October 2026 brings a packed holiday stretch across India, but closures are not uniform. Gandhi Jayanti falls on Friday, October 2, while Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 20. Central Government offices list both as gazetted holidays. Banks follow RBI’s state-wise calendar, while schools follow state, board and institution schedules.
That difference is important. A bank may be closed in Kolkata but open elsewhere, while one school can begin its Dussehra break days before another. Diwali falls on November 8 this year, so the main Deepavali holiday is outside October.
Key Highlights
- October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti and a nationwide bank holiday; Central Government offices are also closed.
- October 20 is the main Central Government Dussehra holiday, with bank closures across most states.
- Regional bank holidays cluster from October 17 to 23 around Durga Puja, Dussehra and Dasain.
- Some schools get longer festival breaks, particularly in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
- UPI, mobile banking and net banking generally remain available when branches are shut.
October 2026 Holiday List: The Dates To Mark
The official Central Government schedule is available through the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan’s published 2026 holiday document. Bank customers should check the RBI bank-holiday calendar for their regional office before visiting a branch.
| Date | Holiday Or Closure | Who May Be Closed |
| October 2, Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | Banks nationwide, Central Government offices, most schools |
| October 10, Saturday | Mahalaya Amavasya | Regional observance; second Saturday for banks nationwide |
| October 17, Saturday | Maha Saptami | Regional banks and schools |
| October 19, Monday | Maha Ashtami/Maha Navami/Ayudha Puja | Many banks and schools in eastern and southern states |
| October 20, Tuesday | Dussehra/Vijayadashami | Central Government offices, most banks, many schools |
| October 21-23 | Vijaya Dasami/Durga Puja/Dasain | Additional regional closures |
| October 26, Monday | Valmiki Jayanti/Laxmi Puja/Accession Day | Selected states and Union Territories |
| October 29, Thursday | Karwa Chauth | Restricted or regional holiday in some locations |
| October 31, Saturday | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti | Bank holiday in Gujarat |
Current RBI-linked listings show October 20 as a bank holiday in every state except Manipur and Sikkim. October 21 adds closures in Tripura, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal.
Bank Holidays In October 2026 Are Not The Same Across India
The common mistake is counting every national holiday as a holiday for every branch. RBI holidays are regional. Banks also close on the second and fourth Saturdays, apart from Sundays.
October 10 is the second Saturday and October 24 is the fourth. Sundays fall on October 4, 11, 18 and 25. Festival holidays are added according to the RBI regional office.
Customers needing cheque work, locker access or branch paperwork should watch October 19-23 closely. Durga Puja, Dussehra and Dasain create consecutive regional closures in several states. Most routine digital transactions can still be completed through UPI, banking apps and net banking.
School Holidays Could Stretch Much Longer Around Dussehra
School calendars vary even more. Current state-wise schedules report Telangana’s Dussehra break from October 10 to 22, a 13-day stretch, and Andhra Pradesh’s from October 10 to 21. West Bengal has a longer Durga Puja-linked break reported from October 15 to 26 for many institutions.
Tamil Nadu’s quarter-break runs into October 4, followed by festival holidays around October 19-20. Kerala schools may observe Puja and Vijayadashami holidays around October 19-21. Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR also have closures around Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, though CBSE, ICSE and private-school calendars can differ.
Parents should treat state lists as a guide rather than the final notice. Exams, district orders and school-specific working Saturdays can change the effective holiday period.
Government Office Holidays And The Best Long-Weekend Windows
For Central Government administrative offices, October 2 and October 20 are the two main gazetted holidays this month. Because October 2 falls on Friday, employees with Saturday-Sunday weekends get a three-day break.
Dussehra is Tuesday, October 20. Since Monday, October 19 is also observed for Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, or Ayudha Puja, some employees and students may get a four-day Saturday-to-Tuesday stretch, depending on the local calendar.
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti on October 26 and Karwa Chauth on October 29 can appear in restricted or regional lists rather than nationwide closures. Employees should check their department’s notification before assuming a day off.
Before booking travel or delaying branch work, verify dates through the RBI holiday page, the relevant state department and the school or office circular.
FAQs
Is October 2, 2026, A Bank Holiday Across India?
Yes. Gandhi Jayanti falls on Friday, October 2, and banks across states and Union Territories are scheduled to remain closed for the national observance.
Are Government Offices Closed On Dussehra 2026?
Central Government offices list Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20, as a gazetted holiday. State offices can follow separate notified festival and regional calendars.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There In October 2026?
There is no single total for every branch. Sundays, second and fourth Saturdays apply broadly, while festival closures vary according to the RBI regional calendar.
Will Schools Remain Closed For The Entire Dussehra Week?
Not everywhere. Some states have extended autumn or Puja breaks, while other schools close only on selected festival dates listed in their academic calendars.
Is Diwali Included In The October 2026 Holiday Calendar?
No. Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, so the main Deepavali bank, school and government-office closures will largely appear in November schedules.
Bank Holiday Updates You Should Know
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