Holidays in 2021 in India
India is a diverse country with 22 major languages spoken in India. Though India has 94% Hindus other important religions in India are Muslim, Christian, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. There are several religious holidays in India but only three national holidays. National holidays are observed throughout the country. States select their holidays on religious or historical significance. The central government and state government release a list of holidays every year. These are classified into restricted or gazetted holidays. Restricted holidays are optional holidays while gazetted holidays are mandatory. Private and Public sector banks in India release a list of holidays every year the holidays are state-specific holidays or national holidays.
1 Jan 2021 - New Year Day
- It falls on Friday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. A few of the public limited and private companies permits leave. However, government offices function as usual in pan-India. Many people take leave as they wish to take rest after the New Year bash.
13 Jan 2021 - Lohri
- It falls on Wednesday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. This day marks the end of the winter solstice. A few of the states in India permit as a holiday as consecutive days comes under festival occasion. The people belonging to Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities celebrate this festival by burning old materials of their home.
14 Jan 2021 - Pongal
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. The people belong to Hindu community celebrate this harvest festival all India.
14 Jan 2021 - Makar Sankranti
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. It marks the onset of long and hot summer days ahead. The Hindus pray to Sun God on this festival occasion. Most of the government, public, and private companies remain closed as a holiday.
15 Jan 2021 – Magh Bihu, Boghi or Kanuma Panduga
- It falls on Friday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. The Hindu people across India take leave to celebrate this harvest festival.
26 Jan 2021 - Republic Day
- It falls on Tuesday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. On this day in 1950, the Indian constitution came to the amendment. Hence, it is a compulsory holiday for state and central government offices. However, banks, educational institutes and limited and private companies do observe the holiday.
14 Feb 2021 - Valentine's Day
- It falls on Sunday, and it is observance day only in India. There is no holiday on this occasion. Moreover, it falls on Sunday, which is a holiday too.
16 Feb 2021 - Vasant Panchami
- It falls on Tuesday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. The Hindus belonging to the Indian Sub-continent may take a holiday to celebrate this spring season welcoming festival. /p>
14 Feb 2021 - Valentine's Day
- It falls on Sunday, and it is observance day only in India. There is no holiday on this occasion. Moreover, it falls on Sunday, which is a holiday too.
11 Mar 2021 - Maha Shivaratri
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. The Banks, educational institutes, State, Central Government bodies remain closed on this Hindu festival occasion.
29 Mar 2021 - Holi
- It falls on Monday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. Most of the Banks, educational institutes, state, and Central Government offices remain closed on this Hindu festival occasion.
1 Apr 2021 - Maundy Thursday
- It falls on Thursday, and it is an observance day for the people belonging to the Christian community.
2 Apr 2021 - Good Friday
- It falls on Friday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. Most of the Banks, educational institutes, state, and Central Government offices remain closed on this holy Friday occasion.
4 Apr 2021 - Easter Day
- It falls on Sunday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. The people belonging to Christian faith may take leave to attend mass at church.
6 Apr 2021 - Mahavir Jayanthi
- It falls on Monday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. The people belonging to Jain and Buddhist faith may take leave to attend prayer at Buddhist monasteries.
14 Apr 2021 - Ambedkar Jayanti
- It falls on Wednesday, and it is an observance day in India. The banks, educational institutions, state, and the Central Government offices remain closed on this Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.
21 Apr 2021 - Rama Navami
-It falls on Wednesday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. It is a Central Government holiday. However, people belonging to Vishnavik sects take off on the birthday of Lord Ram. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this day.
25 Apr 2021 - Mahavir Jayanti
- It falls on Sunday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. The banks, educational institutes, and Central Government office remain closed on the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.
1 May 2021 - May Dayy
-It falls on Saturday, and it is an observance day in India. The banks, educational institutions, state, and the Central Government offices remain closed on this labour’s day.
7 May 2021 - Jamat Ul-Vida
-It falls on Friday, and it is a restricted holiday in India. The people belonging to the Islam community in India take a holiday to celebrate this holy Friday as per the Islamic calendar.
9 May 2021 - Mother's Day
-It falls on Sunday and is an observance day in India. Those who have attained motherhood may take off to celebrate this occasion at home and event places.
