National & festival holidays · Puducherry

Puducherry National & festival holidays

The paid national and festival holidays employers must give in Puducherry: 8 a year, who is covered and what applies if staff work on one.

Paid holidays a year

In all
8
National
5
Festival
3
Covers shops
Yes

The law

Act
The Puducherry Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1964
Factories
Yes
Shops and establishments
Yes
Plantations
No
Who is eligible
Festival holidays: 30 days' service within a continuous period of 90 days immediately before the holiday. National holidays: from the first day of service.
Paid holidays in a year
  • National holidays
    Number
    5
    Which days
    26 January (Republic Day); 1 May (May Day); 15 August (Independence Day); 16 August (De Jure Transfer Day); 2 October (Gandhi Jayanti)
  • Festival holidays
    Number
    3
    Which days
    As specified in the schedule.
  • Total in a year
    Number
    8

If staff work on a holiday

Pay or time off
Twice the wages, or wages for the day and a substituted holiday with wages on another day
Time limit for the day off
Not specified
Notice to the Inspector
Notice must be sent to the Inspector when an employee is made to work on a holiday.
Forms and registers
Form VI
Penalty
Fine up to ₹25 for the first offence and up to ₹250 for a second or later offence (section 8).

Last checked 23 October 2026. Rates and rules change: ask us to confirm before you rely on them.

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