2025 Public Holidays: 17 Mandatory Days Off for Government Offices, Plus Optional Leave for Cultural Observances
In 2025, the Indian government has announced a total of 17 mandatory gazetted holidays for all central government offices, ensuring employees and students in public institutions receive official days off to observe major national and religious events. Additionally, there is a list of 34 restricted holidays, from which employees can select three optional leaves to celebrate other religious or cultural occasions according to personal preference. This setup offers flexibility and inclusivity for diverse cultural observances.
Key Gazetted Holidays in 2025
The 17 mandatory holidays include:
- Republic Day - January 26 (Sunday)
- Maha Shivaratri - February 26 (Wednesday)
- Holi - March 14 (Friday)
- Eid-ul-Fitr - March 31 (Monday)
- Mahavir Jayanti - April 10 (Thursday)
- Good Friday - April 18 (Friday)
- Buddha Purnima - May 12 (Monday)
- Id-ul-Adha (Bakrid) - June 7 (Saturday)
- Muharram - July 6 (Sunday)
- Independence Day - August 15 (Friday)
- Janmashtami - August 16 (Saturday)
- Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad) - September 5 (Friday)
- Gandhi Jayanti - October 2 (Thursday)
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami) - October 2 (Thursday)
- Diwali - October 20 (Monday)
- Guru Nanak Jayanti - November 5 (Wednesday)
- Christmas Day - December 25 (Thursday)
Optional Restricted Holidays
Central employees can also select three holidays from a list of 34 restricted options, such as:
- New Year’s Day - January 1 (Wednesday)
- Makar Sankranti/Pongal - January 14 (Tuesday)
- Ram Navami - April 16 (Sunday)
- Ganesh Chaturthi - August 27 (Wednesday)
- Bhai Dooj - October 23 (Thursday)
This blend of gazetted and optional holidays allows employees to tailor their holiday schedule to fit both mandatory and personal observances, supporting cultural diversity within the workplace.
