Contracts, legal notices, payment terms, shipping — understanding which type of day is meant and how to calculate correctly.
"5 calendar days from Monday" = Saturday. "5 business days from Monday" = the following Monday (Tue+Wed+Thu+Fri+Mon).
| Context | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment notice period | Calendar days | Usually 30/60/90 calendar days |
| Vendor payment terms | Calendar days | "Net 30" = 30 calendar days |
| SEBI trade settlement | Business days | T+1 = next trading day |
| Court filing deadlines | Calendar days | Usually, verify with specific rule |
| Shipping estimates | Business days | "3-5 business days" |
| Bank transfer processing | Business days | NEFT/RTGS in T+0 or T+1 business day |
| GST return filing | Calendar days | Fixed date deadlines (20th, 13th, etc.) |
| Cheque clearance | Business days | 2 business days typically |
Most commercial contracts in India use "days" without specifying business or calendar. Indian courts generally interpret unqualified "days" as calendar days in commercial contexts, unless industry practice clearly implies otherwise. If you are drafting a contract, always specify: "within 30 (thirty) calendar days" or "within 10 (ten) business days." The ambiguity costs more to litigate than the extra word.