India has just 3 mandatory national holidays, but the country’s 28 states and 8 union territories each declare their own gazetted holidays based on regional culture, religion, and history. An employee in Tamil Nadu expects Pongal and Chitra Purnima. A colleague in Kerala gets Onam and Vishu. Neither appears on the national list. For employers operating across India, this regional diversity creates one of the world’s most complex holiday landscapes.
This guide maps India’s national and state-specific gazetted holidays for 2026, helping you manage a distributed Indian workforce.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
Key Takeaways
- India has 3 mandatory national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti)
- Each state declares 10–15 additional gazetted holidays
- Employees choose 10–12 holidays per year from both national and state lists
- Religious and cultural holidays vary significantly by region
- The Shops and Establishments Act governs holiday requirements by state
National Holidays (All States)
These three holidays are compulsory across all states and union territories:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January | Monday |
| Independence Day | 15 August | Saturday |
| Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October | Friday |
National holidays are mandatory for all establishments. Shops and commercial establishments must remain closed, though essential services can operate with permission.
How India’s Holiday System Works
India’s framework has two layers:
- Gazetted holidays — mandatory for government offices and typically observed by private employers
- Restricted holidays — optional holidays employees can choose based on their religion or community
Under the Shops and Establishments Act (which varies by state), employees are entitled to a minimum number of paid holidays per year, typically 10–12. The employee selects from both gazetted and restricted holidays.
State-Specific Gazetted Holidays
North India
| State | Key Additional Gazetted Holidays |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Guru Nanak Jayanti, Holi, Id-ul-Fitr |
| Uttar Pradesh | Holi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Punjab | Baisakhi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Hola Mohalla |
| Haryana | Hola Mohalla, Haryana Day (1 November), Guru Purnima |
| Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Day (15 April), Kangra Dussehra |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Urs of Sheikh Noor-ud-din |
| Uttarakhand | State Foundation Day, Harela |
South India
| State | Key Additional Gazetted Holidays |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal, Tamil New Year (14 April), Milad-un-Nabi, Chitra Purnima |
| Karnataka | Karnataka Rajyotsava (1 November), Ugadi, Maha Shivaratri |
| Kerala | Onam, Vishu, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Milad-un-Nabi |
| Andhra Pradesh | Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami, Eid-ul-Fitr, Bonalu |
| Telangana | Bathukamma, Bonalu, Eid-ul-Fitr, Telangana Formation Day |
East India
| State | Key Additional Gazetted Holidays |
|---|---|
| West Bengal | Durga Puja (2–3 days), Eid-ul-Fitr, Rath Yatra |
| Odisha | Raja Parba, Jagannath Rath Yatra, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Bihar | Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Chhath Puja |
| Jharkhand | Karma Puja, Eid-ul-Fitr, Sarhul, State Foundation Day |
| Assam | Bihu (Bhogali, Rongali), Eid-ul-Fitr, Karma |
| Tripura | Kharchi Puja, Garia Puja, State Day |
West India
| State | Key Additional Gazetted Holidays |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Gujarat | Uttarayan (2 January), Navratri, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Rajasthan | Guru Purnima, Teej, Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Goa | Goa Liberation Day (19 December), Eid-ul-Fitr |
| Chhattisgarh | Harela, Karma, State Foundation Day |
Northeast India
| State | Key Additional Gazetted Holidays |
|---|---|
| Manipur | Yaoshang (Holi), Eid-ul-Fitr, Ningol Chakouba |
| Meghalaya | Nongkrem Dance, Shillong Autumn Festival |
| Nagaland | Hornbill Festival (1 December), Moatsu |
| Mizoram | Chapchar Kut, Pawl Kut |
| Tripura | Kharchi Puja, Garia Puja |
Common Religious Holidays by Region
| Holiday | North | South | East | West | Northeast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eid-ul-Fitr | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Eid-ul-Adha | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diwali | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Holi | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Christmas | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Buddha Purnima | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Onam | — | ✓ (KL) | — | — | — |
| Pongal | — | ✓ (TN) | — | — | — |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | — | ✓ (MH) | — | ✓ | — |
Restricted Holidays: Employee Choice
Restricted holidays allow employees to choose days off based on their personal religious or cultural observance. An employee in Tamil Nadu who is Muslim might choose Milad-un-Nabi as a restricted holiday. A Hindu employee in the same state might choose a regional festival.
Employers typically provide 2–3 restricted holidays in addition to the gazetted holidays. The employee selects from a list approved by the state government.
State Shops and Establishments Requirements
| State | Minimum Paid Holidays | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 12 | Including national holidays |
| Karnataka | 12 | Including national holidays |
| Tamil Nadu | 12 | Including national holidays |
| Delhi | 12 | Including national holidays |
| Gujarat | 12 | Including national holidays |
| West Bengal | 12 | Including national holidays |
| Kerala | 12 | Including national holidays |
Most states require 12 paid holidays per year, but the composition varies.
What This Means for Employers
Maintain Per-State Calendars
A single national calendar doesn’t cover your obligations. Map each employee to their state’s gazetted and restricted holidays.
Allow Restricted Holiday Selection
Let employees choose their restricted holidays from the state-approved list. This respects religious diversity and ensures compliance.
Track Holiday Usage
Monitor how many holidays each employee takes. The Shops and Establishments Act sets minimums, but employees may want more.
Handle Multi-State Operations
If you have employees in multiple states, you need per-state holiday calendars. A holiday that’s gazetted in Maharashtra may be restricted in Karnataka.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many holidays are Indian employees entitled to?
Under most state Shops and Establishments Acts, employees are entitled to 10–12 paid holidays per year. The exact number varies by state and includes national holidays, state gazetted holidays, and restricted holidays.
Can an employer reduce the number of holidays?
No. The minimum number of holidays is set by state law. You can offer more, but you cannot reduce below the statutory minimum.
Are national holidays mandatory for private employers?
Yes. The three national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) are mandatory for all establishments, including private employers.
How do restricted holidays work?
Restricted holidays are optional holidays that employees can choose based on their religion or personal observance. Employers must grant these when requested, within the limits set by your policy (typically 2–3 per year).
Do remote workers get state-specific holidays?
Yes. The state where the employee physically works determines their holiday entitlements. An employee working from Tamil Nadu is entitled to Pongal, even if your company is based in Maharashtra.