School Holidays 2026 in India: State-Wise Dates, Latest Closures, Bank Holidays & Important Updates
Planning a family trip, arranging childcare, scheduling exams, or simply trying to find out whether school is closed tomorrow? The School Holidays 2026 in India calendar is not one single nationwide list.
School holidays can differ by state, district, school board, school management and local administration. Festival holidays may also vary, while sudden closures can be announced because of heavy rain, flooding, examinations, public events or local law-and-order situations.
As of August 20, 2026, there are also some important school-closure updates that parents and students should know about.
This guide brings together the major 2026 school holidays in India, state-wise holiday patterns, latest school closure updates, bank holidays and practical ways to verify whether your school is actually closed.
«Important: A government or public holiday does not automatically mean every private, CBSE, ICSE or international school will remain closed. Always check your school's official circular or the relevant state education department before making travel or childcare arrangements.»
Latest School Holiday Updates: August 2026
Manipur schools closed from August 20 to August 23
A major current update concerns Manipur.
The Manipur government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions from August 20 to August 23, 2026, amid prevailing law-and-order concerns. The closure covers schools, colleges and universities.
Parents in Manipur should therefore follow the latest instructions from their school and local authorities before sending children to campus.
Selected Puducherry schools closed on August 21 and 22
In Puducherry, 69 government and private schools designated as examination centres for the SSC CGL examination have been ordered to remain closed on August 21 and August 22, 2026.
This is an important example of why a reported school holiday may not apply to every school in a state or Union Territory. The closure applies to designated examination-centre schools rather than all schools in Puducherry.
What about rain-related school holidays?
Heavy monsoon rainfall can lead to sudden school closures, particularly in areas affected by flooding, landslides, waterlogging or unsafe travel conditions.
However, an IMD rain warning does not automatically mean that schools are closed. Closure decisions can be made by state governments, district administrations, education departments or individual school authorities depending on local conditions.
For this reason, parents should not rely solely on social-media messages or weather forecasts.
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School Holidays in India: Why Dates Differ by State
India does not have one universal school-holiday calendar covering every school.
Holiday schedules can be influenced by:
- State government holiday notifications
- State education department calendars
- CBSE, CISCE or other board requirements
- District-level administrative orders
- Religious and regional festivals
- Summer and winter vacations
- Examination schedules
- Local elections or major public events
- Weather emergencies
- School-specific academic calendars
The National Portal of India provides separate holiday calendars for individual states and Union Territories, making it a useful starting point for checking government-declared holidays. Its calendar was reviewed and updated in July 2026.
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State-Wise School Holiday Calendar 2026
The following overview highlights the major holiday patterns parents are likely to encounter. It should be treated as a planning guide rather than a guaranteed school closure list, because actual school calendars can differ.
Andhra Pradesh
Schools in Andhra Pradesh generally observe major national and regional holidays listed by the state government, along with school-specific vacations.
Important holidays can include:
- Republic Day
- Ugadi
- Ram Navami
- Eid holidays
- Independence Day
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
Parents should check the Andhra Pradesh government's holiday calendar and their school's academic calendar for exact dates.
The National Portal maintains a dedicated Andhra Pradesh holiday calendar.
Telangana
Telangana schools generally follow the state's academic and holiday schedule, with additional holidays for major festivals and regional occasions.
Commonly observed holidays include:
- Sankranti
- Republic Day
- Ugadi
- Eid-related holidays
- Independence Day
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
Schools may also announce summer, Dasara and other vacation periods according to their academic calendar.
Karnataka
Karnataka schools may observe holidays connected with:
- Republic Day
- Ugadi
- Independence Day
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Dasara
- Kannada Rajyotsava
- Deepavali
- Christmas
School calendars can differ considerably between government schools and private institutions.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has its own state-specific holiday calendar, with major occasions including:
- Pongal
- Tamil New Year
- Republic Day
- Independence Day
- Vinayaka Chaturthi
- Ayudha Puja
- Vijayadashami
- Deepavali
- Christmas
In August 2026, published holiday calendars list August 25 as Eid-e-Milad in Tamil Nadu, although families should confirm the school's own circular before assuming a closure.
Kerala
Kerala's school calendar includes holidays associated with:
- Onam
- Vishu
- Eid
- Christmas
- Independence Day
- Republic Day
- Major regional festivals
Onam-related holidays can create longer breaks depending on the official academic calendar.
Maharashtra
Schools in Maharashtra generally observe major festivals such as:
- Republic Day
- Gudi Padwa
- Independence Day
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
Diwali vacation is particularly important because the exact school break can extend beyond the individual public holiday.
The National Portal provides a Maharashtra-specific holiday calendar.
Gujarat
Major holidays commonly include:
- Uttarayan
- Republic Day
- Holi
- Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Navratri
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
The length of school vacation can vary by school and academic calendar.
Delhi
Schools in Delhi generally observe national holidays and major religious festivals, while summer and winter vacations are announced through the applicable education authorities or individual school calendars.
Parents should pay particular attention to winter and summer vacation notifications because dates can differ between school categories.
