Diwali 2026 school holidays: Why some states may have a longer break even though Diwali falls on a Sunday | Today’s news
After the Durga Puja, Dussehra, Bathukamma (Telangana) and Golu (Tamil Nadu) festivals, school students are in for another vacation as November 2026 begins. The month is packed with festivals like Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja (Bihar) and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Diwali falling on Sunday (November 8) means no extra holiday for many employees. But in many states, students can get a longer break through it. While some states have planned extended Diwali holidays, 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 in the 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) and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Martyrdom Day (Gazetted Holiday)
• November 27 (Friday): Kanakadasa Jayanti (Karnataka)
Apart from these festivals, different states may also celebrate holidays during regional festivals in November. 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 24: Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti
Punjab
November 1: New Punjab Day
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
Assam
November 1: Kuki Chavang Kut
November 7: Wangala Festival
November 8: Kali Puja & Diwali
November 19: One Raghav Moran Divas
(These holidays are as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.)
Goa
November 11: Bhaubij (limited holiday)
Odisha
November 24: Purnima in money
West Bengal
November 11: Bhratridwitiya
Uttar Pradesh
November 8: Diwali
November 8: Narak Chaturdashi
November 9: Govardhan Puja
November 11: Bhai Dooj / Chitragupta Jayanti
November 16: Veerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom Day
November 24: Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima
Sikkim
November 1: Lhabab Duechen
November 9: Laxmi Puja (Deepawali)
November 10: Laxmi Puja (Deepawali)
November 11: Laxmi Puja (Deepawali)
November 23: Birth Anniversary of Shri Satya Sai Baba
