India’s calendar of public holidays reflects its incredible cultural, religious, and regional diversity. From Republic Day and Diwali to Onam and Eid, holidays in India are declared at multiple administrative levels, national, central, and state under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
This article provides a complete overview of how public holidays in Indiaare classified, celebrated, and notified.
Public Holidays in India – List of National Holidays Observed Across India
India has three national holidays that are compulsory in all States and Union Territories.
Date
Holiday
26 January – Republic Day
Marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950.
15 August – Independence Day
Celebrates India’s independence from British rule in 1947.
2 October – Gandhi Jayanti
Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.
Note: Ambedkar Jayanti (14 April) is widely observed but is not one of the three statutory national holidays.
List of Central Government Holidays in India
The Central Government issues an annual list of holidays divided into Gazetted (Compulsory) and Restricted (Optional) categories.
Gazetted Holidays in India
Festival
Approx. Month
Description
Good Friday
March–April
Christian festival marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Eid al-Fitr
March–April
Muslim festival celebrating the end of Ramadan.
Eid al-Adha (Bakrid)
June–July
Festival of sacrifice in Islam.
Buddha Purnima
April–May
Celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha.
Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
September–October
Symbolizes victory of good over evil.
Diwali (Deepavali)
October–November
Festival of lights across India.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
October–November
Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism.
Christmas Day
25 December
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
(Optional) Restricted Holidays in India
Employees may choose any two optional holidays from this list:
Festival
Religion / Culture
Month
Significance
Makar Sankranti / Pongal
Hindu
January
Harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God.
Vasant Panchami
Hindu
Jan–Feb
Festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
Maha Shivaratri
Hindu
Feb–Mar
Night of Lord Shiva’s divine union with Parvati.
Holi
Hindu
March
Festival of colours symbolizing the victory of good.
Rama Navami
Hindu
Mar–Apr
Birth of Lord Rama.
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Cheti Chand
Hindu
Mar–Apr
Regional New Year festivals in South and West India.
Bohag Bihu / Vishu / Puthandu
Hindu
April
Harvest and New Year celebrations.
Vaisakhi
Sikh / Hindu
April
Spring harvest and Sikh New Year.
Ratha Yatra
Hindu
Jun–Jul
Chariot festival of Lord Jagannath.
Janmashtami
Hindu
Aug–Sep
Birth of Lord Krishna.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Hindu
Aug–Sep
Birth of Lord Ganesha.
Onam
Hindu
Aug–Sep
Kerala’s harvest festival.
Navratri / Durga Puja
Hindu
Sep–Oct
Worship of Goddess Durga.
Karva Chauth
Hindu
Oct–Nov
Married women pray for the long life of their husbands.
Chhath Puja
Hindu
Oct–Nov
Sun-worship festival in North India.
Easter Sunday
Christian
March–April
Celebrates the resurrection of Christ.
Mahavir Jayanti
Jain
March–April
Birth of Lord Mahavira.
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Sikh
December–January
Birth of the 10th Sikh Guru.
State and Union Territory Holidays in India
Every State and Union Territory in India publishes its own list of public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. These lists reflect local traditions, historical events, and cultural observances.
Annual closing day — no public banking transactions.
Legal Framework for Declaring Holidays in India
Authority / Law
Purpose
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Section 25)
Legal authority for declaring public holidays at state level.
Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
Publishes central government holiday list each year.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Declares standard bank holidays and working Saturday pattern.
State Governments / UTs
Notify holidays for local offices, schools, and institutions.
Summary Snapshot
Category
Declared By
Examples
National Holidays
Central Govt
Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti
Gazetted Holidays
DoPT
Eid al-Fitr, Diwali, Christmas
Restricted Holidays
DoPT (Optional)
Holi, Janmashtami, Onam, Vishu
State Holidays
State Govts / UTs
Pongal, Bihu, Onam
Bank Holidays
RBI + States
2nd & 4th Saturdays, April 1
Institutional Holidays
Boards / Employers
Academic or company breaks
Conclusion
India’s public holidays are more than days off — they are expressions of identity, heritage, and unity in diversity. Whether it’s the tricolour flying on Independence Day, diyas glowing on Diwali, or the community feast of Eid, every celebration adds to the nation’s cultural mosaic.
In short, public holidays in India represent the pulse of a living civilization that celebrates together — in hundreds of languages, faiths, and traditions — yet stands united as one.
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