What Is a Holiday Calendar?
A holiday calendar is a formally published, annual document listing all the paid holidays an organization observes during a given year — typically distinguishing between mandatory national/gazetted holidays and optional/restricted holidays employees can choose from.
Types of Holidays Typically Included
- National holidays — such as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, observed uniformly across India
- Gazetted/mandatory regional holidays — state or region-specific mandatory holidays as notified by the respective state government
- Restricted/optional holidays — a list of festival days from which employees can select a limited number based on personal preference
Why the Holiday Calendar Varies by Location in India
Since many holidays are notified at the state level and India's diverse religious and cultural landscape means significant regional variation in observed festivals, multi-location companies typically publish location-specific holiday calendars rather than a single uniform national list, ensuring compliance with applicable state Shops & Establishments Act requirements.
Best Practices for Publishing a Holiday Calendar
- Publish the calendar well in advance (typically at the start of the calendar or financial year) to support employee planning
- Clearly distinguish mandatory holidays from optional/restricted holidays
- Ensure the calendar complies with the minimum mandatory holiday requirements under applicable state law for each office location
- Make the calendar easily accessible through the HRMS or company intranet
Holiday Calendar: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the holiday calendar the same across all Indian states?
Can an employee work on a listed public holiday?
This glossary entry is for general information and reflects common HR practice in India at the time of writing. Statutory thresholds, rates and deadlines change — verify against the latest official notifications or consult a qualified legal or tax advisor before acting.