Resources
Post a Job

List of holidays in India in 2023

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 25 November 2025

Your next read

One-day leave email guide for employers
Top 10 HR policies for Indian Employers
What Is Fasting A Comprehensive Guide For Employers In India
One-day leave email guide for employers
Top 10 HR policies for Indian Employers
What Is Fasting A Comprehensive Guide For Employers In India
What is casual leave (with application samples)?
A Complete Guide To Leave, Attendance And LOP Days For Employers
Maternity Leave: A Guide For Employers
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
7 min read

In India, many organisations observe a range of national, gazetted and restricted holidays, although specific practices can vary. Each year, public holiday calendars are published in advance, and people across the country celebrate a wide variety of cultural and religious festivals. Because there are numerous observances throughout the year, many businesses create internal holiday lists that reflect the occasions they choose to recognise.

Some HR teams review upcoming public holiday calendars before the start of the fiscal year when preparing internal schedules. Organisations may also share their holiday lists on internal platforms so employees can refer to them easily.

Ready to get started?

Post a Job

Ready to get started?

Post a Job

What are the types of holidays in India?

India is known for its diversity. Staffs different types of festivals. 

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 2 October, Independence Day on 15 August, and Republic Day on 26 January each year. Many organisations choose to observe public holidays, although specific practices vary by employer. 

Gazetted holidays

Gazetted holidays appear on official government holiday calendars and are widely recognised across many organisations.

Restricted holidays

Employees may refer to their employer’s holiday or leave policy to understand how restricted holidays are handled. Restricted holidays are listed on many government calendars, and employers may decide how to incorporate them into their own holiday policies. Generally speaking, restricted as well as national holidays in India may be included in company holiday policies. Employers may set limits on the number of optional or restricted holidays available, depending on internal policy. Employees may request leave for certain holidays where their organisation offers optional or flexible holiday arrangements. 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. Some employers recognise national holidays as part of their annual leave or holiday schedule, but workplace policies can differ. 

Holidays across Indian states

Public or government holidays differ from state to state in India. Public holiday calendars vary by state, and employers often align their schedules with the holidays they choose to recognise.

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

Many organisations offer paid time off on certain public holidays, and some provide enhanced pay when employees work during widely observed holidays. Pay and leave arrangements depend on each employer’s policies. 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). Some organisations offer enhanced pay or compensatory time off when employees work on widely observed holidays, although arrangements depend on employer policy.

Tentative Indian holiday calendar 2023

  • 1 January 2023 — New Year’s Day (Restricted holiday)

  • 14 January 2023 — Makar Sankranti (Restricted holiday)

  • 15 January 2023 — Pongal (Restricted holiday)

  • 26 January 2023 — Republic Day (National holiday)

  • 26 January 2023 — Vasanta Panchami (Restricted holiday)

  • 5 February 2023 — Guru Ravidas Jayanti (Restricted holiday)

  • 15 February 2023 — Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti (Restricted holiday)

  • 18 February 2023 — Maha Shivratri (Restricted holiday)

  • 19 February 2023 — Shivaji Jayanti (Restricted holiday)

  • 7 March 2023 — Doljatra (Restricted holiday)

  • 7 March 2023 — Holika Dahana (Restricted holiday)

  • 8 March 2023 — Holi (Gazetted holiday)

  • 22 March 2023 — Chaitra Sukhladi (Restricted holiday)

  • 22 March 2023 — Ugadi (Restricted holiday)

  • 22 March 2023 — Gudi Padwa (Restricted holiday)

  • 30 March 2023 — Ram Navami (Gazetted holiday)

  • 4 April 2023 — Mahavir Jayanti (Gazetted holiday)

  • 7 April 2023 — Good Friday (Gazetted holiday)

  • 9 April 2023 — Easter Day (Restricted holiday)

  • 14 April 2023 — Vaishakhi (Restricted holiday)

  • 14 April 2023 — Ambedkar Jayanti (Restricted holiday)

  • 21 April 2023 — Jamat-ul-Vida (Restricted holiday)

  • 22 April 2023 — Id-ul-Fitr (Gazetted holiday)

  • 1 May 2023 — Labour Day (Restricted holiday)

  • 5 May 2023 — Buddha Purnima (Gazetted holiday)

  • 9 May 2023 — Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday (Restricted holiday)

  • 20 June 2023 — Rath Yatra (Restricted holiday)

  • 29 June 2023 — Bakrid / Eid al-Adha (Gazetted holiday)

  • 3 July 2023 — Guru Purnima (Restricted holiday)

  • 29 July 2023 — Muharram (Gazetted holiday)

  • 15 August 2023 — Independence Day (National holiday)

  • 16 August 2023 — Parsi New Year (Restricted holiday)

  • 20 August 2023 — Vinayaka Chaturthi (Restricted holiday)

  • 29 August 2023 — Onam (Restricted holiday)

  • 30 August 2023 — Raksha Bandhan (Restricted holiday)

  • 7 September 2023 — Janmashtami (Gazetted holiday)

  • 19 September 2023 — Ganesh Chaturthi (Restricted holiday)

  • 28 September 2023 — Milad-un-Nabi (Gazetted holiday)

  • 2 October 2023 — Gandhi Jayanti (National holiday)

  • 21 October 2023 — Maha Saptami (Restricted holiday)

  • 22 October 2023 — Maha Ashtami (Restricted holiday)

  • 23 October 2023 — Maha Navami (Restricted holiday)

  • 24 October 2023 — Dussehra (Gazetted holiday)

  • 28 October 2023 — Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti (Restricted holiday)

  • 12 November 2023 — Naraka Chaturdashi (Restricted holiday)

  • 12 November 2023 — Diwali (Gazetted holiday)

  • 13 November 2023 — Govardhan Puja (Restricted holiday)

  • 15 November 2023 — Bhai Dooj (Restricted holiday)

  • 19 November 2023 — Chhath Puja (Restricted holiday)

  • 24 November 2023 — Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day (Restricted holiday)

  • 27 November 2023 — Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gazetted holiday)

  • 25 December 2023 — Christmas Day (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. Some employers provide additional leave around these holidays, depending on internal policies. Many organisations incorporate a selection of these holidays into their leave calendars, though approaches differ. Some organisations view holiday observance as one way to support employee wellbeing. 

Recent Leadership and team management Articles

See all articles in this category

Ready to get started?

Post a Job

Related articles

7 Ways To Prevent And Manage Employee Attrition
Read article
What is a Pecha Kucha presentation and how to effectively use it?
Read article
A Complete Guide To Leave, Attendance And LOP Days For Employers
Read article

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines