Public Holidays in India 2025: Full List, Dates, and Significance
Discover the complete list of public holidays in India for 2025, including national holidays, festivals, and bank holidays. Plan your year with dates, significance, and holiday highlights.
Updated : 16 hours ago
Public Holidays in India 2025: Your Ultimate Guide
India’s vibrant culture shines through its public holidays, blending national pride, religious festivities, and regional traditions. In 2025, expect a mix of fixed national holidays like Republic Day and dynamic festival dates like Diwali. This guide provides a full list of public holidays in India for 2025, their dates, and significance to help you plan vacations, events, or simply enjoy the celebrations.
National Holidays in India 2025
India observes three key national holidays annually, celebrated across the country with official closures and events. Here’s what to expect in 2025:
| Holiday | Date | Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | January 26, 2025 | Sunday | Marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950 with parades and flag-hoisting ceremonies. |
| Independence Day | August 15, 2025 | Friday | Commemorates India’s independence from British rule in 1947 with nationwide celebrations. |
| Gandhi Jayanti | October 2, 2025 | Thursday | Honors Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, promoting peace and non-violence. |
Major Festival Holidays in India 2025
Festival holidays in India vary by lunar or religious calendars, making dates shift annually. Below are key festivals for 2025 (dates are tentative, subject to lunar sightings):
| Festival | Tentative Date | Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti | January 14, 2025 | Tuesday | Celebrates the sun’s transition into Capricorn, marked by kite-flying and harvest festivities. |
| Maha Shivratri | February 26, 2025 | Wednesday | Dedicated to Lord Shiva with fasting, prayers, and night-long vigils. |
| Holi | March 14, 2025 | Friday | The festival of colors, symbolizing spring, love, and the triumph of good over evil. |
| Ram Navami | April 6, 2025 | Sunday | Celebrates Lord Rama’s birth with prayers and processions. |
| Mahavir Jayanti | April 10, 2025 | Thursday | Marks the birth of Lord Mahavira, a key figure in Jainism. |
| Raksha Bandhan | August 9, 2025 | Saturday | Celebrates sibling bonds with the tying of protective threads (rakhis). |
| Janmashtami | August 16, 2025 | Saturday | Honors Lord Krishna’s birth with fasting, dances, and temple festivities. |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | August 27, 2025 | Wednesday | Welcomes Lord Ganesha with idols, prayers, and grand immersions. |
| Dussehra | October 2, 2025 | Thursday | Marks Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, celebrated with Ramlila and effigy burning. |
| Diwali | October 20, 2025 | Monday | The festival of lights, symbolizing prosperity and the victory of light over darkness. |
| Christmas | December 25, 2025 | Thursday | Celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth with church services and festive cheer. |
Here Are Other More Important Festival Holidays
| Full List | Dates | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 (Wednesday) | Celebration of the first day of the Gregorian calendar year. |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | January 5 (Sunday) | Birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. |
| Lohri | January 13 (Monday) | Punjabi folk festival celebrating the harvest of winter crops. |
| Pongal | January 14 (Tuesday) | Tamil harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. |
| Vasant Panchami | February 2 (Sunday) | Celebrates the arrival of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. |
| Holika Dahan | March 13 (Thursday) | Eve of Holi, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. |
| Ugadi / Gudi Padwa | March 30 (Sunday) | New Year for Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, and Konkani communities. |
| Eid al-Fitr | March 31 (Monday) | Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan. |
| Good Friday | April 18 (Friday) | Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. |
| Easter | April 20 (Sunday) | Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
| International Workers' Day | May 1 (Thursday) | Honors laborers and the working class. |
| Buddha Purnima | May 12 (Monday) | Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. |
| Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) | June 7 (Saturday) | Islamic festival commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. |
| Muharram | July 6 (Sunday) | Islamic New Year and a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. |
| Independence Day | August 15 (Friday) | Marks India's independence from British rule in 1947. |
| Milad-un-Nabi | September 5 (Friday) | Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Navratri | September 22 (Monday) - September 30 (Tuesday) | Nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. |
| Gandhi Jayanti | October 2 (Thursday) | Honors Mahatma Gandhi’s contributions to India's freedom movement. |
| Dussehra | October 12 (Sunday) | Celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. |
| Diwali | October 31 (Friday) | The festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | November 15 (Saturday) | Celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. |
| Christmas | December 25 (Thursday) | Celebrated with joy, gifts, and midnight masses. |
Bank Holidays in India 2025
In addition to public holidays, banks in India observe specific closures under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines. These include national holidays, some festivals, and regional observances. Check with local branches for state-specific holidays.
