How many paid leaves are legally mandatory in India and how do they vary by state?

There is no single national figure for mandatory paid leave — entitlements are set largely by each state’s Shops and Establishments Act and the Factories Act, so they vary across the country. As a broad guide, employees are commonly entitled to earned or privilege leave in the range of about 12 to 21 days a year, alongside casual and sick leave that differ by state.

Because the rules are state-specific, a company operating in multiple states must apply each state’s entitlements, accrual rules, and carry-forward limits separately rather than adopting one uniform policy. The new labour codes aim to bring more consistency to leave and wage definitions over time, but during the current transition, state law continues to govern. Employers should check the applicable Shops and Establishments Act for each work location.