13 May 2021 - Ramzan Id or Eid-ul-Fitar
-It falls on Thursday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. The banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this festival occasion.
26 May 2021 - Buddha Purnima
-It falls on Wednesday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. The banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on the birth anniversary of Lord Gautama Buddha.
20 Jun 2021- Father's Day
-It falls on Sunday and is an observance day in India. Those who have attained motherhood may take off to celebrate this occasion at home and event places.
21 Jun 2021 - June Solstice
-It falls on Monday and is observed as a season change only. There is no gazetted, restricted, and public holiday on this day.
20 Jul 2021 - Bakr Id or Eid ul-Adha
- It falls on Tuesday, and it is a gazetted holiday in India. All banks, educational institutions, the State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this Islamic festival.
1 Aug 2021 - Friendship Day
- It falls on Sunday, and it is an observance day in India. The people belonging to all communities may take a holiday on this special occasion.
15 Aug 2021 - Independence Day
- It falls on Sunday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this day.
16 Aug 2021 - Parsi New Year
-It falls on Monday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India. The people belonging to the Parsi community may take leave to celebrate their new year.
19 Aug 2021 - Muharram or Ashura
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. The people belonging to the Islam community may take leave to celebrate their festival occasion.
22 Aug 2021 - Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi
- It falls on Sunday, and it is a restricted and regional holiday day in India. The people belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities may take an off to celebrate this special occasion.
30 Aug 2021 - Janmashtami
- It falls on Monday, and it is an observance day and a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this day.
10 Sep 2021 - Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi
- It falls on Friday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this Hindu festival occasion.
23 Sep 2021 - September Equinox
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a seasonal observance only in India.
02 Oct 2021 - Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
- It falls on Saturday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on the birth anniversary of the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi.
12 Oct 2021 - Maha Saptami or Durga Ashtami
- It falls on Tuesday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India. The Hindu believers in Goddesses Durga may take an off to celebrate this festive occasion.
13 Oct 2021 - Maha Ashtami
- It falls on Wednesday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India. The Hindu believers in Goddesses Durga may take an off to celebrate this festive occasion.
14 Oct 2021 - Maha Navami
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India. The Hindu believers in Goddesses Durga may take an off to celebrate this festive occasion.
15 Oct 2021 - Dussehra
- It falls on Friday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this Hindu festival occasion.
19 Oct 2021 - Milad un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad
- It falls on Tuesday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this Islamic festival occasion.
20 Oct 2021 - Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
- It falls on Wednesday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
24 Oct 2021 - Karaka Chaturthi or Karva Chauth
- It falls on Sunday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
31 Oct 2021 - Halloween Day
- It falls on Sunday, and it is a seasonal observance only in India.
4 Nov 2021 - Naraka Chaturdasi
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
4 Nov 2021 - Diwali or Deepavali
- It falls on Thursday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this Hindu festival occasion.
5 Nov 2021 - Govardhan Puja
- It falls on Friday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
6 Nov 2021 - Bhai Duj
- It falls on Saturday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
10 Nov 2021 - Chhat Puja or Pratihar Sashthi or Surya Sashthi
- It falls on Wednesday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
19 Nov 2021 - Guru Nanak Jayanti
- It falls on Friday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this birthday anniversary day of Guru Nanak.
24 Nov 2021 - Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day
- It falls on Wednesday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
29 Nov 2021 - First Day of Hanukkah
- It falls on Monday, and it is a seasonal observance only in India.
6 Dec 2021 - Last day of Hanukkah
- It falls on Monday, and it is a seasonal observance only in India.
21 Dec 2021 December Solstice
- It falls on Tuesday, and it is a seasonal observance only in India.
24 Dec2021 Christmas Eve
- It falls on Friday, and it is a restricted holiday day in India.
25 Dec 2021 - Christmas
- It falls on Saturday, and it is a gazetted holiday day in India. All banks, educational institutions, State, and Central Government offices remain closed on this day.
31 Dec 2021 New Year's Eve
- It falls on Friday, and it is an observance day only in India. It is a restricted holiday in India.