Gazetted vs Restricted vs Bank Holidays in India: The Legal and HR Guide

In India, official public holidays are governed by circulars issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. ### 1. Gazetted Holidays (Mandatory Closed Days) The Government of India mandates 17 Gazetted Holidays for Central Government administrative offices. - **Three Compulsory National Holidays**: Republic Day (26 Jan), Independence Day (15 Aug), and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct). - **Fourteen Additional Gazetted Days**: Including Diwali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Good Friday, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, and Christmas. ### 2. Restricted Holidays (Optional RH) In addition to 17 compulsory gazetted holidays, employees may choose up to **2 Restricted Holidays (RH)** each calendar year from a list of optional festivals and observances. ### 3. Bank Holidays Bank holidays are officially notified state-wise under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 by the Reserve Bank of India and state administration departments.