October School Holidays 2026: The month of October is set to begin in two days. With several festivals falling during this month, students are in for a treat. October, with many major festivals taking place, promises to be a special month for holidays. Consequently, parents are wondering when schools will remain closed so they can plan outings accordingly. The holiday season in October begins with Gandhi Jayanti; schools, colleges, banks, and offices remain closed on this occasion.
Apart from Gandhi Jayanti, the month features several significant festivals and events, including Durga Puja, Dussehra, and Karwa Chauth. As a result, schools across various states will observe holidays. However, holiday dates may vary by state, as they depend on the respective state’s education department and school boards. You can find the latest updates on holidays in this article.
How many days of school holidays will there be in October?
According to the Central Government’s 2026 holiday calendar, holidays are scheduled for Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 (Friday) and Dussehra/Vijayadashami on October 20. Some government institution calendars also list the Dussehra break as extending from October 19 to October 24.
School holidays in these states:
– Schools across all states in the country will remain closed on October 2 for Gandhi Jayanti.
– Schools in almost all states will observe the main Dussehra holiday on October 20.
– In Telangana, holidays are scheduled for Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2), Saddula Bathukamma (Oct 18), Mahanavami (Oct 19), Vijayadashami (Oct 20), and the following day (Oct 21).
– In West Bengal, in addition to Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2), Durga Puja holidays begin on October 15 (Maha Chaturthi), with further holidays continuing through Mahanavami/Dashami on October 20–21. October 22–24 and 26 are also listed as additional holidays in the state’s schedule.
When will schools in Delhi be closed?
According to the released 2026 holiday calendar, there are holidays for Dussehra and Karwa Chauth in October. Schools will remain closed for Dussehra from October 18 to October 20. Additionally, schools will be closed on October 29, 2026, for Karwa Chauth.
School Holidays in Bihar (October 2026)
Several holidays are scheduled for October according to the calendar. Schools will be closed on October 2 for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and on October 5 for Jiutiya. There will also be a holiday on October 11 for the Kalash Sthapana (commencement of rituals) of Dussehra, followed by Durga Puja holidays from October 17 to October 21.
School Holidays in Jharkhand (October 2026)
Schools will be closed on October 2 for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. Subsequently, schools will remain closed on October 19 and 20 for Durga Puja; however, some schools begin their Durga Puja holidays as early as Saptami.