Uttar Pradesh
Major holidays may include:
- Republic Day
- Holi
- Eid
- Independence Day
- Janmashtami
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
Local administrative orders can sometimes result in additional school closures.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan schools generally observe national holidays and major festivals including:
- Republic Day
- Holi
- Eid
- Independence Day
- Janmashtami
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
Weather-related closures may also occur during periods of extreme conditions.
Punjab
Major holidays commonly include:
- Republic Day
- Baisakhi
- Independence Day
- Janmashtami
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Christmas
Schools may also have separate winter vacation schedules.
Haryana
Haryana schools generally follow the state holiday calendar alongside national holidays and major religious festivals.
Winter vacation and weather-related closures can be particularly important for families planning school attendance.
Himachal Pradesh
School schedules in Himachal Pradesh can be affected by weather and geography.
In addition to regular holidays, authorities may announce temporary closures because of:
- Heavy snowfall
- Landslides
- Roads becoming unsafe
- Heavy rainfall
- Other local emergencies
Therefore, parents should always check district-level announcements during severe weather.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand follows national and state holidays, but schools can also be affected by weather conditions.
Heavy rainfall, landslides and road conditions may lead to short-notice closures in affected districts.
West Bengal
Major school holidays can include:
- Republic Day
- Saraswati Puja
- Holi
- Independence Day
- Durga Puja
- Kali Puja
- Christmas
Durga Puja can result in an extended school break depending on the institution's academic calendar.
Bihar
Important holidays can include:
- Republic Day
- Holi
- Eid
- Independence Day
- Janmashtami
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Chhath Puja
- Christmas
Chhath is especially significant in Bihar and can affect school and government-office schedules.
Odisha
Odisha school holidays may include:
- Republic Day
- Rath Yatra
- Independence Day
- Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Christmas
Local festival calendars can create additional school holidays.
Assam
Assam schools observe national holidays and regional festivals such as Bihu, in addition to other major religious and cultural holidays.
School vacation dates should be checked against the applicable state academic calendar.
Jharkhand
Schools generally observe national holidays and major regional and religious festivals.
Diwali, Chhath and Christmas can feature prominently in school holiday schedules.
Chhattisgarh
Common school holidays include national holidays and major festivals such as Holi, Janmashtami, Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas.
Local administrative orders may add temporary closures.
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh schools observe national holidays, major religious festivals and state-specific holidays.
Diwali and Dussehra periods can be particularly important for school vacation planning.
Goa
Goa's school calendars include national holidays along with holidays associated with local religious and cultural traditions.
Christmas-related holidays can be particularly significant.
Jammu and Kashmir
School calendars in Jammu and Kashmir can differ by region.
Weather conditions are also important, particularly during winter, when authorities may announce seasonal closures or changes to school timings.
Ladakh
Ladakh has a distinct academic and weather environment. School calendars may vary according to local conditions, winter weather and administrative decisions.
Northeast States and Other Union Territories
States and Union Territories such as Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry can have distinct regional holiday schedules.
The National Portal provides state and Union Territory holiday calendars, which can be used to verify government-declared holidays.
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Major School Holidays to Watch in the Rest of 2026
For families planning ahead, the second half of the year typically contains several major festival and national holidays.
August
Important dates can include:
- Independence Day — August 15
- Eid-e-Milad — August 25 in several state calendars
- First Onam and Thiruvonam-related holidays in Kerala
- Regional festivals
Because some festival dates and school closures can vary, verify the official school calendar.
September
September can include:
- Janmashtami-related holidays
- Regional festivals
- Local holidays
- School-specific events and examination breaks
October
October is one of the most important months for school holiday planning.
Potential major holidays include:
- Gandhi Jayanti
- Dussehra/Vijayadashami
- Durga Puja-related holidays
- Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
- Regional festivals
The actual length of the Dussehra break varies considerably between states and schools.
November
November can bring:
- Diwali
- Govardhan Puja
- Bhai Dooj
- Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Regional holidays
Many schools provide a multi-day Diwali vacation rather than closing only on the main festival date.
December
December commonly includes:
- Christmas Day
- Winter vacation
- Regional holidays
- School-specific year-end breaks
Winter vacation dates can vary substantially between northern and southern India.
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School Holiday vs Public Holiday: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most important points parents often miss.
A public holiday is a holiday declared by the relevant government authority.
A school holiday is a day on which a particular school is closed.
The two are related but are not always identical.
For example, a government-declared holiday may apply to government offices and banks while a private school follows a different academic calendar.
Similarly, a school can close for reasons unrelated to a public holiday, such as an examination, weather emergency or local administrative order.
That is why searching for "Is school closed tomorrow?" requires more than looking at a generic holiday list.
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Bank Holidays in India 2026: Are Banks Closed on School Holidays?
Not necessarily.
School holidays and bank holidays follow different calendars.
Bank holidays can vary by state and city because banking holidays include regional holidays in addition to nationwide holidays.
The Reserve Bank of India maintains a holiday framework for banking operations, and bank branches also observe the second and fourth Saturdays as holidays.
