Public Holidays in India 2025 – Central & State Observances
India has a complex holiday calendar combining central (national) holidays, state / regional holidays, and restricted / optional holidays. Central government offices follow a fixed list of mandatory holidays, while each state may add additional observances. Some holidays shift year to year.
How Public Holidays Are Organized in India
There are three types of holidays recognized by central government offices:
- Gazetted / Compulsory Holidays: These must be observed.
- Restricted / Optional Holidays: Employees may choose from a list.
- State / Regional Holidays: Vary by state, based on local festivals, culture, or religious significance.
India has three national holidays observed across all states and Union Territories: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).
Central Government Holidays in India (2025)
Below is a selection of the central (gazetted) and compulsory holidays for 2025. (Full list includes about 14 fixed + 3 local + optional).
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day (Restricted) |
| 14 January | Tuesday | Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Magha Bihu / Hazarat Ali’s Birthday |
| 26 January | Sunday | Republic Day |
| 14 March | Friday | Holi |
| 31 March | Monday | Eid ul-Fitr |
| 6 April | Sunday | Ram Navami |
| 10 April | Thursday | Mahavir Jayanti |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 12 May | Monday | Buddha Purnima |
| 7 June | Saturday | Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid) |
| 6 July | Sunday | Muharram |
| 15 August | Friday | Independence Day |
| 5 September | Friday | Mawlid / Milad un-Nabi |
| 2 October | Thursday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
Additional restricted holidays include Ambedkar Jayanti (14 April), Rath Yatra, local saint days, and other region-specific observances.
State & Regional Holidays
Each Indian state / UT observes its own additional holidays, such as:
- Regional festivals (e.g. Pongal, Baisakhi, Onam)
- State foundation days (e.g. Karnataka Rajyotsava, Maharashtra Day)
- Local religious festivals (e.g. Durga Puja, Janmashtami)
Notes & Observations
- Islamic holidays depend on lunar sighting and may shift by ±1 day.
- Some states offer a substitute (in-lieu) holiday when a date falls on Sunday.
- Restricted holidays allow employees to choose which to observe.
- This list reflects central/national holidays; state calendars may add more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which holidays are universally observed in India?
The three national holidays are: Republic Day (26 Jan), Independence Day (15 Aug), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct).
How many compulsory holidays does the central government observe in 2025?
There are 14 compulsory (gazetted) holidays, plus 3 local holidays and several restricted ones.
Do Islamic holidays shift year to year?
Yes, Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change annually.
What’s the difference between compulsory and restricted holidays?
Compulsory holidays must be observed by all central government offices, while restricted holidays allow employees to select which ones they observe.
Conclusion
Public holidays in India reflect the country’s religious, cultural, and regional diversity, with both nationwide observances and extensive state-specific additions.
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