The administrative departments of the Gujarat government will remain closed for a period of eight days – from October 19 to 26 – during Diwali festivities to allow officials "to spend time with their families", in lieu of two working Saturdays in the following months. This is the first time that the government has notified such a long break for all its employees, senior officials said. In a notification issued on October 7, the General Administration Department declared holidays on two working days - October 21 and October 24 - for its employees and announced that one Saturday each in November and December would be regular working days to compensate for the two additional holidays. The notification stated, "The official Diwali public holiday falls on Monday, October 20, 2025, followed by New Year’s Day on Wednesday, October 22, and Bhai Bij on Thursday, October 23. These holidays are followed by the regular days off on account of the fourth Saturday on October 25 and Sunday on October 26. However, Tuesday, October 21, and Friday, October 24, are regular working days in between the public holidays." "With the intention that the government officials and employees can celebrate the Diwali festivities, in their native places with their families, it has been decided that all government offices—including Panchayat offices and State Government Boards and Corporations—will remain closed on both October 21 (Tuesday) and October 24 (Friday)," the notification added. However, as October 19 (Sunday) is a regular day off, the government employees have an uninterrupted leave for eight days during Diwali. The notification states that in lieu of the extended holidays, all government offices will remain open on November 8 and December 13- both second Saturdays of the consecutive months, which would otherwise be a regular day off for the government offices. The notification also clarified that the decision has been taken for the convenience of officers and employees in view of the festival and would apply to all departments under the state government. The decision, the government notification states, has not been taken under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which confers powers on governments to declare public holidays for institutions. 17-day break for HC Just like the state government, the Diwali vacation in the Gujarat High Court will commence on Friday, October 17 as the state government has earlier notified two additional Diwali holidays - October 17 and 18 for the court. While the Diwali break of the HC ends October 30, the court proceedings will resume on November 3 as October 31 (Friday) is a public holiday on account of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti, followed by the regular weekend on Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2.
