Standard office hours: 09:30-18:00 IST, Monday-Friday

Most private-sector offices, IT companies, and corporate headquarters open Monday to Friday, 09:30-18:00 IST.

  • Many firms start at 09:00 and run until 17:30. The 09:30-18:00 slot is the most common nationwide.
  • A one-hour lunch break falls between 13:00 and 14:00 IST. Some companies schedule 13:00-13:45 or 13:30-14:15; the 13:00-14:00 window is the standard.
  • Friday often ends earlier, around 17:00 or 17:30, especially in smaller firms and retail offices.
  • Saturday is a partial work day for many private firms. Common timings: 09:30-14:00 or 09:30-13:00 IST. Some companies close Saturday entirely.

Central and state administration timings

Central ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings operate 09:00-17:30 IST, Monday to Friday. Some follow 09:30-18:00. Both are common.

  • Lunch break: 13:00-14:00 IST. Canteens and cafeterias in these buildings follow this window closely.
  • Saturday: central departments are closed. Saturday is not a working day for most of them.

State administration offices vary by state, but the pattern is consistent:

  • Monday to Friday: 09:30-18:00 IST or 09:00-17:30 IST.
  • Saturday (half-day): Many state offices open 09:00-13:00 IST. In some states (e.g., Maharashtra, Karnataka), Saturday is a full working day for many departments. In others (e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu), Saturday is closed.
  • Sunday: Closed.

Check your state's specific notification; the half-day Saturday is common but not universal.

Bank hours: 10:00-16:00 and Saturday rules

Indian banks follow a standard 10:00-16:00 IST schedule for public transactions (deposits, withdrawals, passbook updates).

  • Lunch break: Banks typically stagger lunch breaks so counters remain open. The common window is 13:00-14:00 IST, but at least one counter stays operational.
  • Saturday rules:
  • Second and fourth Saturdays of every month: holiday (banks closed).
  • First, third, and fifth Saturdays: full working day (10:00-16:00 IST).
  • Sunday: closed.
  • RBI and treasury offices: follow central administration timings (09:00-17:30 IST, Monday, Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday).
  • Digital banking: 24/7. Core banking hours (10:00-16:00) affect same-day fund settlements and cheque clearances.

Shop and market hours: urban vs small town

Urban areas (metros and large cities): Shops and markets typically open 10:00-21:00 IST, seven days a week.

  • Malls and retail chains: 11:00-21:00 or 11:00-22:00 IST, all days.
  • Local markets (e.g., Delhi's Chandni Chowk, Mumbai's Crawford Market): 10:00-20:00 IST, closed one weekday (often Tuesday or Thursday).
  • Street vendors and kiosks: 10:00-22:00 or later, depending on footfall.

Smaller towns and semi-urban areas: Shops open 10:00-20:00 IST but may close one weekday (often Tuesday or Thursday). Sunday is usually a full trading day.

  • Weekly closure day: Many towns observe a "market holiday" on a specific weekday (e.g., Monday in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Wednesday in parts of Rajasthan). This is a local tradition, not a legal requirement.
  • Post offices: 10:00-16:00 IST, Monday, Saturday. Sunday closed.

The Indian work week: Monday-Friday core, Saturday partial

Day Typical business status Common hours (IST)
Monday Full working day 09:30-18:00
Tuesday Full working day 09:30-18:00
Wednesday Full working day 09:30-18:00
Thursday Full working day 09:30-18:00
Friday Full working day (often shorter) 09:30-17:30
Saturday Partial (private) / closed (central govt) 09:30-13:00 or closed
Sunday Closed for offices and banks; open for retail ,

Public holidays (e.g., Republic Day 26 January, Independence Day 15 August, Diwali, Holi, Eid) are observed by all administration and most private offices. Banks close on national and state holidays. See the India public holidays 2026 page for exact dates.

When do Indian offices break for lunch?

The 13:00-14:00 IST lunch window is near-universal in offices, banks, and administration departments.

  • Private offices: employees take 30-60 minutes within this window. Many IT firms have flexible lunch breaks (employees choose their slot between 12:30 and 14:30).
  • Public sector offices: the break is fixed at 13:00-14:00 IST. Canteens close at 14:00 sharp.
  • Shops and markets: lunch breaks are staggered; smaller shops may close 13:30-14:30. Larger stores and malls remain open.
  • Banks: lunch break is staggered to keep counters open. Some branches close counters 13:00-14:00; others rotate staff.

Indian business hours at a glance

Entity Days of operation Hours (IST) Lunch break
Standard office Mon-Fri 09:30-18:00 13:00-14:00
Central administration Mon-Fri 09:00-17:30 13:00-14:00
State administration Mon-Fri, Sat (half-day in some states) 09:30-18:00 13:00-14:00
Banks Mon-Sat (2nd & 4th Sat holidays) 10:00-16:00 Staggered 13:00-14:00
Shops (urban) 7 days 10:00-21:00 or later Staggered
Shops (small towns) 6 days, closed one weekday 10:00-20:00 Staggered
Post offices Mon-Sat 10:00-16:00 13:00-14:00