2025 Holiday Calendar: Balancing Tradition, Diversity, and Flexibility
The release of the 2025 gazetted and restricted holiday list by the Central Government is more than just an annual administrative exercise—it serves as a cultural compass for a diverse and pluralistic society like India. These holidays are not mere days off; they symbolize national pride, cultural heritage, and religious inclusivity. Gazetted holidays, mandated for all government institutions, underscore events of national and cultural importance, fostering a shared sense of identity and belonging. Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, for instance, remind us of our collective history and ideals. Similarly, holidays like Diwali, Eid, and Christmas celebrate the rich religious diversity that defines India. Their observance ensures uniformity, creating opportunities for collective reflection and celebration. Restricted holidays, on the other hand, embody individual agency within a framework of inclusivity. The provision to choose holidays based on personal significance ac...