October 2026 brings major festive holidays and school closures across India

October marks the start of the festive season in India, bringing several school and college holidays alongside regular weekend breaks. Exact dates and holiday lengths vary across states, school boards, and individual institutions.

Major Holidays

महात्मा Gandhi Jayanti falls on October 2 as a national gazetted holiday to mark the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Maha Navami is observed on October 19 during the nine-day Navratri festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and serves as a holiday in several regions and institutions like the Kendriya Vidyalaya calendar. Dussehra or Vijay Dashami takes place on Tuesday, October 20, marking the end of Navratri with events such as the burning of Ravana effigies, Durga Puja celebrations, and processions.

Regional Breaks

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti falls on October 26 as a restricted holiday on the central government calendar, serving as a school holiday in select states to commemorate the author of the Ramayana. Karwa Chauth takes place on October 29 as a regional or restricted holiday observed mainly in northern and western India. The festive season extends beyond October into November, with Diwali on November 8 and Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24.

Context

Holiday calendars in India combine national gazetted dates with a large number of regional and restricted holidays that change by state and school board. Academic calendars often provide extended breaks around major festivals like Dussehra to accommodate local celebrations and travel. Students typically need to check their specific school or state education department notices rather than relying on national dates alone.