Railway Holiday Calendar 2025 OUT: Railway employees in India play a crucial role in keeping the country moving. Their hard work and dedication ensure that millions of passengers and goods reach their destinations safely every day. To acknowledge their service, the Indian Railways provides a structured holiday calendar. The Railway Holiday Calendar 2025 has been officially released, listing all the gazetted and restricted holidays for railway employees.
Understanding the holiday schedule is important for railway staff, as it helps them plan personal time, vacations, and essential commitments. In this guide, we break down the complete list of Indian Railways holidays in 2025, along with key highlights and official references.
Key Highlights of the Railway Holiday Calendar 2025
| Holiday Type | Description | Example Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Gazetted Holidays (Closed Holidays) | Public holidays mandated by the government; all railway offices remain closed. | Republic Day (Jan 26), Independence Day (Aug 15), Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2) |
| Restricted Holidays | Optional holidays that employees can avail based on their religious or personal preferences. | Christmas (Dec 25), Guru Nanak Jayanti (Nov 15), Holi (March 17) |
| Regional Holidays | Holidays that vary by railway zone based on local cultural significance. | Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Bihu (Assam), Onam (Kerala) |
| Compensatory Leave | Employees working on holidays can avail compensatory leave later. | Shift-based compensatory off for essential railway staff |
| Official Circular | Employees can check the official list of holidays on their respective railway zones’ websites. | Indian Railways Official Website |
The Railway Holiday Calendar 2025 provides essential information for railway employees to plan their work-life balance effectively. With a combination of gazette, restricted, and regional holidays, employees can ensure they schedule personal commitments while continuing their professional duties. For exact details, railway staff should always refer to their official railway zone notifications and HR portals.
List of Gazetted Holidays for Railway Employees in 2025
As per the official government notification, the following are the mandatory closed holidays for all railway employees in 2025:
- Republic Day – January 26 (Sunday)
- Holi – March 17 (Monday)
- Good Friday – April 18 (Friday)
- Id-ul-Fitr – March 31 (Monday)
- Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti – October 2 (Thursday)
- Dussehra – October 12 (Sunday)
- Diwali – October 31 (Friday)
- Christmas Day – December 25 (Thursday)
These holidays are uniformly observed across all railway offices and operations.
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Restricted Holidays for Railway Employees in 2025
In addition to gazetted holidays, railway employees can opt for restricted holidays, which vary based on personal preferences, religion, or cultural significance. Employees may choose two restricted holidays from the following list:
- Makar Sankranti – January 14 (Tuesday)
- Maha Shivaratri – February 28 (Friday)
- Holika Dahan – March 16 (Sunday)
- Ram Navami – April 6 (Sunday)
- Buddha Purnima – May 12 (Monday)
- Bakrid – June 7 (Saturday)
- Muharram – July 25 (Friday)
- Janmashtami – August 18 (Monday)
- Ganesh Chaturthi – September 9 (Tuesday)
- Guru Nanak Jayanti – November 15 (Saturday)
Employees must confirm the exact dates from their respective railway zones, as some dates may shift based on regional observations.
Regional Holidays in Different Railway Zones
Indian Railways operates across multiple zones, each catering to diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Apart from national holidays, railway zones recognize regional holidays. Here are some examples:
- Southern Railway (Chennai) – Pongal (January 15), Tamil New Year (April 14)
- Eastern Railway (Kolkata) – Durga Puja (October 9-12), Kali Puja (October 29)
- Western Railway (Mumbai) – Gudi Padwa (March 30), Ganesh Visarjan (September 17)
- North Eastern Railway (Gorakhpur) – Chhath Puja (November 7), Eid-e-Milad (October 6)
Railway employees should check their zone-specific circulars for the final list of holidays.
How to Check Official Railway Holiday Notifications?
Employees can verify their respective railway zone’s holiday lists through these sources:
- Indian Railways Official Website: https://indianrailways.gov.in
- Regional Railway Zone Websites: Each railway zone publishes its own circular regarding holiday schedules.
- Employee Portals & HR Notices: Official notifications are shared internally for confirmation.
Work and Leave Policy for Railway Employees
Railway employees follow a structured leave policy, ensuring that essential services continue uninterrupted. Here are some key leave policies:
- Casual Leave (CL): Short-term leave for personal work (12 days per year).
- Earned Leave (EL): Accrued leave for long-term breaks (up to 30 days per year).
- Medical Leave: Leave granted based on a medical certificate.
- Maternity/Paternity Leave: Special leave for expecting parents.
- Compensatory Leave: Employees working on holidays can apply for compensatory time-off.
FAQs
1. How many holidays do railway employees get in a year?
Railway employees receive national gazetted holidays (around 10-12 days), restricted holidays (2 personal choices), and regional holidays depending on their location.
2. Can railway employees choose their own holidays?
Employees can select from restricted holidays, allowing flexibility based on personal or religious preferences.
3. Are railway staff required to work on national holidays?
While administrative offices remain closed, essential railway services (train operations, stations, maintenance) continue on holidays. Employees working on these days receive compensatory leave or additional pay.
4. How can railway employees apply for holiday leave?
Employees must submit leave requests through their department’s HR system or railway employee portal, specifying restricted or compensatory leave options.
5. Where can I download the official holiday list?
Railway employees can download the holiday list from their respective railway zone websites or visit Indian Railways Official Website.