Plan Your 2025: Long Weekends and Travel Ideas
How to Make the Most of Public Holidays
Plan travel in advance: Flights and hotels tend to get booked quickly around major holidays.
Engage in cultural experiences: Participate in local festivals to experience India’s vibrant traditions.
Balance work and personal life: Utilize holidays for relaxation and family time.
Budget for Festive Expenses: Many holidays involve gifting, travel, and shopping, so financial planning is key.
Long Weekends in 2025
For those planning getaways, here are some notable long weekends in 2025:
- January 25-27: Republic Day Weekend
- March 14-16: Holi Weekend
- April 12-14: Vaisakhi Weekend
- August 15-17: Independence Day Weekend
- October 2-5: Gandhi Jayanti Weekend
- December 25-28: Christmas Weekend
With holidays like Independence Day (Friday) and Diwali (Monday) in 2025, you can enjoy long weekends. Pair Republic Day with a trip to Delhi for the parade, or plan a Diwali getaway to Jaipur for its illuminated markets.
FAQs About Public Holidays in India 2025
When is Diwali in 2025?
Diwali is tentatively scheduled for October 20, 2025, though the exact date may vary based on the lunar calendar.
Is Republic Day 2025 a working day?
No, Republic Day on January 26, 2025, is a national holiday with government offices, schools, and banks closed.
Which holidays in 2025 offer long weekends?
Notable long weekends include Independence Day (August 15, Friday) and Diwali (October 20, Monday).
Are bank holidays the same as public holidays?
Not always—banks follow RBI guidelines, which include national holidays plus additional closures like second and fourth Saturdays.
More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Public Holidays in India 2025
1. How many public holidays are there in India in 2025?
India has a mix of national, state, and religious holidays. In 2025, there are approximately 20 major public holidays recognized nationwide, with additional holidays depending on the state.
2. Is Republic Day a mandatory holiday in India?
Yes, Republic Day (January 26) is a mandatory national holiday in India, celebrated across the country with official parades and flag hoisting ceremonies.
3. Do all states in India observe the same public holidays?
No, apart from national holidays, each state in India has its own set of public holidays based on regional festivals and customs.
4. Why do Eid and Diwali holidays change dates every year?
Both Eid and Diwali follow lunar calendars. Eid is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, while Diwali follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar, causing the dates to shift annually.
5. Are banks closed on all public holidays in India?
Banks are closed on national holidays and most regional holidays, but specific closures depend on the state and RBI guidelines.
6. What are the major Hindu festivals that are public holidays?
Some major Hindu festivals that are public holidays include Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Navratri, and Makar Sankranti.
7. Is Christmas a public holiday in all Indian states?
Yes, Christmas (December 25) is a national holiday in India and is observed in all states.
8. What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is usually not moved to a weekday. However, private companies may provide compensatory leave.
9. Do businesses and government offices close on public holidays?
Yes, government offices and most businesses remain closed on national public holidays. However, essential services such as hospitals and police stations remain operational.
10. Can private companies decide their own holiday schedules?
Yes, private companies can determine their own holiday schedules, but they usually provide leave for major national and regional holidays.
Conclusion:
Public holidays in India offer a perfect blend of cultural celebrations, historical significance, and leisure opportunities. Whether you are planning a celebration or a vacation, this list ensures you never miss an important date. Bookmark this guide and start planning your 2025 holiday calendar today! Which holiday are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
