The Central Government has officially released the gazetted and restricted holiday list for 2025, outlining the days when government offices will remain closed nationwide. This announcement, managed by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, provides much-needed clarity for government institutions, private organizations, and individuals preparing their schedules for the upcoming year.

The holiday calendar divides the observances into two categories: gazetted holidays and restricted holidays, reflecting the nation’s cultural and religious diversity. While gazetted holidays are mandatory across all government institutions, restricted holidays allow employees to choose up to two days based on personal or cultural preferences.

Gazetted Holidays
The 2025 list of gazetted holidays includes 17 national, cultural, and religious occasions. These holidays are uniformly observed across the country, ensuring consistent closures of government offices.

Here’s the list of gazetted holidays for 2025:
Republic Day (January 26, Sunday)
Maha Shivaratri (February 26, Wednesday)
Holi (March 14,Friday)
Id-ul-Fitr (March 31, Monday)
Mahavir Jayanti (April 10, Thursday)
Good Friday (April 18, Friday)
Budha Purnima (May 12, Monday)
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) (June 7, Saturday)
Muharram (July 6, Sunday)
Independence Day (August 15, Friday)
Janmashtami (August 16, Saturday)
Milad-un-Nabi (Id-e-Milad) (September 5, Friday)
Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra (October 2, Thursday)
Diwali (October 20, Monday)
Guru Nanak’s Birthday (November 5, Wednesday)
Christmas Day (December 25, Thursday)

Restricted Holidays
In addition to gazetted holidays, employees can select two days from a list of 34 restricted holidays. These optional holidays cater to personal preferences, religious beliefs, or cultural practices and may vary depending on organizational policies.

Some notable restricted holidays include:
New Year’s Day (January 1, Wednesday)
Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday (January 6, Monday)
Makar Sankranti /Magha Bihu /Pongal (January 14, Tuesday)
Basant Panchami (February 2, Sunday)
Guru Ravi Das’s Birthday (February 12, Wednesday)
Shivaji Jayanti (February 19, Wednesday)
Birthday of Swami Dayananda Saraswati (February 23, Sunday)
Holika Dahan (March 13, Thursday)
Dolyatra (March 14, Friday)
Ram Navami (April 16, Sunday)
Janmashtami (Smarta) (August 15, Friday)
Ganesh Chaturthi (August 27, Wednesday)
Onam or Thiruonam (September 5, Friday)
Dussehra (Saptami) (September 29, Monday)
Dussehra (Mahashtami) (September 30, Tuesday)
Dussehra (Mahanavmi) (October 1, Wednesday)
Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday (October 7, Tuesday)
Karwa Chauth (October 10, Friday)
Naraka Chaturdasi (October 20, Monday)
Govardhan Puja (October 22, Wednesday)
Bhai Duj (October 23, Thursday)
Pratihar Shashthi or Surya Shashthi (Chhat Puja) (October 28, Tuesday)
Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day (November 24, Monday)
Christmas Eve (December 24, Wednesday)

The holiday calendar reflects a thoughtful balance between national significance and individual choice, underscoring India’s diverse heritage. The gazetted holidays honour pivotal moments such as Independence Day and Republic Day, while restricted holidays enable people to celebrate festivals unique to their communities.

For organizations and individuals, this detailed list facilitates advanced planning for vacations, work schedules, and festive preparations. Private institutions often adapt this list to fit their specific operational needs while respecting employees’ personal choices.

Story first published: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 13:13 [IST]