The Kerala state government has officially revised the public holiday schedule for Muharram, marking the commencement of the first month of the Islamic calendar. While the holiday was previously scheduled for Thursday (June 25) as per the state’s official calendar, it has now been rescheduled to Friday, June 26, 2026.
According to the official directive issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Thursday, June 25, will now be treated as a regular working day for all government offices and educational institutions across the state.
What Prompted the Shift in the Holiday Date?
The Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) relies entirely on the sighting of the crescent moon to determine the start of a new month. The state government revised the date following the actual moon sighting in Kerala and subsequent representations submitted by various local Muslim organizations.
Community leaders pointed out that the most significant day of the month—Ashura (the 10th day of Muharram)—falls on Friday. To accommodate religious observances and ensure administrative convenience, the government accepted the request to shift the public holiday.
Which Institutions Will Be Affected by the New Order?
The revised order by the Kerala government will apply broadly across the state’s administrative and educational framework. The impact on various sectors is outlined below:
- State Government Offices: All government departments, including the Secretariat, will remain operational on June 25 and will be closed on Friday, June 26.
- Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and professional universities will remain closed on June 26. Any university examinations previously scheduled for Friday are expected to be postponed, with revised dates to be announced soon.
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs): State-run corporations and public sector units will observe the holiday on Friday instead of Thursday.
- Central Government Offices: In accordance with standard operating procedures, central government offices located within Kerala generally align their local holiday adjustments with the state government’s revised notification for religious occasions, meaning they too will observe the holiday on June 26.
Banking and Financial Sector: A 3-Day Long Weekend
The practical implications of this decision will be most apparent in the banking sector. In compliance with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday guidelines and the state’s amended notification, the banking schedule in Kerala will look like this:
| Date | Day | Status | Reason |
| June 25, 2026 | Thursday | Open | Regular working day due to holiday cancellation |
| June 26, 2026 | Friday | Closed | Rescheduled public holiday for Muharram |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | Closed | Fourth Saturday (Bank Holiday) |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | Closed | Weekly off |
Important Note: This adjustment results in a consecutive 3-day bank closure (Friday through Sunday) in Kerala. While physical bank branches will remain closed, digital banking channels—including Net Banking, Mobile Banking apps, UPI platforms, and ATMs—will remain fully operational. Customers requiring in-person banking services should plan to complete their transactions on Thursday, June 25.
Religious and Social Significance of Muharram
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam and marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The tenth day of this month, known as ‘Ashura’, holds immense historical and spiritual significance.
- The Shia Community: For Shia Muslims, Muharram is a period of mourning. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (the grandson of Prophet Muhammad) and his companions during the Battle of Karbala (in modern-day Iraq). Mourning congregations (Majalis) and Taziya processions are organized to mark the occasion.
- The Sunni Community: Sunni Muslims observe the day through prayers and voluntary fasting (Roza). According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Musa (Moses) fasted on this day to express gratitude for the liberation of the Israelites from the tyranny of the Pharaoh.
In a culturally diverse state like Kerala, this day also requires coordination from local administrations, which put special security measures in place to ensure peace and smooth traffic management during community processions.
Conclusion
The Kerala government’s decision to move the Muharram holiday to June 26 is a practical move that aligns the official holiday with actual religious observances. While it ensures that the festival is observed on the correct day, it requires citizens to modify their administrative and financial plans slightly. Since offices remain open on June 25, ongoing administrative work will not face disruptions. However, given the resulting three-day long weekend, individuals should plan any time-sensitive financial or legal tasks well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Will schools and colleges in Kerala be closed on June 25?
Answer: No. Following the government’s revised order, June 25 (Thursday) is a normal working day. All schools, colleges, and educational institutions will function as usual. The holiday has been moved to June 26 (Friday).
Q2. Are banks open in Kerala on June 26?
Answer: No. All public, private, and co-operative banks in Kerala will remain closed on June 26 due to the Muharram holiday. This will be followed by closures on the fourth Saturday and Sunday.
Q3. Will ATMs and online fund transfers (NEFT/IMPS/UPI) work during the holidays?
Answer: Yes. While physical bank branches will be closed, digital banking infrastructure—including ATMs, internet banking, mobile apps, and UPI payment gateways—will remain operational 24/7.
Q4. Has the Muharram holiday been changed in other states as well?
Answer: Muharram holidays are decided locally based on regional moon sightings. This specific notification applies only to the state of Kerala. Other states will follow the schedules issued by their respective state governments.
Q5. Does this holiday extension apply to private sector companies?
Answer: This order is mandatory for government offices, public sector undertakings, and educational institutions. Private companies and commercial establishments generally decide their holiday schedules based on internal HR policies and the provisions of the Kerala Industrial Establishments Act.
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