Skip to main content
 
Flag of India
India
Country Main Image Credits
RuthChoi / shutterstock.com

Holidays & Observances in India

India is a large country in South Asia. It is the second most populated country in the world and has one of the fastest growing economies. Currently, there is a very uneven distribution of wealth in India, which means that the customs practiced by the people will vary depending on wealth. India is very culturally diverse, each region slightly different from the others. There are about 20 languages that have been given official status, with Hindi being the most common. Many people speak English as well, as it is often needed for business. India is also very religiously diverse. Most people practice Hindu or Islam, but people from every major religion reside in India and celebrate proudly. Religious festivals of all kinds are celebrated at all times of the year. Recently India has been greatly affected by western culture, picking up traditional holiday celebrations such as New Year’s Day from countries in the west.

View India Holiday Calendar

The Government of India classifies holidays in three categories: 

Gazetted Holidays - These are the holidays that are mandatory Public Holidays. There are 3 gazetted holidays that are national public holidays where all business must remain closed throughout the nation: Republic Day; Independence Day; and Gandhi Jayanti. Other gazetted holidays, schools, banks and government offices are closed and other businesses may choose to close. 

Restricted Holidays - Optional Holidays which means they are optional and employees have the option to have the day off. In India, with so much culture and religions and observances, there are a plethora of holidays and most businesses give a certain number of days off and the employees can choose which days they want to observe. 

State and Union territory holidays - Local to a region, state or territory 

View India Holiday Calendar

Country Observances

Holiday Date Country Holiday Observance Type Religion/Belief
Holi (Festival of Colors) Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Laylat Al-Qadr Religious/Beliefs Islam / Muslim
Eid AL-Fitr Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Islam / Muslim
Baisakhi Restricted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism, Sikhism
Rama Navami Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Mahavir Jayanti Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Jainism
Eid AL-Adha Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Islam / Muslim
Ashura Religious/Beliefs Islam / Muslim
Independence Day India Public, Gazetted
Raksha Bandhan Restricted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Janmashtami Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Ganesh Chaturthi Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Gandhi Jayanti Public, Gazetted Hinduism
Dussehra Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Karva Chauth Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism, Sikhism
Diwali Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Chhath Puja Restricted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Gurupurab Public, Gazetted Sikhism
Christmas Day Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Christianity
New Years Eve Popular
New Year's Day Popular
Pongal Restricted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Republic Day India Public
India Republic Day Public, Gazetted
Lunar (Chinese) New Year Religious/Beliefs, Popular Chinese / East Asian
Vasant Panchami Restricted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Valentine's Day Popular
Maha Shivaratri Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism
Ramadan Begins Religious/Beliefs Islam / Muslim
International Women's Day Popular
Holi (Festival of Colors) Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs Hinduism