This means a school holiday does not automatically mean your local bank branch is closed.
Likewise, a bank holiday does not automatically mean schools are closed.
Before visiting a bank
Check:
1. Your bank's branch-specific holiday information.
2. The RBI holiday calendar.
3. Whether the holiday applies to your state or banking centre.
4. Whether digital banking services remain available.
UPI, mobile banking and internet banking can continue operating even when a physical branch is closed, although specific services may have their own processing schedules.
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How to Check If Your School Is Closed Tomorrow
If you need a reliable answer quickly, use this order:
1. Check your school's official message
Look at:
- School app
- SMS
- WhatsApp announcement
- Parent portal
- Official school website
- Notice board
2. Check the district administration
For emergency closures, the district administration may issue the announcement.
3. Check the state education department
This is especially important during:
- Heavy rainfall
- Flooding
- Extreme weather
- Elections
- Public emergencies
4. Check the National Portal of India
The National Portal provides holiday calendars for states and Union Territories and can help confirm government-declared holidays.
5. Don't rely on forwarded messages
A WhatsApp message saying "schools closed tomorrow" is not proof.
Look for an official notification before changing your child's schedule.
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Why School Holiday Dates Can Change
Holiday calendars are planned in advance, but unexpected situations can change them.
Possible reasons include:
- Severe weather
- Flooding
- Landslides
- Public safety concerns
- Local law-and-order issues
- Elections
- Examination-centre requirements
- Government orders
- Local festivals
- Administrative decisions
The current Manipur closure demonstrates how a school calendar can change because of circumstances that were not part of the normal academic vacation schedule.
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Tips for Parents Planning Around School Holidays
Save the official school calendar
Keep a copy of your child's academic calendar on your phone.
Mark long weekends
When a public holiday falls close to Saturday or Sunday, children may get a longer break depending on the school's working schedule.
Don't book expensive travel before confirming the break
School calendars can differ even between schools in the same city.
Keep examination dates separate
A school holiday calendar is not an examination calendar.
Always check both.
Watch for last-minute announcements
During monsoon season and other periods of disruption, school closure announcements may arrive at short notice.
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Frequently Asked Questions About School Holidays 2026 in India
Is August 20, 2026 a school holiday in India?
There is no single nationwide school closure for August 20, 2026.
However, Manipur has ordered educational institutions to remain closed from August 20 to August 23 because of law-and-order concerns.
Other states and schools may have different arrangements.
Are schools closed on August 21 and 22, 2026?
In Puducherry, 69 government and private schools serving as SSC CGL examination centres are scheduled to remain closed on August 21 and 22. This does not mean every school in Puducherry is closed.
Is August 25, 2026 a school holiday?
August 25 is associated with Eid-e-Milad in several state holiday calendars, while Kerala also has an Onam-related holiday around this period.
Whether your child's school is closed depends on the applicable state and school calendar.
When is the Dussehra holiday in 2026?
Dussehra-related holidays fall in October 2026, but the exact school vacation period varies by state and institution.
Some schools may provide several days of vacation around Dussehra or Durga Puja.
When is the Diwali school holiday in 2026?
Diwali falls in November 2026, but schools may provide a multi-day break.
The exact dates should be confirmed through the school's academic calendar because vacation periods differ across states and boards.
Are schools closed on bank holidays?
Not necessarily.
School holidays and bank holidays are separate calendars. A bank holiday does not automatically close schools, and a school holiday does not necessarily close banks.
Are CBSE schools closed on every government holiday?
No.
CBSE schools generally follow applicable government and institutional holiday schedules, but individual schools can have their own academic calendars and additional holidays.
Do private schools follow government school holidays?
Not always.
Private schools may follow state holiday notifications but can also have their own calendars.
Can schools close suddenly because of rain?
Yes.
Local authorities or schools may order closures when weather conditions create safety risks. However, a weather warning alone does not guarantee that every school in the affected area will close.
Where can I verify official holidays?
The National Portal of India provides holiday calendars for the central government, states and Union Territories.
For bank holidays, check the RBI's holiday information and your individual bank's branch notice.
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Final Takeaway
The School Holidays 2026 in India calendar is best understood as a collection of state, district and school-level schedules rather than one nationwide list.
For parents and students, the most important dates are usually the major national holidays, regional festivals, summer and winter vacations, Dussehra and Diwali breaks, and any sudden closures caused by weather or local circumstances.
As of August 20, 2026, the most notable current closures include the Manipur educational-institution shutdown from August 20–23 and the temporary closure of designated examination-centre schools in Puducherry on August 21–22.
For the most accurate answer to a simple question such as "Is school closed tomorrow?", always use the school's latest official announcement together with the relevant state or district notification.
Holiday calendars are useful for planning—but an official school communication should be the final word.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and planning purposes. School holidays, emergency closures, festival dates and bank holidays can change or vary by state, district, school, board and local authority. Dates listed here should not be treated as a substitute for official notifications. Before making travel, childcare, examination or banking arrangements, verify the latest information with your school, state education department, district administration, the relevant government authority or your bank.
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