What are National Holidays?

Being a culturally diverse nation, India celebrates various holidays and festivals, although there are just three national holidays, which include Independence Day, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (October 2) and the Republic Day.

States and regions have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics.The annual holidays are widely observed by state and local governments; however, they may alter the dates of observance or add or subtract holidays according to local custom.

While having so many Government Holidays kept in line with the idea of peaceful co-existence of all religions, there have been demands from various public bodies that the system of a multitude of religious holidays is hampering economic activities to a great extent.

The past two Central Government Pay Commissions have recommended the abolition of all Central holidays on religious festivals, and instead, substitute with the three national holidays. It was also rec mmended to increase the amount of existing restricted holidays (optional) depending on one's religious persuasion from existing two to eight.

Central and State governments in India issue list of holidays to be observed in respective government offices during the respective year. The list is divided into two parts: Gazetted holidays, restricted holidays.