What’s closed on May Day 2025? Full list of shutdowns across India

India will mark May Day on Thursday, 1 May 2025, with widespread closures across several sectors and states in observance of International Labour Day and Maharashtra Day. The dual public holidays will affect banking operations, stock markets, educational institutions and other public services in multiple regions.

Stock markets to remain shut

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will remain closed for all trading activities on 1 May. There will be no operations in equities, equity derivatives, currency derivatives, or the securities lending and borrowing (SLB) segments. This marks one of the 14 scheduled market holidays listed under the NSE’s 2025 calendar.

Commodity trading on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will also be impacted. The exchange will stay closed during the morning session (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), but resume operations in the evening session from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for commodities like crude oil, gold and agricultural products.

Banks closed across multiple states

According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) holiday schedule, banking services will be suspended in several states on 1 May due to Labour Day. These include Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Assam, Manipur, Bihar and West Bengal. Both public and private sector banks will be shut in these regions.

While Maharashtra will observe a public holiday for both Labour Day and Maharashtra Day, Gujarat will not see bank closures, even though it also commemorates its statehood on this day.

Although branches will remain closed in many areas, digital banking, internet transactions and UPI services will continue as usual. Customers are advised to check with their local branch before making plans or significant transactions.

Schools, government offices also shut in some states

As May Day is recognised as a public holiday in several states, schools and government offices are also expected to remain closed, especially in Maharashtra. The day is marked with rallies, commemorations and awareness drives around workers’ rights and achievements.

In Maharashtra, the day also celebrates the formation of the state in 1960, making it a dual occasion referred to locally as Maharashtra Diwas. In educational and administrative sectors, the extent of closure in other states may vary depending on local government notifications.

Cultural and historical significance

International Labour Day, or May Day, pays tribute to the global labour movement. In India, the first Labour Day celebration was organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in Madras (now Chennai) in 1923. Since then, it has evolved into a day of awareness and celebration across both the organised and unorganised sectors, with over 500 million workers forming India’s labour force.

The day is known by various regional names: Kamgar Din (Hindi), Karmikara Dinacharane (Kannada), Kamgar Divas (Marathi), Karmika Dinotsavam (Telugu), Uzhaipalar Dhinam (Tamil), Thozhilaali Dinam (Malayalam), and Shromik Dibosh (Bengali).