November 2026 school holidays follow different state and local schedules. Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November, while Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Tuesday, 24 November.
Parents planning a trip need the school’s closing and reopening dates, particularly where a festival falls on Sunday. Tamil Nadu has announced an additional Monday holiday, but that arrangement should not be applied to other states.
Key Highlights
- Diwali falls on 8 November; Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24 November.
- Bihar’s published education calendar lists a 7–17 November festive break.
- Tamil Nadu has announced 9 November off and 28 November as a working day.
- Chhath closures differ by state and school calendar.
November 2026 School Holidays: Main Festival Dates
The government holiday calendar confirms Diwali and Guru Nanak Jayanti dates. Delhi’s education department has also circulated its 2026 holiday notification, which distinguishes general holidays from restricted observances.
The dates below identify occasions to check against a school notice. They are not a nationwide closure order.
| Date | Day | Occasion |
| 8 November | Sunday | Diwali / Deepavali |
| 9 November | Monday | Govardhan Puja |
| 11 November | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj |
| 15–16 November | Sunday–Monday | Chhath evening and morning observances |
| 24 November | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
A school may include several occasions within one vacation block. Counting every festival as an extra day off would overstate the break where dates overlap with Sundays or an existing vacation.
State-Wise School Closure Dates to Check
Available calendars and reporting show different arrangements:
- Bihar: The education calendar lists 7–17 November for the combined festive break and 24 November for Guru Nanak Jayanti/Kartik Purnima.
- Delhi: The DoE-circulated notification lists Diwali on 8 November and Guru Nanak’s birthday on 24 November. Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj and Chhath appear in its restricted-holiday list.
- Uttar Pradesh: Reported government-calendar dates include 8 November for Diwali, 9 November for Govardhan Puja and 11 November for Bhai Dooj. Chhath-related dates of 15–16 November are listed as restricted or optional.
- Jharkhand: The reported government-school calendar lists Govardhan Puja on 9 November, Bhai Dooj on 11 November, Chhath on 16 November and Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24 November.
A restricted holiday entry is not evidence that all pupils get the day off. In Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, obtain the school’s own notice before treating those entries as closures.
Bihar’s published calendar covers specified government and government-aided school categories. A private school’s vacation should be confirmed directly rather than inferred from the government-school schedule.
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra: Additional Breaks and Working Days
Tamil Nadu’s announcement gives schools and other educational institutions Monday, 9 November off after Diwali. Saturday, 28 November is the compensating working day. Families should enter both dates in their calendar; the added holiday changes a later Saturday too.
Maharashtra needs a more local check. Maharashtra Times reported a 5–23 November vacation for Mumbai municipal primary and private aided primary schools, followed by the 24 November holiday.
That is a schedule for specified Mumbai school categories, not proof of an identical break throughout Maharashtra. District and school-type notices take priority over a headline describing statewide Diwali holidays.
How Parents Can Confirm the Final School Calendar
Read the actual notice before booking return travel. A useful notice identifies the issuing authority and the schools covered, alongside the holiday dates.
Check these details:
- Does the order cover the child’s school type and district?
- Has a revised circular replaced the earlier calendar?
- Are extra Saturdays designated as working days?
- What is the first date pupils must attend again?
Children’s Day on 14 November is not a general holiday. A school may hold activities, while another may already be on its notified vacation.
Use November 2026 school holidays as a planning reference, then confirm attendance dates through the school’s official app, website or written circular.
FAQs
Are November school holidays the same across India?
No. State orders, district circulars and individual school calendars determine closures. A festival listed in a national or bank calendar does not automatically close every school.
When is Bihar’s November 2026 school break?
The published Bihar education calendar schedules the Diwali-to-Chhath break from 7 to 17 November, with another holiday on 24 November. Private-school families should confirm their own calendar.
Will Tamil Nadu schools close on 9 November?
Yes. Tamil Nadu has announced 9 November as an additional holiday for educational institutions. The compensating working day is Saturday, 28 November, under the same announcement.
Is Chhath Puja a school holiday throughout India?
No. The festival falls on Sunday, 15 November, but school closures depend on regional orders. Jharkhand’s reported government-school calendar includes Monday, 16 November, for morning observances.
Are schools closed on Children’s Day?
Children’s Day falls on Saturday, 14 November. It is not a general school holiday; schools may organise celebrations or follow their existing Saturday and vacation arrangements.
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