Navigating the Holiday Landscape in India
The public holiday schedule for 2024 in India unfurls under the distinct banners of Gazetted, Restricted, and State and Union Territory classifications. Understanding the mosaic of holidays in India involves delving into the legislative tapestry that shapes them. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key laws governing holidays in the country:
Decoding the Legal Framework
- The Weekly Holidays Act, 1942
- The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
- The National and Festival Holidays Act, 1963
- The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1981
- The Companies Act, 2013
- The Shops and Commercial Establishments Act
Gazetted Holidays: Marking the Landmark Occasions
January
- January 26, Friday: Republic Day
March
- March 25, Monday: Holi
- March 29, Friday: Good Friday
April
- April 11, Thursday: Id-ul-Fitr
- April 17, Wednesday: Ram Navami
- April 21, Sunday: Mahavir Jayanti
- April 23, Tuesday: Hanuman Jayanti
May
- May 23, Thursday: Buddha Purnima
June
- June 17, Monday: Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
July
- July 17, Wednesday: Muharram
August
- August 15, Thursday: Independence Day
- August 26, Monday: Janmashtami
September
- September 16, Monday: Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
October
- October 2, Wednesday: Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday
- October 12, Saturday: Dussehra
- October 31, Thursday: Diwali
November
- November 15, Friday: Guru Nanak’s Birthday
December
- December 25, Wednesday: Christmas Day
Non-Gazetted/Restricted Holidays: A Tapestry of Cultural Celebrations
January
- January 1, Monday: New Year’s Day
- January 13, Saturday: Lohri
- January 14, Sunday: Makar Sankranti
- January 15, Monday: Pongal/Magha Bihu
- January 17, Wednesday: Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday
- January 25, Thursday: Hazrat Ali’s Birthday
February
- February 14, Wednesday: Basant Panchami
- February 19, Monday: Shivaji Jayanti
- February 24, Saturday: Guru Ravidas’ Birthday
March
- March 6, Wednesday: Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti
- March 8, Friday: Maha Shivratri
- March 24, Sunday: Holika Dahan
- March 31, Sunday: Easter Sunday
April
- April 5, Friday: Jamat-Ul-Vida
- April 9, Tuesday: Chaitra Sukladi/Gudi Padava/Ugadi/Cheti Chand
- April 13, Saturday: Vaisakhi
- April 14, Sunday: Meshadi (Tamil Nadu’s New Year’s Day)/ Vaisakhadi (Bengal) / Bahag Bihu (Assam)
May
- May 8, Wednesday: Guru Rabindranath’s Birthday
July
- July 7, Monday: Rath Yatra
August
- August 19, Monday: Raksha Bandhan
September
- September 7, Saturday: Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi
- September 15, Sunday: Onam or Thiru Onam Day
October
- October 10, Thursday: Dussehra (Maha Saptami)
- October 11, Friday: Dussehra (Maha Ashtami) / Dussehra (Maha Navmi)
- October 20, Sunday: Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chouth)
November
- November 2, Saturday: Govardhan Puja
- November 3, Sunday: Bhai Duj
- November 7, Thursday: Chhat Puja (Pratihar Sashthi or Surya Sashthi)
- November 24, Sunday: Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day
December
- December 24, Tuesday: Christmas Eve
In conclusion, navigating the tapestry of holidays in India involves understanding the intricacies of Gazetted, Restricted, and State and Union Territory classifications. With this comprehensive guide to the public holiday schedule in 2024, you can plan your year ahead and partake in the rich cultural and historical celebrations that mark the diverse fabric of India
