What is Restricted Holiday? - Restricted Holidays List 2026

What is Restricted Holidays?

A restricted holiday is flexible, optional paid time off that employees can choose from a list of cultural and religious festivals. On restricted holidays, the organization operates as usual. Still, employees can utilize the restricted holiday as their paid time off.

In some companies, restricted holidays are also known as optional holidays. Employees can decide to take time off on the days from the list of optional holidays shared by the HR team via the leave management system.

List of Restricted Holidays in India 2026

The following is the list of restricted holidays in 2026 released by the central government of India. The restricted holidays apply to employees who belong to cultures or religions known to celebrate particular festivals and can take leave on these days.

Top 6 Restricted Holiday Rules Every Employee Should Know

The rules for restricted holidays can vary across organizations and countries. Before finalizing the list of restricted holidays, employers go through some rules and regulations.

Here are some common rules and guidelines that may apply to restricted holidays:

➔ Discretionary Nature

Restricted holidays are optional and discretionary, meaning employees may choose to use them or not.

➔ Advanced Notice

Employees typically need to provide advance notice to their employer if they intend to take a restricted holiday.

➔ Limited Number

There is usually a limit on the number of restricted holidays an employee can avail of in a given year.

➔ Eligibility Criteria

Organizations may establish eligibility criteria for employees to take restricted holidays.

➔ Management Approval

Employees are generally required to obtain management approval for taking a restricted holiday.

➔ Documentation

Employees may be required to provide documentation or evidence related to the purpose or nature of the restricted holiday.

How many restricted holidays can an employee take in a year?

The number of restricted holidays is variable countrywide. Besides, the number of restricted holidays one employee can take is solely dependent on the organisation’s decision, policies, and other establishments.

If we take some scenarios like in the European Union, employees get a minimum of 20 paid leaves per year. While in the united states, there is no federal law for providing paid time off.

In India, national holidays, which are technically restricted holidays for all, are scheduled at the beginning of the year.

In India, there are

• 3 National Holidays
• 2 Restricted Holidays/optional holidays,
• 14 Gazetted Holidays available to them as time off.

Difference between a Gazetted and a Restricted Holiday

A Gazetted Holiday (GH) is a government-declared mandatory holiday on which eligible establishments are required to close for all employees. In contrast, a Restricted Holiday (RH) is an optional holiday that employees can choose from an approved list, subject to company policy and managerial approval. At the same time, the organization continues its normal operations.

Here is a table that will help you understand the detailed difference between Gazetted and Restricted Holidays,