New Supreme Court Order – In a landmark development, the Supreme Court has issued a directive mandating that all government offices and nationalized banks must operate six days a week starting from August 1, 2025. This order effectively removes the traditional Sunday holiday across various sectors, citing improved public service delivery, backlog clearance, and citizen convenience as the main drivers of the decision. The move has sparked nationwide debates, with employees and administrative bodies responding with mixed reactions.
Supreme Court’s Verdict on Weekly Off Days
The new ruling came after a public interest litigation (PIL) questioned the efficiency of services rendered by banks and government offices. In response, the Supreme Court ruled that public-serving departments must increase their weekly availability to serve the growing population and digital demands.
Key Points from the Court’s Order:
- The new 6-day working rule will be effective from August 1, 2025.
- Sunday will no longer be a weekly off in central and state government offices.
- Nationalized and cooperative banks will also follow the new rule.
- Existing Saturday half-days (if any) will be converted into full working days.
- Private sector offices are not covered under this directive.
- Leave encashment and holiday compensations will be revised accordingly.
Departments Affected by the New Sunday Working Rule
The Supreme Court’s order applies specifically to departments and services that are heavily dependent on daily public interaction and transactional activities.
List of Affected Departments:
- Central Government Offices
- State Government Departments
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Regional Transport Offices (RTO)
- Banks (Public and Cooperative)
- Municipal Corporations
- Revenue and Tax Offices
- Passport and Identity Services
Full Comparison: Current vs. New Weekly Working Structure
Below is a detailed comparison between the current weekly work structure and the one being implemented from August 2025:
| Parameter | Current System | New System (From Aug 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Working Days | 5 Days (Mon–Fri) | 6 Days (Mon–Sat) |
| Weekly Off | Saturday & Sunday | Only Saturday |
| Government Offices | Closed on Weekends | Open Mon–Sat, Closed Sunday |
| Bank Branches | Closed on Sunday | Open Mon–Sat, Closed Sunday |
| Staff Compensation | Standard leave policies | Revised Leave Encashment Rules |
| Public Dealing Hours | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Impacted Services | None | All Government + PSU Banks |
| Applicability to Private Sector | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Reason Behind Cancellation of Sunday Holidays
The Supreme Court highlighted several reasons behind the cancellation of Sunday offs, primarily focusing on maximizing service delivery in government-controlled domains.
Reasons Cited by the Court:
- Growing demand for uninterrupted public services.
- Backlog of pending cases, files, and processes in key departments.
- Better productivity and quicker grievance redressal.
- Need for synchronizing public service with digital initiatives.
- Reducing long queues and waiting periods at banks and government counters.
Public Reaction and Employee Concerns
While the general public has largely welcomed the decision for its focus on service improvement, government and bank employees have expressed dissatisfaction regarding work-life balance.
Concerns Raised by Employees:
- Mental health and family time may be compromised.
- No additional salary hike or incentives announced yet.
- Higher work pressure with limited weekly rest.
- Demands for alternate compensatory leave raised by unions.
Benefits to the Common Citizens
The Supreme Court emphasized that the new rule will directly benefit crores of citizens who rely on public offices for documentation, finance, healthcare, and legal services.
How the Public Will Benefit:
- More working days = fewer service delays.
- Easier access to banking and revenue services.
- Faster processing of pensions, subsidies, and loans.
- Improved grievance redressal with more footfall days.
Revised Bank Holiday Calendar – What Changes?
With the new directive in place, the bank holiday structure will be revised to exclude regular Sunday offs. However, national holidays and regional holidays will still remain in effect.
Updated Weekly Schedule for Banks:
| Day | Status (Current) | Status (From Aug 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | Open |
| Tuesday | Open | Open |
| Wednesday | Open | Open |
| Thursday | Open | Open |
| Friday | Open | Open |
| Saturday | Alternating/Half Day | Full Working Day |
| Sunday | Closed | Working Day |
What Happens Next: Timeline of Implementation
The Supreme Court has directed all relevant ministries and state governments to comply by August 1, 2025, without exception.
Implementation Timeline:
- July 1–15, 2025: Notification to be sent to all departments.
- July 16–31, 2025: Restructuring of schedules and workforce planning.
- August 1, 2025: 6-day work rule goes live across India.
The Supreme Court’s decision to scrap Sunday holidays for government and bank employees marks a significant shift in India’s administrative framework. While the move is intended to accelerate public service delivery and tackle inefficiencies, it also raises important concerns about employee welfare and workload. Citizens are advised to prepare for the transition and make necessary adjustments in planning their government- and bank-related visits from August onward.
FAQs
Q1. From when will the Sunday holiday be removed in government offices?
A1. The new rule will be implemented from August 1, 2025.
Q2. Does this rule apply to private companies as well?
A2. No, the Supreme Court’s order is applicable only to government departments and public sector banks.
Q3. Will employees receive extra pay for working on Sundays?
A3. As per reports, a revised leave and encashment policy will be issued, but no additional pay has been announced yet.
Q4. Will banks also be open every Sunday?
A4. Yes, banks will now operate six days a week including Sundays, while Saturdays will be full working days.
Q5. What happens to Saturday half-days in banks?
A5. Saturday half-days will be converted into full working days under the new structure.