October School Holidays 2026: October is one of the busiest months of the festive season in India, with several important occasions falling during the month. Students and parents often look forward to these holidays as they provide a much-needed break from regular classes.
According to the 2026 school holiday calendar, schools will remain closed on different dates for festivals including Durga Puja and other important occasions. However, the exact holidays can differ from one state or school to another. Here is the date-wise holiday information for October 2026.
Durga Puja Holiday From October 17 to 21
As per the 2026 holiday calendar mentioned in the source, schools will observe a five-day break for Durga Puja from October 17 to October 21. Schools are scheduled to reopen on October 22.
Apart from the festival break, schools will also remain closed on Sundays falling during the month. The calendar also mentions a holiday on October 11 for Durga Puja Kalash Sthapana.
Overall, there will be eight festival-related holidays in October, excluding Sundays, according to the stated calendar.
October 2026 School Holiday List
The dates mentioned in the calendar include:
- October 11, 2026: Sunday
- October 18, 2026: Durga Puja
- October 19 and 20, 2026: Dussehra, Maha Ashtami and Vijayadashami
- October 25, 2026: Sunday
- October 26, 2026: Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti
- October 29, 2026: Karwa Chauth — holiday applicable to female teachers
Students and parents should check the holiday list issued by their respective schools because the actual schedule may vary depending on the state and local education department.
Diwali to Chhath Puja: 10-Day Break in Bihar
Students studying in government schools in Bihar will also get a longer festive break in November. According to the information provided, schools will remain closed for 10 days from November 7 to November 17, 2026.
The break will cover festivals including Diwali, Chitragupta Puja, Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja. Regular classes are scheduled to resume from November 18.
Holiday Dates May Differ by State
School holiday schedules are not necessarily identical across India. Durga Puja, for example, is celebrated on a much larger scale in states such as West Bengal, where schools may begin their festival break as early as October 15.
Similarly, Dussehra holidays may vary by one or two days depending on the state. The Karwa Chauth holiday mentioned in the calendar is specifically applicable to female teachers.
Therefore, students should confirm the final holiday schedule with their school or the concerned education department before making travel or other plans.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the school holiday dates and calendar information provided in the source material. Holiday schedules may vary between states, districts and individual schools and may be revised by the concerned education authorities. Students and parents are advised to confirm the final dates with their respective school or state education department.