5 Day Week, Fixed Timings & Lunch Breaks – When Did Central Govt Employees Get These Benefits?
Bank employees in India are demanding the implementation of a 5-day work week. Even in 2025, bank staff continue to work six days a week, except on the second and fourth Saturdays. But did you know? Central government employees have been enjoying a 5-day work week since 1985. Yes, you read that right.
The 5-day work week for Central Government civil administrative offices in India was officially introduced on June 3, 1985. This policy change made all Saturdays closed, replacing the previous 6-day work week, and was implemented to improve administrative efficiency.
The official reason for implementing the 5-day work week in central government departments was to improve administrative efficiency.
Official Order from Government
The Government released an official order related to implementation of 5 day work week in central government offices. The official order is as follows:
The Government of India has considered the question of introducing a 5-day week in the administrative offices of the Central Government in the context of improving efficiency in administration. The matter was also discussed with the Staff Side of the National Council of the JCM. After considering all aspects of the proposal, the Government of India is pleased to introduce a 5-day working week in the civil administrative offices of the Government of India with effect from 3rd June, 1985. Accordingly, Government offices will work five days a week from Monday to Friday, and all Saturdays will be closed. To compensate for the closed Saturdays, the daily working hours on the five working days will be increased by one hour.
The order stated that the working hours in Delhi for Ministries / Departments of Government of India will be 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Lunch Break will be from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. The working hours in all other offices in Delhi will be 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Lunch Break will be from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM.
For administrative offices located outside Delhi/New Delhi, Total working hours shall not exceed 7½ hours per day, excluding lunch break. All Central Government offices located at the same place should follow uniform office timings, either: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
