Public holidays in India hold both cultural and professional importance. For employees, they are a chance to rest, celebrate festivals, and plan family time. For businesses, they are essential for payroll planning, project deadlines, and compliance with labour laws.
Since India is a diverse country, holidays differ from state to state. However, some—like Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali, and Christmas are widely observed nationwide.
In this guide, we’ve compiled the public holidays from October to December 2025, including festival holidays, government holidays, bank holidays, and long weekends 2025. This holiday calendar will help HR teams, employers, and employees plan smarter.
Why Holiday Planning Matters for Businesses & Employees
- For HR Teams
Holiday planning helps HR teams prepare accurate leave calendars in advance. Payroll cycles, attendance records, and statutory compliance stay smooth. For example, if October 2025 public holidays fall near the month-end, HR can adjust salary disbursement timelines. - For Employers
Proper holiday planning prevents project delays. Employers can schedule meetings, deliverables, and client calls around festival holidays 2025, like Diwali or the Christmas 2025 holiday, ensuring operations remain uninterrupted. - For Employees
Employees benefit by planning vacations, family functions, or getaways around long weekends in 2025. This improves work-life balance, reduces burnout, and boosts productivity. - For Businesses
Compliance with state-specific Shops & Establishments Acts is mandatory. Publishing a transparent holiday calendar for 2025 builds trust and avoids disputes.
Read here: Why startups need HRMS software
Upcoming Long Weekends: October–December 2025
Long weekends are the perfect way to balance work and personal life. With smart planning, employees can enjoy extended breaks without exhausting too many leave days. Here are some of the most exciting long weekends in 2025 to look forward to:
- 2nd–5th October 2025 (Thursday–Sunday) → A four-day weekend combining the Gandhi Jayanti, Navratri, and Dussehra 2025 holidays. Ideal for festive celebrations or short family trips.
- 8th–10th November 2025 (Saturday–Monday) → The Diwali 2025 holiday date aligns with Bhai Dooj, giving a three-day festive weekend filled with lights, traditions, and celebrations.
- 25th–28th December 2025 (Thursday–Sunday) → Starting with the Christmas 2025 holiday and rolling into the weekend, employees can extend this break with one optional leave to celebrate the New Year 2025 holiday stress-free.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the holiday calendar 2025 and plan vacations early. Booking travel tickets in advance and aligning team schedules ensures both employees and businesses can make the most of the year-end holidays in 2025.
Final Thoughts
India’s diversity is beautifully reflected in its 2025 public holiday calendar. From Gandhi Jayanti in October and Diwali in November to Christmas and New Year holidays in December 2025, each holiday carries cultural as well as professional significance. For businesses, especially startups and SMEs, tracking holidays is not just about time off—it’s about better planning, compliance, and employee satisfaction.
Using tools like Clan HRMS, companies can easily manage holiday calendars for 2025, automate leave tracking, and ensure smooth payroll processing around festive breaks. This saves time for HR teams, keeps employees happy, and helps organizations stay compliant with government holidays in 2025 across states.
Whether you’re an employee planning vacations or an employer managing workflows, staying ahead with a structured holiday calendar for 2025 ensures productivity and peace of mind.
FAQs on Public Holidays in India
Q1: Are public holidays the same across India?
No, apart from 3 national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti), holidays differ by state and culture.
Q2: How many paid holidays are employees entitled to?
This depends on the Shops & Establishments Act of each state. Typically, 8–12 public holidays per year are declared.
Q3: Can companies decide their own holiday calendar?
Yes, companies can prepare an annual holiday list, but it must include mandatory national and state holidays.
Q4: Is Diwali a compulsory holiday in India?
Yes, most states mandate Diwali (Deepavali) as a paid holiday.
Q5: How can businesses manage holiday calendars efficiently?
Using an HRMS or leave management software helps automate holiday tracking, payroll, and compliance.
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