Guides

Holidays in India: A Guide for HR Professionals

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Resources
  4. »
  5. Knowledge Center
  6. »
  7. Holidays in India: A Guide for HR Professionals

India’s rich cultural diversity brings vibrant celebrations and numerous holidays throughout the year. While these occasions strengthen our sense of community and culture, they also add complexity for HR professionals tasked with planning the annual holiday calendar. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding holidays in India, their implications for the workplace, and how StoHRM can help streamline the process.

The Role of HR in Holiday Planning

As an HR professional, designing a well-rounded holiday policy is one of your key responsibilities at the start of the calendar year. However, it’s not as simple as it may seem. A balanced holiday calendar requires careful consideration of the government’s gazetted holiday lists, national holidays, and optional leave options. Ensuring that this policy reflects both legal requirements and cultural inclusivity is crucial.

Let’s break down the major types of holidays in India and their relevance in your HR policies.

National Holidays in India: The Non-Negotiable Days

National holidays are days of universal significance when the entire country pauses to commemorate landmark events. These holidays are mandatory for all employees, including those in private companies.

Key National Holidays:

Restricted Holidays: Flexibility for Employees

Examples of Restricted Holidays:

• Eid-Ul-Fitr
• Easter
• Diwali
• Christmas
• Chhath Puja
• Sri Ram Navami

National vs. Restricted Holidays: Key Differences

Aspect

National Holidays

Restricted Holidays

Mandatory

Yes

No

Examples

Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti

Eid-Ul-Fitr, Diwali, Easter

Applicability

All organizations

Optional for employees

Cultural Flexibility

Limited

High

Why Does a Holiday Calendar Matter?

A thoughtfully designed holiday calendar does more than just tick legal boxes—it fosters employee satisfaction, cultural respect, and organizational efficiency.

Key Benefits:

How StoHRM Can Help

Crafting a perfect holiday calendar can be daunting, but StoHRM simplifies the process with its intuitive and automated solutions. Here’s how:

Key Features of StoHRM:

With StoHRM, holiday planning becomes a hassle-free, streamlined process that benefits both employees and HR teams.

Conclusion

Simplify Holiday Planning with StoHRM

Creating an inclusive, balanced holiday calendar is vital for employee morale, cultural sensitivity, and legal compliance. With StoHRM, you can automate and customize holiday planning, ensuring that your policies align with both organizational goals and employee expectations.

Let StoHRM be your partner in crafting HR solutions that celebrate diversity and enhance productivity. Ready to simplify holiday planning? Contact us today!

FAQs

Yes, all private companies must grant leave on Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.

The number varies, but offering 2–5 optional holidays allows flexibility without disrupting workflows.

This depends on your organization’s policy. Most companies do not allow carry-forward for optional holidays.

StoHRM automates the creation of holiday calendars, integrates legal compliance, and offers flexibility for employees to choose their optional holidays.

Yes, especially for organizations with a diverse workforce spread across multiple locations. Recognizing regional holidays fosters inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity.

Interested in learning more?

Request a demo to see how StoHRM can work for your business.