There are as many as eleven public holidays, according to the circular issued by the government on December 12, 2023. There are three bank holidays, but not for the employees. And the list of optional holidays goes to 22.

But the government has clarified that in the case of Muslim festivals, the dates of holidays are based on anticipated dates and are subject to the appearance of moon.

Moreover, government servants intending to seek optional holidays have to take prior permission from their head of office concerned. “No government servant shall be granted more than one optional holiday in the case of Muslims and three optional holidays for Non-Muslims in a calendar year,” it said.

Public holidays

Source: Cabinet Division notification

Bank holidays

Source: Cabinet Division notification

Optional holidays

Source: Cabinet Division notification

“A government servant should not ordinarily be refused an Optional Holiday that is of religious significance and the refusal is likely to decrease the number of such holidays to which he/she is entitled,” it said.