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 |
| Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday | 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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Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by gazetted holiday?
A gazetted holiday is a government-declared mandatory public holiday listed in the official Gazette of India, during which most government offices and institutions remain closed.
How many gazetted holidays are there in India?
There are 17 gazetted holidays listed annually by the central government, though states may add more based on regional significance.
What is the difference between restricted and gazetted holidays?
Gazetted holidays are mandatory for all government institutions, while restricted holidays are optional and can be chosen by employees from a predefined list.
Is public holiday and gazetted holiday same?
Not always—while all gazetted holidays are public holidays, not all public holidays (like state holidays) are gazetted at the national level.
What is the full meaning of gazetted?
Gazetted refers to something that is officially published in the government’s Gazette, making it formal and legally recognized.
Are gazetted holidays mandatory for private companies?
Private companies are not legally bound to follow gazetted holidays but usually align with major ones like national holidays.
What is the difference between gazetted and non-gazetted?
Gazetted refers to positions or holidays published in the government gazette; non-gazetted are either not listed or are optional, like restricted holidays.
What is the difference between a national holiday and a gazetted holiday?
National holidays (e.g., Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) are a subset of gazetted holidays but are universally observed across India.
What is the difference between a closed holiday and a national holiday?
A closed holiday means full closure of government offices; national holidays are closed holidays observed across the entire country.
