Diwali school holidays 2026: Why some states may get a longer break even though Diwali falls on Sunday

After Durga Puja, Dussehra, Bathukamma (Telangana) and Golu (Tamil Nadu) festivals, school students are all in for another set of holidays as November 2026 begins. The month is jam-packed with festivities such as Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja (Bihar) and Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Diwali falling on a Sunday (November 8) means no additional holiday for many employees. But in many states, students may get a longer break despite this. While some states have scheduled extended Diwali vacations, others will observe shorter breaks around the festival.

Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, followed by Govardhan Puja on November 9 and Bhaiya Dooj on November 11. Chhath Puja will be observed on November 15.

Key holidays, Gazetted (G) and Restricted (R), in November across states:

• November 1: Kut (Manipur), Haryana Day (Haryana), Kannada Rajyotsava (Karnataka), Puducherry Liberation Day (Puducherry), Lhabab Duchen (Sikkim)

• November 8 (Sunday): Diwali (Deepavali) / Naraka Chaturdasi (Gazetted Holiday)

• November 9 (Monday): Govardhan Puja

• November 11 (Wednesday): Bhai Duj / Bhai Dooj

• November 13 (Friday): Wangala Festival (Meghalaya)

• November 15 (Sunday): Pratihar Shashthi or Surya Shashthi (Chhath Puja)

• November 23 (Monday): Seng Kut Snem (Meghalaya)

• November 24 (Tuesday): Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) & Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji's Martyrdom Day (Gazetted Holiday)

• November 27 (Friday): Kanakadasa Jayanti (Karnataka)

Besides these festivals, different states may observe holidays during regional festivals in November as well. These days are as follows:

Bihar

November 8: Diwali (Gazetted Holiday)

November 10: Chitragupta Pooja / Bhai Dooj (Gazetted Holiday)

November 13: Chhath Puja (Kharna)

November 15: Chhath Puja (Gazetted Holiday)

November 16: Chhath Puja (Gazetted Holiday)

Haryana

November 9: Goverdhan Puja

November 9: Vishwakarma Day

November 15: Chhath Puja

November 24: Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti

Punjab

November 1: New Punjab Day

November 8: Diwali

November 9: Vishwakarma Day

November 9. Govardhan Pooja

November 11: Guru Gaddi Diwas Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

November 15: Chhath Pooja

November 16: Martyrdom Day of S. Kartar Singh Sarabha Ji

November 20: Birthday of Sant Nam Dev Ji

November 24: Birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Asaam

November 1: Kuki Chavang Kut

November 7: Wangala Festival

November 8: Kali Puja & Diwali

November 19: Bir Raghav Moran Divas

(These holidays are as per the Circular issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.)

Goa

November 11: Bhaubij (Restricted holiday)