What Are The Types Of Holidays In India?
India is known for its diversity. Living together many communities celebrates different types of festivals. Thus, apart from the national holidays, some states of India also observe some restricted holidays.
National holidays
A national holiday is a day when a nation, whether it is sovereign or not, honours its founding, independence or some other noteworthy occasion. In India, there are three national holidays. As a result, the nation observes Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd, Independence Day on August 15, and Republic Day on January 26 each year. In India, all public holidays are observed as mandatory vacation days by private companies.
Gazetted holidays
Gazetted holidays are mandatory government holidays given in a year. It is a holiday for all educational institutions, banks and businesses.
Restricted holidays
It is the employee’s choice whether or not to take leave on a restricted holiday because it is a discretionary day. Restricted holidays, often known as “Optional Holidays,” does not require vacation days for private businesses in India. Generally speaking, restricted as well as national holidays in India may be included in company holiday policies. However, only a restricted number of optional vacations are available to employees (with a maximum limit). It is up to the employees to take time off during certain holidays. For example, Eid is a Muslim festival, whereas Ram Navami is a Hindu festival.
Difference between restricted and national holidays
Restricted holidays in India differ significantly from national holidays. In India private businesses (or any other office) require to provide days off on national holidays, whereas restricted holidays are at the employee’s option.
Holidays Across Indian States?
Public or government holidays differ from state to state in India. While some festivals may be celebrated on national level, others are unique to each state’s culture and history. Employees residing in a specific state can take public holidays in that state.
National and restricted holidays in Delhi
Indian capital provides a total of 18 national and regional holidays. The list of holidays includes Republic day, Holi, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Id-ul-Fitr, Buddha Purnima, Id-ul-Zuha, Muharram, Independence day, Janmashtami, Milad-ul-nabi, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, Dussehra, Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday, Diwali, Guru Nanak’s birthday and Christmas day.
National and restricted holidays in Maharashtra
The state of Maharashtra gives 24 national and regional holidays in total. The public holiday list includes Republic day, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Mahashivratri, Holi, Gudhi padwa, Ram Navami, Ambedkar Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Maharastra din, Id-ul-Fitr, buddha Purnima, Id-ul-Zuha, Muharram, Independence day, Parsi New year, Ganesh Chaturthi, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, Dussehra, Id-e-Milad, Diwali Amavasya, Diwali, Guru Nanak’s Birthday and Christmas day.
National and restricted holidays in Bihar
Bihar observes 21 national and regional holidays in total. It also observes labour holiday on 1st May every year. Another list of holidays includes Republic day, Holi (2 days), Bihar Diwas, Ram Navami, Good Friday, Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti, Id-ul-Fitr, May Day, Id-ul-Zuha, Muharram, Independence day, Krishna Janmasthami, Mahatama Gandhi Jayanti, Durga puja (3 days), Diwali, Chhath puja (2 days), and Christmas.
National and restricted holidays in West Bengal
West Bengal provides a total of 34 national and regional holidays. It observes labour holiday on 1st May every year.
The list of holidays includes New year’s day, Swami Vivekanand Jayanti, Netaji’s Birthday, Republic Day, Saraswati Puja, Guru Rabidas Birthday, Doljatra, Shab-e-barat, Shri Shri Harichand Thakur Birthday, Mahavir Jayanti, Easter Saturday, B.R Ambedkar Jayanti, Id-ul-Fitr, May Day, Buddha Purnima, Rabindranath Tagore Birthday, Id-ul-Zuha, Hui Diwas, Muharram, Independence Day, Mahatama Gandhi Jayanti, Mahalaya, Durga Puja (4 days), Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Bhratridwitiya, Chhat Puja, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and Christmas.
National and restricted holidays in Karnataka
Karnataka observes a total of 29 national and regional holidays. It observes labour holiday on 1st May every year.
The list of other holidays includes Makar Sankranti, Uttarayana Punyakala, Republic Day, Maha Shivratri, Ugadi festival, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, B.R Ambedkar Jayanti, Khutub-e-Ramzan, Basava Jayanthi, Akshaya Tritiya, May Day, Bakrid, Muharram, Independence Day, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Id- Milad, Gandhi Jayanthi, Mahalaya Amavasye, Mahanavami, Ayudhapooja, Vijayadasami, Valmiki Jayanthi, Kannada Rajyothsava, Narak Chaturdashi, Diwali, Kanakadasa Jayanthi, and Christmas.
National and restricted holidays in Punjab
Punjab observes a total of 28 national and regional holidays. The list of other holidays includes Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Republic Day, Sri Guru Ravidas Jayanti, Maha Shivratri, Holi, Shri Guru Nabha Dass Jayanti, Ram Navami, Vaishaki, B.R Ambedkar Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Pashuram Jayanti, Id-ul-Fitr, Sri Guru Arjun Dev ji Martyrdom Day, Kabir Jayanti, Bakrid, Independence Day, Janmashtami, Agrasain Jayanti, Gandhi Jayanti, Dusshera, Valmiki Jayanti, Diwali, Vishwakarma Day, Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom Day, Christmas, and Guru Gobind Singh Birthday.
