12 February 2026: Calendar, Festivals, Special Day, Public & Bank Holiday Updates in India

Today

Date - 12 February 2026
Day - Thursday

1. Festivals & Observances

Today, 12 February 2026, holds spiritual significance in India as Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is observed across many parts of the country, particularly by followers of Arya Samaj. This day commemorates the birth anniversary of the great social reformer and founder of Arya Samaj, who dedicated his life to reviving Vedic knowledge and reforming society.

As per the official Central Government Holiday List 2026 released by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), this day is listed as a Restricted Holiday. Central Government employees may avail this as one of their two optional holidays during the year.

From a spiritual perspective, even seemingly ordinary days offer profound opportunities for self-discipline and divine remembrance. As taught in the Bhagavad Gita, every moment can become sacred when we dedicate our actions to the Supreme Lord with devotion and awareness.

2. Special Day

Today is observed as National Productivity Day in India, marking the beginning of National Productivity Week. The National Productivity Council (NPC) organizes various workshops and programmes aimed at enhancing quality and efficiency across Indian industries. This observance reminds us that true productivity comes not merely from material output but from working with dedication, integrity, and consciousness of our higher purpose.

Birth Anniversary

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was born on 12 February 1824 in Tankara, Gujarat (now in Morbi district). Born as Mool Shankar Tiwari into a devout Brahmin family, his life took a transformative turn at age 14 during a Shivratri vigil when he witnessed mice running over the idol, leading him to question idol worship. This profound experience set him on a spiritual quest that would change India's social and religious landscape.

Renouncing worldly life at age 22, he spent 15 years wandering across India in search of truth. Under the guidance of his blind guru Swami Virjanand in Mathura, he dedicated himself to reviving Vedic Hinduism. On 7 April 1875, he founded the Arya Samaj in Mumbai, a reform movement advocating a return to the authority of the Vedas while rejecting idol worship, ritualism, and social evils like the caste system, child marriage, and untouchability.

Dayanand Saraswati was a visionary reformer who championed women's education, widow remarriage, and social equality based on merit rather than birth. He was the first to give the call for Swaraj (self-rule), declaring "India for Indians" in 1876, a concept later popularized by Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. His seminal work, Satyarth Prakash, remains a foundational text on Vedic philosophy.

His teachings profoundly influenced the Indian freedom movement, inspiring leaders such as Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Subhas Chandra Bose, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and many others. The Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools and colleges, established in his honour, continue his educational mission across India and beyond.

Dayanand Saraswati passed away on 30 October 1883 in Ajmer following a period of illness. Historical accounts suggest he died under controversial circumstances after publicly criticizing the Maharaja of Jodhpur. India's second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, honoured him as one of the "makers of modern India." His legacy endures through the Arya Samaj movement and educational institutions that continue to promote Vedic knowledge, social reform, and national pride.

Gundappa Viswanath

Legendary Indian cricketer Gundappa Ranganath Viswanath was born on 12 February 1949 in Bhadravathi, Mysore State (now Shivamogga, Karnataka). Fondly known as "Vishy," he is celebrated as one of India's finest batsmen of the 1970s and early 1980s, renowned for his elegant and wristy batting style that emphasized timing and grace over power.

Viswanath's international career began with a memorable Test debut against Australia in November 1969 at Kanpur. After scoring a duck in the first innings, he bounced back with a brilliant 137 in the second innings, becoming the first cricketer to score both a duck and a century on Test debut. Throughout his career spanning from 1969 to 1983, he played 91 Tests, scoring 6,080 runs at an average of 41.93, including 14 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

What made Viswanath truly special was his ability to perform under pressure on difficult pitches. His unbeaten 97 against the fiery West Indies pace bowler Andy Roberts at Chennai in 1974-75 is ranked as one of the greatest innings in Test cricket history. When India was struggling at 118 for 8, Vishy's brilliant counterattacking knock helped India reach 190 and eventually win the match. This innings ranks 38th in Wisden's list of 100 greatest Test innings.

His centuries often played a crucial role in securing victories or saving matches for India. His masterful 112 in the historic fourth-innings chase of 403 runs against West Indies at Port of Spain in 1976 remains etched in cricket folklore.

Beyond his batting prowess, Viswanath was revered for his sportsmanship and integrity. In the Golden Jubilee Test against England in 1979-80, while captaining India, he recalled English batsman Bob Taylor to the crease after believing the umpire had made an incorrect decision. Though this gesture cost India the match, it earned Viswanath universal respect and embodied the true spirit of cricket.

After retirement, Viswanath served Indian cricket as an ICC Match Referee (1999-2004), Chairman of the National Selection Committee, and Manager of the Indian cricket team. He received the Padma Shri in 1971 and the prestigious Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from BCCI in 2009. He was inducted into the Wisden India Hall of Fame in 2019.

Viswanath married Kavita Gavaskar, sister of legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, in March 1978. Their son Daivik is also a first-class cricketer. At 77 years old today, Gundappa Viswanath remains an inspirational figure in Indian cricket, remembered not only for his sublime strokeplay but equally for his humility, fair play, and unwavering commitment to the spirit of the game.

Death Anniversary

No major death anniversaries of prominent Indian personalities are recorded on 12 February 2026.

3. Holiday Updates

Public Holiday: Today, 12 February 2026, is not a nationally declared public holiday in India. Government offices, schools, and institutions remain open as per regular schedule.

Bank Holiday: As per Reserve Bank of India guidelines, 12 February 2026 is not a scheduled bank holiday. Banks across India remain operational with normal banking services.