Dussehra school holidays 2026: Check state-wise closure dates for October 19 and 20

Schools across India to remain closed for Dussehra on October 19 and 20

School Dussehra Holidays 2026: Schools across several Indian states are observing holidays on October 19 and 20, 2026, for Durga Ashtami and Dussehra. The closures coincide with key dates in the Navaratri and Durga Puja festivities, with state governments and individual educational institutions following their respective holiday calendars.Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand and Bihar are among the states where schools are observing festive breaks. However, the duration of the holidays varies by region, with some states scheduling extended autumn vacations and others following shorter closures around the main festival dates.School holiday on October 19 for Durga AshtamiMonday, October 19, marks Durga Ashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Navaratri. The festival honours Goddess Durga and is associated with the victory of good over evil. Although the day is not listed as a gazetted holiday for 2026 in the information provided, schools may remain closed depending on state regulations and institutional calendars.Parents and students should check official school circulars, institutional applications and school communication groups to confirm whether classes will take place on Monday.Dussehra holiday on October 20Tuesday, October 20, is Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, which is listed among the gazetted holidays for 2026. The festival commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over the ten-headed demon Ravana and Goddess Durga’s triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It also marks the conclusion of Navaratri.Schools across many states are expected to remain closed on the occasion. However, the applicable holiday dates depend on state-level announcements and individual school calendars.State-wise school holiday schedulesThe reported school breaks across states include the following arrangements for October 2026:

The schedules reflect different regional festival calendars. West Bengal is observing an extended autumn recess, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have longer Dasara vacations. Bihar’s reported break covers five days, and schools in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR have a consecutive holiday period spanning three days.Kerala’s holiday arrangements include Durgashtami, followed by celebrations associated with Vijayadashami and Vidyarambham on October 21.What students and parents should checkStudents attending government, aided and private schools should confirm the applicable dates with their institutions. Schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) may follow institution-specific academic calendars.Parents should consult official notices, school applications and circulars before making attendance arrangements. Holiday schedules can differ according to local administrative decisions, regional observances and the duration of the autumn break.Note: The state-wise dates above are based on the information supplied and should be checked against official school or government announcements.