The Manipur Government has declared all Saturdays as working days for state government offices, temporarily reversing the five-day week introduced in 2022, effective until further orders.
IMPHAL – The Government of Manipur’s General Administration Department has issued a notification declaring all Saturdays, except those falling on general holidays, as working days for all government offices. The order, dated April 24, 2026, and bearing reference No. ESTT-1011/1/2026-GAD-GAD, extends to autonomous bodies and institutions, corporations, societies, boards, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the state government.
The directive has been described as a temporary measure, to remain in force until further orders. It was issued with the approval of the Competent Authority and signed by Thokchom Bedajit, Joint Secretary to the Government of Manipur.
The latest order marks a significant policy reversal. In 2022, following a cabinet decision chaired by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on March 22, the Governor of Manipur had declared a five-day working week — Monday to Friday — for all offices, agencies, and PSUs under the state government, effective from April 1 of that year. The decision had been formalised through a notification signed by then Deputy Secretary Sunanda Thokchom.
Under the 2022 policy, working hours were set from 9 AM to 5:30 PM during summer (March to October) and from 9 AM to 5 PM during winter (November to February), with a lunch break from 1 PM to 1:30 PM in both seasons. At the time, Chief Minister Biren Singh, who had been sworn in for his second term on March 21, 2022, had stated that the five-day week would improve the work-life balance of employees and align office timings with school schedules to ease commuting.
The government has not yet indicated whether this temporary Saturday working arrangement will become permanent or how long it will remain in effect.
