Anyone planning leave in India runs into the same question: the office calendar lists a holiday, but some entries seem optional and others do not. The distinction comes from how the government holiday list is structured, splitting observances into gazetted and restricted categories. This article explains what each term means, who decides them, and why the list on your desk may not match a colleague list in another state.
Please note: dayloxs.com is an independent informational website. We are not a government body and this article is not an official source. Holiday lists are issued each year by the Department of Personnel and Training and by individual state governments, and they can be revised. Always check the official notification for your central ministry, state or employer before making plans.
How the Government Holiday List Is Structured
For central government offices, holidays are notified annually and fall into two groups, along with a small set of days that are handled separately under other legislation.
Gazetted Holidays
Gazetted holidays are compulsory closed holidays. Central government offices are closed, and employees do not need to apply for anything. The list traditionally includes three national days that are fixed by statute, Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti, plus a set of other observances covering the major religious traditions. The total number of compulsory closed holidays for central government offices is generally around seventeen, though the composition can change.
Restricted Holidays
Restricted holidays, sometimes called optional holidays, work differently. A much longer list is published, and an employee may select a limited number from it, commonly two, taking those days off while the office itself remains open. The purpose is to accommodate the range of observances across communities without closing offices for all of them. Selection generally requires applying in advance in the normal way.
The Practical Difference
| Aspect | Gazetted | Restricted |
|---|---|---|
| Office status | Closed | Open |
| Application needed | No | Yes, usually in advance |
| Number available | All listed days | A limited choice, commonly two |
| Applies to | All employees | Only those who opt in |
| Typical list length | Around seventeen | Considerably longer |
Who Decides Which Holidays Apply to You
This is where most confusion arises, because several different authorities publish overlapping lists.
Central Government Offices
The Department of Personnel and Training issues the annual list for central government offices. Central government establishments located in a particular state may also observe some state holidays through their local coordination committees, so two central offices in different cities can differ.
State Governments
Each state publishes its own list, and these vary substantially. A regional observance that is a full closed holiday in one state may not appear at all in another. This is why a national list should never be assumed to apply to a state government office.
Banks and the Negotiable Instruments Act
Bank holidays are a separate category, notified state by state under the Negotiable Instruments Act. A day can be a bank holiday without being a government office holiday, and the reverse also happens. Anyone depending on cheque clearing or branch access should check the banking list specifically rather than the general one.
Private Employers
Private companies set their own calendars, usually guided by the applicable state Shops and Establishments legislation, which typically mandates a minimum number of holidays including the three national days. Beyond that minimum, the selection is the employer decision, which is why holiday lists differ noticeably between companies in the same city.
Why Some Dates Are Confirmed Late
Lunar Observances Move
Many observances on these lists follow lunar or lunisolar calendars rather than the Gregorian one, so their dates shift each year. Diwali, Holi, Eid and several others are determined by lunar reckoning, which is why the published list changes shape annually. Our Indian festival calendar explainer covers why those dates move.
Moon Sighting and Short Notice
Certain observances, particularly Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha, depend on actual moon sighting, so the notified date can be confirmed only shortly beforehand. Official lists usually mark these as subject to change, and a state government may issue a corrigendum adjusting the date at short notice.
Local and Ad Hoc Closures
State governments can also declare additional closures for local events, elections or unforeseen circumstances. These do not appear on the annual list at all and are announced separately, which is another reason the official notification is the only reliable reference.
Checking Your Own Holiday List
- Identify which authority governs you: central government, a specific state, a bank, or a private employer.
- Find the official annual notification from that authority rather than a summary on a third party site.
- For restricted holidays, confirm how many you are entitled to select and the process for applying.
- Check the banking list separately if you have financial deadlines.
- Re-check any lunar observance closer to the date, since some are marked subject to confirmation.
If you also want to understand the traditional timing behind the festivals on these lists, our Panchang basics guide explains how those days are calculated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take all the restricted holidays on the list?
No. The published list is long, but employees may normally select only a limited number, commonly two in a year. The exact entitlement is stated in the notification that applies to your organisation.
Is a bank holiday the same as a government holiday?
Not necessarily. Bank holidays are notified separately under the Negotiable Instruments Act and vary by state. A day can be one without being the other, so check both if it matters to your plans.
Where should I check the official list?
For central government offices, the annual notification from the Department of Personnel and Training. For state offices, the notification from the relevant state general administration department. For banks, the Reserve Bank of India state wise list. For private employment, your own employer published calendar. This article is informational only and is not a substitute for those sources.