Our Love for Holidays
Ever found yourself eagerly flipping through the calendar, looking for those upcoming holidays? We all do it! Whether it’s an earned leave, a sick day, or those precious national and restricted holidays, who doesn’t crave a little extra time off? It’s a chance to escape from work and enjoy some personal time. In India, the land of vibrant cultures and traditions, we’re truly blessed with a plethora of festivals, each bringing its own unique holiday.
India’s cultural diversity means that we celebrate numerous occasions and festivals with great enthusiasm. This also translates into a wide range of holidays throughout the year. Unlike the mandatory national holidays, these festive day-offs can vary a lot. Thereby, causing complexity for HR professionals while planning the annual holiday calendar. So, let us know what these holidays are all about and how they impact us.
The Role of HR in Planning Holidays
As an HR professional, it’s your duty to design the yearly holiday policies for your company at the start of the financial year. Sounds straightforward, right? Not quite. It’s crucial to refer to the government-released holiday calendar for the respective year. Checking both central government-gazetted holidays and compulsory holidays for private companies is a must before you finalize the leave policy on your HR software portal. Now, let’s understand what are the major types of holidays in India.
Primarily, there are two categories of holidays in India: National and Restricted. Read on for further information.
National Holidays in India: The Must-Know Days
So, what exactly is a national holiday? In simple terms, it’s a day when the entire country takes a pause to commemorate significant events like independence or establishment.
In India, we have three major national holidays:
- Republic Day:Â 26 January
- Independence Day:Â 15 August
- Gandhi Jayanti:Â 2 October
These days are compulsory holidays for everyone, including private companies. No exceptions here—everyone gets to join in the celebrations!
Restricted Holidays: Flexibility at Its Best
Now, let’s talk about restricted holidays, often called ‘Optional Holidays’. These are not mandatory. Instead, they offer flexibility, allowing employees to decide if they want to take leave on those specific days. Think of it as a holiday buffet—you pick according to your taste.
Common examples of restricted holidays include: Shri Ram Navami, Chhath Puja, etc.
These are often religious festivals celebrated by Hindus, giving employees the freedom to choose according to their personal preferences and beliefs.
National vs. Restricted Holidays: What’s the Difference?
Here’s a quick comparison to make things clear:
National Holidays:
- Mandatory: Everyone gets a day off.
- Examples: Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti.
- For All: Applies to all offices, including private companies.
Restricted Holidays:
- Optional: Employees choose if they want to take the day off.
- Examples: Sri Ram Navami, Chhath Puja.
- Flexible: Not everyone celebrates these, so it’s up to the individual.
For HR professionals, planning the holiday calendar involves balancing these different types of holidays. It’s not just about ticking boxes but ensuring employees have a sound work-life balance. Checking the official holiday lists and incorporating both national and restricted holidays can help create a comprehensive leave policy that everyone appreciates.
Why does a Holiday Calendar Matter?
- Employee Satisfaction: Who doesn’t love a well-planned holiday calendar? It boosts morale and productivity.
- Cultural Respect: Acknowledging various festivals respects our cultural diversity.
- Legal Compliance: Ensures the company adheres to government-mandated holidays.
List of Restricted and National Holidays in India 2025
Before framing holiday policies for companies, let’s take a look at the list of national and restricted holidays in India for the year 2025.
January 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
New Year | 1 January, 2025 | Public Holiday |
Guru Govind Singh Jayanti | 6 January, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Lohri | 14 January, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Makar Sankranti | 14 January, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Pongal | 14 January, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Republic Day | 26 January, 2025 | National Holiday |
February 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Vasant Panchmi | 2 February, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti | 19 February, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Maha Shivaratri | 26 February, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
March 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Holika Dahan | 13 Match, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Holi | 14 March, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
Dolyatra | 14 March, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Ugadi | 30 March, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Gudi Padwa | 30 March, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
April 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Ram Navami | 6 April, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
Mahavir Jayanti | 10 April, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Vaisakhi | 13 April, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Ambedkar Jayanti | 14 April, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Good Friday | 18 April, 2025 | Gazzeted Holiday |
Easter Day | 20 April, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
May 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Rabindranath Tagore Janmdiwas | 9 May, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Buddha Purnima | 12 May, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
June 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Rath Yatra | 27 June, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
July 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Guru Purnima | 10 July, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
I was able to implement the platform on my own. It helps in assigning the tasks to other employees, conducting surveys and polls, and much more. The ease of use and self-onboarding is something that I would like to appreciate.
Sonali, Kommunicate
Zimyo simplifies attendance management for our organization. The leave and attendance are so streamlined that we have never faced any difficulties with the system.
Anurag, Eggoz Nutrition
August 2025
Event/Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | 9 August, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
Independance Day | 15 August, 2025 | National Holiday |
Krishna Janamashtami | 16 August, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Ganesh Chaturthi | 27 August, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
September 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Onam | 5 September, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Durga Puja | 28 September, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Maha Ashtami | 30 September, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
October 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
Maha Navami | 1 October, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October, 2025 | National Holiday |
Dusshera | 2 October, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti | 7 October, 2025 | Public Holiday |
Karak Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) | 10 October, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Deepavali | 20 October, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
Govardhan Puja | 22 October, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
Bhai Duj | 23 October, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
Chhath Pooja | 28 October, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
November 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Guru Nanak Jayanti | 5 November, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day | 24 November, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
December 2025
Occasion | Date | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|
Christmas Eve | 24 December, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
Christmas | 25 December, 2025 | Gazetted Holiday |
New Year's Eve | 25 December, 2025 | Restricted Holiday |
There You Go...
So, next time you’re excited about an upcoming holiday, remember the effort that goes into planning it. Whether it’s a mandatory national holiday or a flexible restricted one, each day off is a step towards a happier, more balanced life.
I was able to implement the platform on my own. It helps in assigning the tasks to other employees, conducting surveys and polls, and much more. The ease of use and self-onboarding is something that I would like to appreciate.
Sonali, Kommunicate
Zimyo simplifies attendance management for our organization. The leave and attendance are so streamlined that we have never faced any difficulties with the system.
Anurag, Eggoz Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to Restricted an National Holidays in India
There are 3 national holidays that are observed in every part of the country. These holidays are Republic Day on the 26th of January, Independence Day on the 15th of August, and Gandhi Jayanti on the 2nd of October.
No, the public or government holidays differ from state to state. There might be some common holidays, but there are some holidays that are specific to the culture and history of each state.
No, you can’t, until you are currently residing in that state.
Yes, there are several states which allow their employees to enjoy New Year by making it a public holiday.
Yes, the above restricted and public holidays list is applicable for all the industries including IT/Tech, Manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare, Software, Mining, Aviation, Hospitality, BFSI, and more.
It totally depends upon the entity location and diversity. You can keep the holiday optional for few employees or permanent holiday for the native festivals.
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