Bakrid Holiday Shifted to May 28 for Central Government Offices in Delhi

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has moved the Bakrid (Id-ul-Zuha) holiday from May 27 to May 28, 2026, for all Central Government offices in Delhi and New Delhi. The revision, issued via an office memorandum dated May 22, follows confirmation that Eid-ul-Adha will be observed on May 28 in the capital, based on the sighting of the moon.

The original date was tentative, as is standard for Islamic holidays in India's official calendar — dates are always marked "subject to change in date, depending on the sighting of the moon." This is because Islamic festivals follow the lunar Hijri calendar, and the exact date depends on when the crescent moon is physically sighted.

For Central Government offices outside Delhi / New Delhi, the memo leaves the decision to local Employee Welfare Coordination Committees, or to the Head of Office where such committees aren't active. These typically align with the State Government's call, so an employee in Mumbai or Hyderabad may observe Bakrid on a different date than a colleague in Delhi.

Bakrid — known globally as Eid-ul-Adha — commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, and coincides with the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Observances typically include morning prayers, the qurbani sacrifice, and sharing meat with family, neighbours, and those in need.

The practical upshot for Central Government employees in Delhi: Wednesday, May 27 is a working day. Thursday, May 28 is the holiday. Anyone who had planned leave or travel around the original date should adjust accordingly.