2025 Holidays - India

India Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. General Observance

- Public holidays in India are established by national and state governments and are published in the official holiday calendars.

- These holidays are observed on the dates specified in the respective calendars, which may vary by region.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- In most cases, if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on that day.

- There is no statutory provision for automatically shifting a Sunday holiday to the following Monday; any substitute day off is determined by employer policy or by specific state government directives.

- Employees working on a Sunday public holiday may be entitled to premium pay or compensatory leave as per applicable labor regulations or contractual agreements.

3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, it is generally observed on that day.

- There is no automatic mechanism for shifting a Saturday holiday to another day unless specifically provided by a state government order or employer arrangement.

- Employees working on a Saturday holiday are entitled to additional compensation or compensatory time off in accordance with labor laws or company policies.

4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- India does not have a nationwide statutory system that automatically creates extra “bridge” days to extend a holiday into a long weekend.

- Any additional leave provided to extend a holiday period is determined by state-specific regulations, employer policies, or collective agreements.

- Some private sector companies or government bodies may choose to grant substitute leave to optimize work schedules, but this is not uniformly mandated.

5. Additional Notes

- Employers must adhere to the official holiday calendars applicable to their region.

- Employees working on a public holiday—whether on the original date or on any substitute day provided by an employer—are entitled to premium pay or compensatory time off as stipulated by applicable labor laws or collective agreements.

- For the most up-to-date and accurate information, always consult the latest official holiday calendar and any recent government announcements or legislative updates.