National and regional holidays in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu observes a total of 23 holidays in a year. These public holidays include New Year’s Day, Pongal, Thiruvalluvar Day, Uzhavar Thirunal, Republic Day, Thai Poosam, Telugu New Year’s Day, Mahavir Jayanthi, Good Friday, Tamil New Year’s Day, Id-ul-Fitr, May Day, Bakrid, Muharram, Independence Day, Krishna Jayanthi, Vinayakar Chaturthi, Milad-un-Nabi, Gandhi Jayanthi, Ayutha Pooja, Vijaya Dashmi, Diwali and Christmas.
Pay on public holidays
During Festival (public and religious) holidays, employees are entitled to paid time off. These include religious and memorial holidays. In India, there are numerous festivals and religious holidays, but only three of them are recognised as full national public holidays. These are Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Republic Day (January 26), and Independence Day (August 15). Employers are required to give workers double pay and compensatory time off if they work on national holidays. Employers are required to give workers double pay and compensatory time off if they work on national holidays.
Tentative Indian holiday calender 2023
1 Jan – New Year’s day-Restricted Holiday
14 Jan- Makar Sankranti- Restricted Holiday
15 Jan- Pongal- Restricted Holiday
26 Jan- Republic Day- National Holiday
26 Jan- Vasanta Panchami- Restricted Holiday
5 Feb- Guru Ravidas Jayanti- Restricted Holiday
15 Feb- Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti- Restricted Holiday
18 Feb- Maha Shivratri- Restricted Holiday
19 Feb – Shivaji Jayanti- Restricted Holiday
7 Mar- Dolyatra- Restricted Holiday
7 Mar- Holika Dahana- Restricted Holiday
8 Mar- Holi- Gazetted Holiday
22 Mar- Chaitra Sukhladi- Restricted Holiday
22 Mar- Ugadi- Restricted Holiday
22 Mar- Gudi Padwa- Restricted Holiday
30 Mar- Ram Navami- Gazetted Holiday
4 Apr- Mahavir Jayanti- Gazetted Holiday
7 Apr- Good Friday- Gazetted Holiday-
9 Apr- Easter Day- Restricted Holiday
14 Apr- Vaishaki- Restricted Holiday
14 Apr- Ambedkar Jayanti- Restricted Holiday
21 Apr- Jamat-ul- Vida- Restricted Holiday
22 Apr- Id-ul-Fitr- Gazetted Holiday
1 May- Labour Day- Restricted Holiday
5 May- Buddha Purnima- Gazetted Holiday
9 May- Rabindranath’s Birthday- Restricted Holiday
20 Jun- Rath Yatra- Restricted Holiday
29 Jun- Bakrid- Gazetted Holiday
3 Jul- Guru Purnima- Restricted Holiday
29 Jul- Muharram- Gazetted Holiday
15 Aug- Independence Day- National Holiday
16 Aug- Parsi New year- Restricted Holiday
20 Aug- Vinayaka Chathurthi- Restricted Holiday
29 Aug- Onam- Restricted Holiday
30 Aug- Raksha Bandhan- Restricted Holiday
7 Sep- Janmashtami- Gazetted Holiday
19 Sep- Ganesh Chaturthi- Restricted Holiday
28 Sep- Milad-ul-Nabi- Gazetted Holiday
2 Oct- Gandhi Jayanti- National Holiday
21 Oct- Maha Saptami- Restricted Holiday
22 Oct- Maha Ashtami- Restricted Holiday
23 Oct- Maha Navami- Restricted Holiday
24 Oct- Dusshera- Gazetted Holiday
28 Oct- Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti- Restricted Holiday
12 Nov- Narak Chaturdasi- Restricted Holiday
12 Nov- Diwali- Gazetted Holiday
13 Nov- Govardhan Puja- Restricted Holiday
15 Nov- Bhai Duj- Restricted Holiday
19 Nov- Chhath Puja- Restricted Holiday
24 Nov- Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom day- Restricted Holiday
27 Nov- Guru Nanak Jayanti- Gazetted Holiday
25 Dec- Christmas- Gazetted Holiday
In India, there are people from many different cultures and religions. As a result, each Indian state commemorates holidays in honour of particular regional festivities. These national and restricted holidays allow workers an extra day off so that they can celebrate the holidays with their families. According to the states, every private and public institution should endeavour to include these leaves on their list of holidays. By providing time off for family enjoyment, these holidays raise employee’s happiness.
