A spate of school holidays for Dussehra: Find out the situation from UP and Bihar to Delhi-NCR and Kolkata..

Dussehra School Holidays 2026: Dussehra symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood and good over evil. The auspicious festival of Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. In 2026, Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 20. During this special occasion, markets become vibrant, and preparations for 'Ravan Dahan' (the burning of the effigy of Ravana) are in full swing. Meanwhile, school students and their parents eagerly look forward to a long break. The holiday schedule for schools varies from state to state.

Typically, states in North India observe a 2–3 day holiday for Dussehra. In contrast, states in South India, as well as West Bengal and Telangana, often have a longer break, referred to as an 'autumn break' or holidays for Durga Puja. Students are usually very keen to know about these holidays, as it offers them a welcome break from their studies and a great opportunity for fun. Find out when schools will be closed for Dussehra across various states in 2026.

Dussehra School Holidays 2026: When and for how many days will schools remain closed?
Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. By taking Monday off, it can be turned into a long weekend. Many states observe an extended holiday for Dussehra. Here is a look at how many days schools will remain closed in different states for this special occasion.

An 8-day break in Uttar Pradesh

Students in Uttar Pradesh will enjoy an 8-day break for Dussehra. While the main festival falls on October 20, the education department's calendar indicates that the holidays will run from October 18 to October 25. Schools will resume their regular schedule on Monday, October 26.

For how many days will schools remain closed in Delhi-NCR?

In the national capital, Delhi, and the surrounding NCR region, school holidays are somewhat limited. According to the holiday calendar issued by the Directorate of Education, Delhi, schools in the Delhi-NCR region will observe a three-day break—October 18, 19, and 20, 2026—coinciding with the main festival. This will allow children to enjoy the festivities with their families.

12-Day Holiday for Durga Puja in West Bengal
In West Bengal, the celebrations of Durga Puja and Dussehra are nothing short of a grand festival. Reflecting the state's cultural traditions, schools here enjoy the longest holiday periods. In 2026, schools in West Bengal will remain closed for 12 consecutive days, from October 15 to October 26, a period during which the entire state will be immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Holiday Schedule in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Students in the South Indian state of Telangana have reason to cheer; following their ‘Summative Assessment-1’ (SA-1) examinations, they will have a break starting October 10 and ending on October 23—a total of 13 days. Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, schools will remain closed from October 12 to October 21, with classes resuming on October 22.

Holiday Status in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand
In Rajasthan, government schools will remain closed for 8 days, from October 18 to October 25, as per the ‘Shivira Panchang’ (academic calendar). In Bihar, government and government-aided schools will observe a 5-day holiday from October 17 to October 21, in light of Durga Puja and Dussehra. Additionally, according to the guidelines of the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC), a three-day holiday has been scheduled from October 19 to October 21—covering the period from Maha Ashtami to Vijaya Dashami.

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