There is good news for government employees in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has ordered that salaries and honorariums related to basic and secondary education be paid before Holi.
Salaries to Be Released Before Holi
The UP government has directed that salaries and pensions for February 2026 be released on February 28, 2026. Usually, these payments are made in the first week of March.
However, because of the Holi holidays, the payment will now be completed on the last day of February.
This decision will benefit millions of government employees in the state, who will receive their salaries this week.
The official order was issued on Wednesday (February 25) by Director General of School Education, Monica Rani. It is expected that similar orders may soon be issued for other departments as well.
Strict instructions have been given to officials in the Basic and Secondary Education Departments to release the salaries of all officers, teachers, and employees working under them before March 2.
Holiday Schedule and Government Instructions
According to the Finance Department’s instructions:
March 1, 2026, is a Sunday (general holiday).
March 2, 2026, is a public holiday for Holika Dahan.
March 4, 2026, is a public holiday for Holi.
Because of these holidays, the regular process of salary and pension distribution could have been delayed. To prevent any inconvenience
and to help employees manage festival expenses and shopping, the government, after receiving the Governor’s approval, decided to release the payments early as a Holi gift.
The order also applies to employees of the Midday Meal Authority and Directorate. The state government has directed all district magistrates
and treasury officers to ensure immediate implementation so that salaries are credited to bank accounts before Holi.
At present, there are around 1.8 million government employees in Uttar Pradesh, and all of them are waiting to receive their salaries before the festival.
About Holi 2026
Holi, known as the festival of colors, will be celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and many parts of the world in March 2026.
It is considered the second-largest Hindu festival after Diwali. Holi marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Holika Dahan is performed after sunset at an auspicious time, and Rangwali Holi is celebrated with colors the following morning.