List of Gazetted Holidays In India 2025

Every year, the Government of India releases an official list of gazetted holidays and restricted holidays that apply to central government offices, banks, and various public institutions. These holidays are published in the Gazette of India and help both employers and employees plan ahead for national, religious, and cultural observances.

In 2025, the central government holiday list includes a mix of major national events like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, as well as religious celebrations such as Eid, Diwali, and Christmas.

If you’re wondering what gazetted holidays means, how they differ from restricted holidays, or want a full list of gazetted holidays in 2025, this guide has you covered. Whether you’re an employee, HR manager, business owner, or simply planning your calendar, this blog will give you a complete overview of central government holidays and what they mean for you.

India observes three main National Holidays every year, Republic Day on January 26, Independence Day on August 15, and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. These holidays are recognized across the entire country and are classified as Gazetted Holidays, meaning all government offices, institutions, and most businesses remain closed. They hold national importance and are celebrated with official ceremonies, flag hoisting, and cultural events.

Gazetted Holiday

A Gazetted Holiday is an official public holiday declared by the government of India and published in the Gazette of India, which is the public journal of the government. These holidays are mandatory, meaning all government offices, banks, schools, and most private sector organizations remain closed on these days.

There are two types of gazetted holidays:

• National Gazetted Holidays: These include Republic Day (Jan 26), Independence Day (Aug 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2). These are uniform across the country.
• Other Gazetted Holidays:These vary by state and region and may include religious festivals or birthdays of notable personalities.

In simple terms, if it’s a gazetted holiday, it’s an official day off for most organizations, and it’s published and recognized by the government on an annual basis.

List of Gazetted Holidays in India 2025

Here’s a table of official gazetted holidays in India for 2025, including the day of the week for your easy planning:

Holiday	Date	Day
Republic Day	January 26	Sunday
Maha Shivaratri	February 26	Wednesday
Holi	March 14	Friday
Id-ul-Fitr (Eid)	March 31	Monday
Mahavir Jayanti	April 10	Thursday
Good Friday	April 18	Friday
Buddha Purnima	May 12	Monday
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)	June 07	Saturday
Muharram	July 06	Sunday
Independence Day	August 15	Friday
Janmashtami	August 16	Saturday
Milad-un-Nabi / Id-e-Milad	September 05	Friday
Gandhi Jayanti	October 02	Thursday
Dussehra	October 02	Thursday
Diwali (Deepavali)	October 20	Monday
Guru Nanak’s Birthday	November 05	Wednesday
Christmas Day	December 25	Thursday

List of Non-Gazetted or Restricted Holidays in India 2025

Restricted holidays (also called optional holidays) are not mandatory. Employees can choose a limited number of these based on religious or cultural preferences.

Here’s the list of restricted holidays for 2025:

Holiday	Date	Day
New Year’s Day	January 01	Wednesday
Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday	January 06	Monday
Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Hazrat Ali’s Birthday	January 14	Tuesday
Basant Panchami / Sri Panchami	February 02	Sunday
Guru Ravi Das’s Birthday	February 12	Wednesday
Shivaji Jayanti	February 19	Wednesday
Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s Birthday	February 23	Sunday
Holika Dahan	March 13	Thursday
Dolyatra	March 14	Friday
Jamat-Ul-Vida	March 28	Friday
Gudi Padwa / Ugadi / Cheti Chand	March 30	Sunday
Ram Navami	April 06	Sunday
Vaisakhi/Vishu	April 13	Sunday
Tamil New Year’s Day	April 14	Monday
Bengali New Year / Bohag Bihu	April 15	Tuesday
Easter Sunday	April 20	Sunday
Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday	May 09	Friday
Rath Yatra	June 27	Friday
Raksha Bandhan	August 09	Saturday
Parsi New Year/Janmashtami (Smarta)	August 15	Friday
Ganesh Chaturthi	August 27	Wednesday
Onam	September 05	Friday
Dussehra (Saptami)	September 29	Monday
Dussehra (Mahashtami)	September 30	Tuesday
Dussehra (Mahanavami)	October 01	Wednesday
Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday	October 07	Tuesday
Karwa Chauth	October 10	Friday
Naraka Chaturdashi	October 20	Monday
Govardhan Puja	October 22	Wednesday
Bhai Dooj	October 23	Thursday
Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi)	October 28	Tuesday
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day	November 24	Monday
Christmas Eve	December 24	Wednesday

Suggested Read: Indian Holiday Calendar 2025

Gazetted vs. Central Government Holidays

Many people assume that gazetted holidays and central government holidays are one and the same—but that’s not quite true. While all gazetted holidays are central government holidays, not all central holidays are gazetted. Let’s break it down clearly so there’s no confusion.

Feature	Gazetted Holidays	Central Government Holidays
Definition	Mandatory holidays officially published in the Gazette of India.	Holidays applicable to central government offices include both gazetted and restricted holidays.
Mandatory for	All central and most state government employees.	Applies mainly to central government departments and ministries.
Types of Holidays	Fixed and compulsory (e.g., Republic Day, Independence Day).	Includes both gazetted (compulsory) and restricted (optional) holidays.
Declared by	Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (DoPT).	Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Leave Requirement	Employees are granted mandatory leave.	May or may not be compulsory—restricted holidays depend on employee choice.
Examples	Republic Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas Day, and Diwali.	Includes all gazetted holidays plus 2–3 optional holidays from the restricted list.

Quick Insight: Think of gazetted holidays as official nationwide holidays that cannot be skipped, while central government holidays include both the must-observe and choose-your-own kind.

Difference Between Gazetted & Non-Gazetted Holidays

Understanding the difference between gazetted and non-gazetted holidays helps employees and employers navigate official leave schedules correctly. Here’s a simple, to-the-point comparison:

Aspect	Gazetted Holidays	Non-Gazetted (Restricted) Holidays
Definition	Officially declared holidays by the government	Optional holidays: employees can choose a few to observe
Applicability	Mandatory for all government offices and institutions	Not mandatory; depends on individual preference
Total Number (2025)	17 major holidays	Up to 2–3 can be selected from a list of 30+ optional days
Leave Type	Paid leave automatically granted	Employee must apply in advance for leave
Examples	Republic Day, Diwali, Eid, Christmas	Holika Dahan, Onam, Rath Yatra, Karwa Chauth
Attendance Requirement	Offices remain closed	Offices remain open; only those who opt for leave are absent
Declared By	Central/State Governments	Central/State Governments (optional category)
Common in	Government offices, banks, schools, and courts	Mostly for cultural, regional, or religious significance

Conclusion

Gazetted holidays in India serve as more than just days off—they’re official acknowledgments of the country’s cultural, religious, and national milestones. The 2025 calendar brings a well-rounded mix of national events, religious festivals, and region-specific celebrations that are recognized and respected across workplaces, especially within the government sector.

These holidays not only honor important historical and religious occasions but also help foster unity and inclusiveness among India’s diverse communities.

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