Maharashtra government has declared a local holiday on Monday, November 9, 2026, for all state government and semi-government offices in Mumbai city and Mumbai Suburban district. The decision will give Mumbai's government employees five consecutive days off for Diwali.

The General Administration Department issued an official circular on the holiday on November 6, 2026. The state government took the decision in view of the long-standing tradition and demand for a local Diwali holiday for government and semi-government offices in Mumbai. Work will remain completely shut on November 9 in the offices concerned in Mumbai city and the suburbs.

The break works out as follows. November 7, a Saturday, is the weekly off. November 8, a Sunday, is Lakshmi Puja. November 9, a Monday, is the local holiday declared by the government. November 10, a Tuesday, is Diwali Bali Pratipada, and November 11, a Wednesday, is Bhai Dooj.

Had offices stayed open on Monday, employees returning to Mumbai from their villages or elsewhere would have had to rush back for a single day, and getting railway and bus reservations would also have been difficult. Citing this difficulty, the Maharashtra Mantralaya Adhikari Sanghatana (an officers' association) had requested the Chief Minister to declare a holiday on November 9. The government has taken the decision to ease this problem for employees.

Offices will reopen on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15, are again weekly offs. Employees who are granted casual leave for November 12 and 13 can therefore take nine days off in a row. Attendance in Mumbai's government offices is expected to be very thin during this period.

The decision will make travel easier for Mumbai's government employees who go to their villages and families for Diwali, and there is a mood of cheer among staff. The full circular has been made available on the Maharashtra government's official website.