Public Holidays in India 2025: Full List and Calendar

Looking for a clear list of holidays in India and when they actually happen? You’re not alone. With dozens of national, state, and festival holidays, it’s easy to miss what really counts.

In this article, we’ll break down the key public holidays, major festivals, and long weekends so you can plan your year with confidence, whether it’s for work, travel, or time off. Let’s dive in.

What are India’s official national holidays in 2025?[toc=National Holidays]

With our experience helping global teams manage payroll and leave compliance in India, we’ve seen how knowing the right national holidays upfront keeps operations smooth and pay cycles accurate.

India has three official national holidays that are observed uniformly across the entire country, whether you work in a government office, private company, or school. These are fixed by the central government and apply to every state and union territory.

Here’s a quick look at India’s three official national holidays for 2025:

Important Notes for 2025:

• These holidays are mandatory across all states and organizations.
• Other holidays (festivals, regional days) are decided separately by state governments.
• Offices, schools, and most businesses remain closed nationwide on these dates.

What are the Central Government holidays in India for 2025?[toc=Central Government Holidays]

Drawing from our work managing end-to-end HR operations for global companies, we know how a clear, month-by-month holiday view helps plan hiring timelines, salary runs, and project milestones effectively.

Here’s the complete list of Central Government gazetted holidays across India for 2025:

Note: Dates for Islamic holidays are tentative and may vary based on lunar sighting.

Quick Facts to Remember on Central Government Holidays:

• These holidays are mandatory for all central government offices.
• State governments may add regional holidays separately.
• Most public sector banks follow this same calendar.
• Companies using EOR or payroll services should align pay runs and cut-off dates with these official holidays.

Which religious and public holidays are widely observed across India in 2025?[toc=Religious Holidays]

India’s cultural calendar goes far beyond official government holidays, many religious and public festivals bring the entire country to a pause. These widely observed celebrations often impact work schedules, business operations, and travel plans across regions.

Here’s a rundown of the major religious and public festivals that shape India’s 2025 holiday calendar:

What are Gazetted, State, and Restricted Holidays in India?[toc=Gazetted vs. State vs. Restricted]

India follows a three-tier holiday system, Gazetted, State, and Restricted holidays. Each type serves a different purpose: some are nationwide and mandatory, others are local or optional.

Think of it this way:

• Gazetted holidays are like the official playbook for the whole country.
• State holidays are regional add-ons based on local culture.
• Restricted holidays are personal choices employees can take at their discretion.

See how Gazetted, State, and Restricted holidays vary across India.

Quick facts to remember on holiday types:

• Private companies often combine these into a single internal leave calendar for simplicity.
• Gazetted holidays are fixed nationwide, while state holidays differ each year and by region.

Which bank holidays apply in my state?[toc=Bank Holidays]

Bank holidays in India vary from one state to another, often following regional festivals and local observances. Knowing these dates in advance helps avoid payroll delays and financial hiccups.

Here is the example for state-wise bank holidays in India (2025):

Note: Actual bank holidays vary by year and may be officially announced by RBI in December of the preceding year.

Quick facts to remember on bank holidays:

• All banks remain closed on 2nd and 4th Saturdays and every Sunday.
• National holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) are mandatory bank closures across India.
• Public sector and private banks both follow the same RBI-approved list for each state.

Pro tip: For global payroll and EOR teams, always schedule salary disbursements 1–2 days before state-specific bank holidays.